Where to get felt?

[rebelgtp]

Hello all, lately after a recent move I have found myself with quite a bit of free time. I have wanted for a long time to try my hand at making my own hat. I have found a block that will work for me and I have found just about everything else (sweats, liners etc) I just can't seem to find a supplier for rabbit fur felts that would be good for mens hats. Sure I can find plenty that sell for womens hats, however most are brightly colored or have odd prints and are wool felt.

I figured if there are going to be people that can help me find some felts it would have to be you guys. If all goes well with my own I plan on making one for my Grandpa as well, fitting considering he is the one that got me into wearing hats other than baseball caps lol . So if you can help me out please let me know. Thanks.

 

[L HATLEY]

MAKE A HAT

try" Hat supply.com "see if they would help you out.

 

[Lamont Cranston]

Felt

If I had a question about hatmaking I would seek the advice of Art Fawcett at
Vintage Silhouettes.

I am not suggesting that he would reveal his sources, Secrets of the guild and all that.
However; I am sure he could give you some good advice.
His hats are fantastic and he is a great guy.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

I found this supplier of fur felt blanks.

http://www.centerstagecostumes.com/Catalog/Pirate_HatBlanks.htm

Since you have a block, in the right size, you can use the unsized blanks. Needless to say, wool is cheaper, or you could re-make a used fur felt hat. With a good soak, you can stretch up to two sizes on your wood block (i.e. 6 7/8 to 7 1/8). Enjoy the hobby!

 

[besdor]

Here in New York , there is Manny's Millenery Supply . They are on 38th st , I think. You can search for them online. They stock bodies of all types which you can practice on.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[rebelgtp]

thanks for the suggestions folks, i have tried emailing hatsupply but they seemed to kinda skirt around my questions in the reply i got. as for manny's it seems like at least for their website you have to have a business license to buy bodies from them [huh] so i sent them an email to see if if an individual can buy from them as well.

i did also receive an email with the name of a person to contact at winchester hat corp and a phone number, however i'm sure they have minimums and the like for orders. i'll try calling them later today.

 

[Feraud]

..or you could re-make a used fur felt hat. With a good soak, you can stretch up to two sizes on your wood block (i.e. 6 7/8 to 7 1/8). Enjoy the hobby!

If all else fails, this is a very good idea.

 

[besdor]

If you walk into Manny's with cash he will sell you anything. As for Winchester, I have bought single bodies, but I am a retailer so it may be different. They might not sell to a private customer .




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[nattily_attired]

I would't touch that line with a ten foot pole.