Definitions and Information
This page should hold the information you need to make an informed choice of any of my products. The descriptions of what makes a particular kind of hat, the product content, and the definitions of some of the words I use to describe some of my products are pretty much my own vernacular. I think I've used language that everyone would understand, but if you don't, this is the place where I'll try to clear it up
Tea Hats
A tea hat has a slightly longer brim in the front - usually no more than an inch or so more than the back - and the edge is lightly wired to help it maintain it's shape. It's made in two parts, the crown and the brim, then attached at the seam. My hats are almost all made of Eco Friend(TM) polyester felt because I'm allergic to wool and polyfelt is readily available in my area.
Lady Hats
Lady hats are usually made from a single piece of felt, the brim is usually the same width all around or less than 1/2" narrower in the back. They come with a glued in hat band of bias fabric and can be stretched slightly but not more than 1/4" in diameter. If the brim is lined with fabric it has a bias binding on the edge but is unwired. If it's all felt, the edge is a cut edge and unbound.
Fedora
Typically, this is an "Indiana Jones" type hat. They are constructed of a lot of different types of cloth, usually cotton or a cotton blen, although I have made a couple out of brocade as a special order. They're made with a fused in lining of broadcloth or cotton and the interior seams are zigzag finished. The seam where the brim and crown meet is also finished with bias tape which is then attached to the inside of the crown. The brim is typically between 2 1/2 -3" wide, lightly wired to hold its shape, and finished with bias binding.
If you choose to have a special order from your own fabric, it takes 1 1/4 yds of the outside fabric and 1/2 yd of lining fabric.
If you choose to have a special order from your own fabric, it takes 1 1/4 yds of the outside fabric and 1/2 yd of lining fabric.
Cloche
Pronounced klosh (long O as in close), this is a tightly fitting hat that has a very small flair to the brim. It's made of felt, lightly wired and finished with bias binding. The front brim is slightly longer (about 1/2") than the back and it comes with a hat band to help ensure that it doesn't stretch more than 1/2 inch.
Hat bands can be made from grosgrain, satin or organza ribbon, bias fabric, lace or cording. They usually come without decoration, but a foofy is an easy way to make this little darling look as good from the back as it does from the front.
An excellent choice if you live in a windy area, the small brim doesn't catch much breeze and the close fit can help you stay warm in the winter.
Hat bands can be made from grosgrain, satin or organza ribbon, bias fabric, lace or cording. They usually come without decoration, but a foofy is an easy way to make this little darling look as good from the back as it does from the front.
An excellent choice if you live in a windy area, the small brim doesn't catch much breeze and the close fit can help you stay warm in the winter.
Foofy
The foofy is the decoration on your hat. It can be as wild and crazy as the one I've shown here or as simple and delicate as the blue forget-me-nots and ribbon on the pale blue hat pictured in the Tea Hats section.
It can have any combination of silk flowers, feathers, lace, ribbon (both silk and organza), berries, or even small birds or animals. A foofy is just plain fun or dramatic or simple, or anywhere in between. I've made hats that have a single grackle feather, an ostrich plume, or a pheasant feather as the foofy. In this example, I went all out and used silver lace, and fluffy feathers mixed with iridescent pics.
Foofies can be permanently attached or they can be detachable and applied with Super Slim velcro. When they aren't on the hat, the velcro can be covered with the hatband.
Foofies can be as wild or as mild as you want them. They're supposed to help you express your personality!
It can have any combination of silk flowers, feathers, lace, ribbon (both silk and organza), berries, or even small birds or animals. A foofy is just plain fun or dramatic or simple, or anywhere in between. I've made hats that have a single grackle feather, an ostrich plume, or a pheasant feather as the foofy. In this example, I went all out and used silver lace, and fluffy feathers mixed with iridescent pics.
Foofies can be permanently attached or they can be detachable and applied with Super Slim velcro. When they aren't on the hat, the velcro can be covered with the hatband.
Foofies can be as wild or as mild as you want them. They're supposed to help you express your personality!