Melody, a client in Pasadena asked me recently if the felt berets I had made for her in past years could be reblocked. The berets were a larger bouffant style as shown in the photos below. Melody wanted a smaller more compact hat style now.
The answer was yes! Good quality millinery felt will generally block into a smaller hat. We decided Hat Block #7007 would be the most suitable, a smart, defined shape.
I reblocked six existing berets along with three new colors and one in black parisisal straw. Melody's original berets did not have trim but the new hats would be embellished with a variety of trim details.
Flowers created with velvet leaves and a cluster of berries made of felt scrap knots form a corsage handstitched along the left side of the rust, chartreuse and red berets.
Stitched veining detail or creased felt leaves and pods cut from remaining scrap felt embellish the hunter green, orange spice and pewter berets.
Felt leaf cockades trim the burgundy, burgundy and orange spice berets.
A more dramatic and glittering trim for the Evening Beret.
The black parisisal straw beret is trimmed with 3 large straw braid leaves which are embellished with embroidered and matte sequin lace overlay.
I still have the wedding hat you created for me in 1994. It is carefully stored in the hope my daughter will someday wear for a special occasion.
You are the king of millinery Wayne. Truly an extraordinary talent in the field and one of the kindess people l know. Inspirational to boot. Honored to know you.
Exquisite absolutely gorgeous art. Gosh now I want a beret. Love all your hats Wayne. You are very talented.
Wow Wayne! What a fantastic blog post! I so enjoyed it and found it so inspirational. I love upcycling thrift store hats so it was especially interesting to me. If the felt is still perfect why not create something new? You are so talented and creative. I hope to see you soon!
Wayne, sometimes I want to WEEP when I see what you do - it really just touches me - your design sense, your skill. You are truly an artist. I knew you were good - then I looked at these Berets and...well - you've done it again, made me drool over another hat or two or three or...o heck - all of 'em!