With the exception of the noted ocassional use of machine sewing, most of our hatmaking techniques pre-date the English industrial revolution. The trade has separated into the two fields of feltmaking and hatmaking, but the methods used here pre-date the factory hatmaking system and early machine-made hats. W e do not make our own felt, but all other aspects of the work use methods which date from the time during which the feltmaker was also the hat blocker and hat finisher.

NOTE ABOUT BLOCKING                          

All felt hats are stretched over wooden shapes called hat blocks which give the hats their individual shapes. Prior to 1817 all hat blocks were lathe turned and, therefore, round. When a wig is worn, the resultant shape of the head is more or less round. If a round blocked hat needs to fit an oval head, the head opening of the hat is stretched to form the required oval shape. This also gives the characteristic curve to the brim of round blocked top hats. After 1817, oval hat blocks more closely approximating the natural shape of the head were introduced and an overlap occurred during which round and oval blocking were used. Certain hat styles can be found late in the 19th century which existed in the early 19th century. Certain hats were made on round blocks as late as the 1850's and many hats (Beaver top hats especially) were often passed down several generations.