Cloche Hat Part 2: Well Ventilated Rooms Are Valuable.

Also, we bought a house.  More on that at the end.

The hat FINALLY dried.  I love that the instructions told me to put the hat in my drying closet.  Because everyone has a special closet to dry hats, naturally.  I took the pins out and removed the excess felt.

 

That done, it was time to remove the hat from the hat block.  I'd read that some people had a hard time doing so without ruining the shape of the hat.  Mine slid right off.

Next I had to apply felt hat stiffener to the entire inside of the hat.  I was dubious that it would really help hold the shape of the hat, but I gathered the tools anyway.

Paintbrush?  Check.  Container to hold the liquid?  Check.  Felt hat stiffener?  Check.  This was the first time I opened the bottle of stiffener and HOLY CRAP.  No wonder you're supposed to use it in a well ventilated room!  By the time I was finished coating the inside of the hat I was seeing unicorns playing Candy Land.  The fumes.  The fumes are no joke.

Hat stiffener applied, I put the hat back on the block and waited for it to dry.  THANK GOD it only took an hour.  Yes I'm impatient, especially when it comes to trying something new.  I was completely wrong to doubt the hat stiffener.  It does exactly what it advertises.  Take a look.

Very unfloppy hat.  I salute you, felt hat stiffener!  Maybe the next time I use you I'll get to see who won that game of Candy Land.

The next step is to sew wire onto the brim in order for it to hold its shape.  See wire above.  I had two choices for wire placement.  I could either sew it right to the edge of the brim and then later finish it off by covering it with ribbon OR I could sew it half an inch from the brim and later fold the brim over to cover it.  Originally I was going to use the ribbon method but I didn't like the color of ribbon I ordered at the suggestion of the supply company.  So half an inch in was the only option.

This took A LONG TIME.  You can see the chalk lines I used to measure the half inch so the wire would be even.  Plus sewing thru wool felt and hat stiffener is tough going and takes a long time.  You have to make sure the wire is lined up with the chalk lines so you don't get a wonky brim.  The further along I go with this project, the more respect and understanding I have of people who do this for a living.  There's a reason traditional cloche hats are pricey.  The one that I own was $40 and it doesn't have near the intricacy and detail of of this hat.  Milliners, I salute you!

Now the house.  SQUEE!!!  Our bid was finally accepted on a gorgeous house.  Big rooms, all hardwood floors, a huge tub for long soaks, newly renovated with a lovely deck and back yard.  And a basketball hoop in the driveway!  Love.  House hunting was a long process and the negotiations went on for over a month.  Kudos to our realtor who knows her stuff, made good suggestions, and was ready to walk away at one point with us.  I learned so much about the realty game and know, without a doubt, it's a career I NEVER want.  Too lucrative.

I am keeping my excitement in check though.  We still have to get thru the home inspection.  But still I can't help dream planning paint colors and rugs and furniture.  It will be so nice not to rent anymore.  Fingers crossed.