Crafting a Fedora
With Robert Gault of Wolfbrae Custom Hatters
Learn how to craft your own fedora, with this comprehensive course, using traditional hatting techniques.
This easy-to-follow, on-demand video course is split into 8 in-depth modules. With unlimited access, you can work through the course as many times as you like to review, recap and build on the skills you gain.
The course is asynchronous; you can take it at any time and go through it at your own pace. It will work on any device, so you can even watch it on the go!
This wealth of information will benefit both beginners and more experienced makers, with insight and valuable knowledge from Canadian hatter Robert Gault of Wolfbrae Custom Hatters. Once you are enrolled, you will also be able to email Robert directly to ask questions.
Apply these tried and tested techniques to propel your hat designs to the next level.
What You Will Learn
Module 1: Getting Started
Module 2: The Blocking Process
Module 3: Pouncing the Felt
Module 4: Adding the Sweatband
Module 5: Lining the Hat
Module 6: The Flanging Process
Module 7: Trimming the Hat
Module 8: The Finishing Touches
What You Will Need
You don’t need to have a complete hat making workshop at your disposal to complete this course. Robert has identified the tools and materials that are essential for creating a custom fedora and suggests inexpensive alternatives to specialist tools whenever possible.
We have partnered with Guy Morse-Brown Hat Blocks to create some specially curated bundles which include some of the tools and materials that you will need to complete this course.
There are two options available:
Using these bundles is not a requirement but it is a great option if you don’t want to spend the time and effort required to source everything individually.
SIZE ADVICE
When buying your blocks (crown, brim/flange and band stretcher block), matching oval profiles and sizes that work together is crucial. For clarification, Guy Morse-Brown Hat Blocks offer the following sizing example:
If you want a hat to fit a 58cm head size, then you will need equipment in the following sizes:
-
- Crown: 59cm
- Brim: 61cm
- Band Stretcher Block: 58cm
These tolerances allow for felt thickness and sewing in a leather sweatband.
The ovals also need to relate to each other – eg. all components are regular oval form (OVAL 36).
Already enrolled?
I have always loved hats and they have always played some part in my life since a young age. Recently, I decided to dive head-first into hat making. What surprised me was the sparse educational material available on men’s hatting. The basics are out there, but the details are always missing. This course featuring Robert Gault fills those gaps for me. I loved the methodical demonstrations of every step accompanied by real-time explanation of the process.
This course has affirm the direction I take with some steps, but has also gently corrected the way I approach many others. I feel much more confident in the methods of and the approach to hatting.
A classic fedora is so fundamental, and Mr. Gualt’s course will set you on a strong foundation for hatting. I can’t recommend this course highly enough and hope to see more courses like this in the future.
Thank you!
I am disabled and can’t attend live classes! I found this course on the mark! Gave enough instruction to really help some one improve their hat making skills or to see how someone else addresses issues. Kept my interest as I progressed through each lesson. Will look forward to future lessons. Would love to see a section at the end to ask questions to the instructor.
I’ve just completed the fedora course and wanted to let you all know how brilliant I think it is!
Even as someone who has been making fedoras for quite some time and somewhat self taught, I found it really useful, informative and full of great tips on how to elevate the final hat.
Really easy to follow, great course notes and fantastic value for money.
Thank you to everyone involved in making and distributing such a great course. Can’t recommend it enough!
I have to begin by telling you how much I appreciate your hat course online! I retired from my job 3 years ago, and have retired to a great interest in hat making! While very much a novice, I am eager to learn all I can comprehend about this amazing art form! Every module has offered a great learning curve for me! I am so grateful!!!
My dear friend, has been a great deal of my inspiration, as he loves owning and wearing hats. Although he hasn’t gotten into hat making, he consistently encourages me and has allowed me to create some for him.
I highly encourage anyone who is considering this course study to do so. I believe, as I have discovered, you will be extremely pleased with the content and instructor’s expertise in detail. One can truly tell the passion Mr. Gault has for creating a hat and sharing his knowledge with us!
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I have watched multiple YouTube shorts, and I’ve read articles online on how to make a fedora.
But seeing this more detailed video course helped me understand the process so much more.
Belling or drumming the sweat, stitch work and bow making all became so much more clear after this.
Hopefully there will be expansions to the course to learn brim binding and more advanced skills.