How to Make a Fedora Hat
Online video course with Elena Shvab
Learn how to create a classic felt fedora with a modern twist of hand shaping the crown to achieve bespoke and unique shapes in this online video course by Elena Shvab Millinery.
Using a standard dome-shaped block and steam, you’ll learn how to create a variety of fedora styles, allowing you to design individual and distinctive hats. This technique encourages creativity while keeping your material and tool investment minimal.
This course is beginner-friendly and requires no prior experience. By the end, you’ll have your own handmade fedora and the confidence to continue exploring millinery and creating your own designs.
Whether you're just starting your millinery journey or want to expand your skills, this course gives you a solid foundation and the confidence to design from home—at your own pace. Plus, you’ll receive a detailed materials guide PDF and have access to tutor support whenever you need help.
In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll be guided through the full process, from preparing and blocking the felt to shaping, trimming, and finishing your hat to a professional standard.
The course covers key techniques including blocking, hand shaping the crown, and adding finishing details such as the sweatband and decorative hat band. A materials guide PDF is also included to support your learning.
What you’ll need:
Watch a preview of the course and the Materials Guide video
What you’ll learn:
In this 90-minute course, you’ll receive clear, easy-to-follow guidance as you are taken through each step in detail, with practical tips and techniques you can use again and again:
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Learn what tools, materials, and hat blocks you need
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How to correctly prepare hat blocks and felt materials before blocking
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How to stiffen the felt so it keeps its shape
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Blocking and shaping techniques
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How to remove the hat from the block correctly
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Steaming and hand shaping the crown to achieve creative results
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Stitching a Petersham sweatband
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Decorating the hat with a classic bow hat band
What you'll get:
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90 minutes of video content with easy-to-follow guidance
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Unlimited access — learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your home
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Contact your tutor anytime if you have questions
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Includes a detailed PDF material guide
How it works:
After purchasing the course, you will gain access to download a PDF file containing a link to the video course and a detailed list of materials required for the course.