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:
-
Learn what tools, materials, and hat blocks you need
-
How to correctly prepare hat blocks and felt materials before blocking
-
How to stiffen the felt so it keeps its shape
-
Blocking and shaping techniques
-
How to remove the hat from the block correctly
-
Steaming and hand shaping the crown to achieve creative results
-
Stitching a Petersham sweatband
-
Decorating the hat with a classic bow hat band
What you'll get:
​
-
90 minutes of video content with easy-to-follow guidance
-
Unlimited access — learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your home
-
Contact your tutor anytime if you have questions
-
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.