From the Neck Up
An Illustrated Guide to
Hatmaking
By Denise Dreher
200 pages. 8 1/2 x 11
ISBN: 978-0941082006
Black and white photos and illustrations
Price: $30
Used as a textbook in college classes, costume shops and fashion institutes, From the Neck Up: An Illustrated Guide to Hatmaking has become a classic in the field of period and modern hatmaking. It’s the perfect reference book for learning millinery, the art of making custom designed felt, straw and fabric hats by hand.
Published by Madhatter Press in 1981
Email: info@hatbook.com
Phone: 612-822-1102
The Classic Millinery Textbook Trusted by
Costume Designers and Teachers for Forty Years
Table of Contents
The Preface
The Lessons
Designing the Hat
Materials and Equipment
Stitches and Techniques
Designing the Pattern
Constructing the Foundation
Covering the Shape
Facing Brims and Binding Edges
Trimming the Hat
Finishing the Interior
Working with Felt
Working with Straw
Making a Headblock
Draping a Turban
Renovations and Alterations
The Patterns
The Glossary
The Bibliography
Photos and Illustrations
All of the hatmaking techniques are explained step-by-step and clearly illustrated by more than four hundred photographs and drawings. Professional millinery supplies, methods, materials and equipment are described and illustrated in detail with substitutes and improvised methods included for milliners with limited resources and budgets.
Patterns
Included in the book are sixty 1/4″ scale historical and modern hat patterns for men and women including Classical, Byzantine, Medieval, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Baroque, Restoration, Edwardian, Victorian and Modern.
Millinery Supplies
The book is further enhanced by a complete list of millinery supplies needed to stock a professional workroom. Addresses of suppliers and additional resources can be found on this website.
Over 60,000 Copies Sold
No Experience Necessary
Even if you’ve never held a needle and thread before, you can, through careful application of the lessons in this book, teach yourself how to do hand sewing and make your own handmade hats.
From the Neck Up: An Illustrated Guide to Hatmaking will teach you not only how to make new hats, but also how to restore and remodel vintage old ones. By studying this book you will learn how to make a well-fitting hat pattern, construct and cover a foundation, make your own trim, and insert a lining. You will be introduced to the more advanced millinery methods of hat design, manipulating felt, sewing straw and draping fabric. In addition, you will learn valuable professional tricks used to make hats that will amaze you with their simplicity and effective results.
Felt and straw hats can be easily cleaned and re-shaped, other hats can be re-trimmed and their imperfections disguised by a bit of veil or a feather. Once you learn to recognize quality materials you will be able to pick up old hats at thrift stores or garage sales and remodel them for personal use, fashion or costuming.
With a well researched glossary and a comprehensive bibliography, this book is an invaluable guide for experienced and amateur milliners interested in designing, making or wearing hats, whether for theater, film, formal or street wear. It is especially useful for fashion design, bridal wear, theatrical costumes, historical reenactment, science fiction, fantasy costumes and fancy dress headwear.
Money Back Guarantee
All books are brand new, perfect bound, paperback books. Each item is individually shrink wrapped and shipped direct from the publisher. If you are not completely satisfied, you may return the undamaged book within two weeks for a full refund minus the cost of shipping. Please note that we no longer sell the spiral bound version.
Discounts Available
Are you teaching a millinery class? Hosting a hat making party? Would you like to sell the hat book at your next event? Discounts are available for bookstores, distributors, teachers and groups of all sizes. All discounted orders must be pre-paid. We do not accept purchase orders. Return privileges do not apply to discounted orders. Please contact Madhatter Press for more information.
2 - 9 copies: 20% discount
10 or more copies: 40% discount