A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Choose a Hat Crown Block

Looking for the perfect hat crown block? You’ve come to the right place! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the ideal crown block for your hat-making journey. Whether you’re a seasoned milliner or a beginner, we’ll cover sizes, designs, and practical tips to make the process simple and stress-free. With our expertise, you’ll feel confident navigating the options and finding the perfect block to bring your creative vision to life. Let’s get started!
Why choosing the right hat crown block is important
Choosing the right hat crown block is a vital first step in hat making, as it lays the foundation for your design and influences the final shape, style, and fit. A well-suited block enhances both aesthetics and functionality, ensuring your hat is unique, comfortable, and aligned with your creative vision. High-quality blocks enable precise craftsmanship, making it easier to shape materials like felt or straw and achieve a polished finish. Conversely, the wrong block can result in poor fit, structural issues, and frustration. Taking the time to select the perfect block is an investment in your hat-making success.
Understanding Different Types of Hat Crown Blocks
Hat crown blocks come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each suited to specific styles and needs. Wooden blocks are popular for their durability and ability to hold their shape, making them ideal for long-lasting, high-quality hats. They’re also great for creative projects since you can pin materials directly onto them. Plastic blocks are lightweight and budget-friendly, perfect for beginners or experimenting with new designs, but you can not pin them and they are more susceptible to heat. Metal blocks, though less common and pricier, are mostly used in mass production.
Crown blocks also vary in shape, like dome, flat top, or specific designs such as porkpie or fedora. Dome blocks are versatile for styles like fedoras or cloches, while flat-top blocks are perfect for boater hats. More unique shapes cater to avant-garde designs, giving you plenty of options to match your vision.
Size is another key consideration—a block that’s too small makes an uncomfortable hat, while one too large can compromise structure. Choosing the right size ensures a great fit and enhances the hat-making experience. Understanding these factors empowers you to select the perfect crown block for your creative needs.
Step 1: Crown Block Design: What's Your Hat Style?
The first thing to consider is the style of hat you’re planning to create. Are you dreaming of chic cloches, timeless fedoras, breezy boater hats, or something entirely unique? While one crown block can’t cover every style, some are surprisingly versatile.
Here’s a quick rundown:
– Cloche Hats: Typically need a crown block with a domed top. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try a flat top with a rounded edge, a porkpie style, or even a slanted top for that extra flair.
– Boater Hats: Go for a classic flat top with straight sides. Think about how tall you want the crown—classic style or something different – this can really set your design apart.
– Open Crown Hats: These are all about simplicity—domed top, oval outline, and endless versatility for summer and winter hats alike. Open crown hat blocks can be used for all kinds of brims and materials.
– Fedora Hats: Ah, the classic fedora! These have dimples and a teardrop-shaped crown (or diamond, square, or even heart-shaped if you’re feeling creative). You can either manually shape this style from an open crown block or use a fedora-specific crown block with a presser to nail that teardrop shape with ease.
You might also want to consider a set of crown blocks with interchangeable tips and extension collar blocks. This allows you to mix and match different heights, giving you the flexibility to create multiple designs with just one set. It’s a budget-friendly option, too, as sets are usually more affordable than buying each block separately.
Pro Tip: An open crown block is one of the most versatile tools you can have. Use it for cloches, sun hats, fedoras, telescope crowns, and even creative free-form designs. It’s a real game-changer!
Step 2: Crown Block Circumference: Getting the Right Size
Size is everything!
- For personal projects, just measure the head size of the wearer—easy peasy.
- For customers, consider the most common size. A 22.5” (57cm) circumference is a popular choice.
Boater Hat Hack: If your boater crown is shallow (7cm or less), you’ll need a slightly smaller block to ensure a snug fit.
Also, think about sweatbands:
- Petersham ribbons? No size adjustments needed.
- Leather sweatbands? Add an extra 1cm to the crown circumference to account for the thickness.
Step 3: Crown Block Outline: Oval vs. Round
The outline of your crown block matters. Here’s why:
- Oval Blocks: These mimic the natural shape of the human head, making your hats more comfortable to wear. All our oval blocks have a standard oval shape, but we can create custom slim or round ovals to suit your needs.
- Round Blocks: Sometimes, a circular outline is just what your design calls for. These are also a cost-effective option and work well with flexible materials like wool felt or Panama straw. Stiffer materials (like sinamay or leather) will not adjust to an oval shape that easily.
Note. Fedora hats are always made on oval hat blocks.
Step 4: Crown Block Height: Think Style and Function
Crown height depends on the hat style and how much room you need for shaping:
- Cloche: Typically 7–9cm tall.
- Boater Hats: Around 7–9cm too, though shallower crowns are perfect for vintage-inspired women’s hats (think 18th century wide brim straw hats).
- Open Crown Hats: minimum crown block height 13-14cm and up to 18cm for hats with taller crowns. This is a matter of personal style and preference. Some hat makers may require more more extra height to manipulate the blocked material into the desired design while some will need just minimal addition to the height. you’re manually shaping the top (like for fedoras), you’ll need a taller block—13–18cm is ideal.
Step 5: Collar Blocks/Extension Blocks: Your Best Friend
Still unsure about height? No problem! Collar blocks (also called extension blocks) are your go-to solution. These nifty add-ons screw onto your crown block, giving you extra height (1–4cm) whenever you need it. Versatile and super practical!
Choosing the right crown block is a crucial step in hat making, shaping both the quality and comfort of your designs. By considering factors like style, circumference, height, and material, you ensure your block aligns perfectly with your creative vision. Whether you go for an oval or circular outline or add extensions for versatility, thoughtful choices will set the stage for stunning creations. With this guide, you’re ready to make informed decisions and let your creativity shine. Happy hat making!
Choose your hat crown block
How did you choose your first crown hat blocks? Do you have some experience to share? Leave a comment below, we and other fellow hat makers would love to hear your story.