Workshop Visit - The Milliner

Here are pictures of a millinery studio/boutique I stumbled upon during my travels in Portland, Oregon.

Above is a semi-finished hat, with its brim and crown formed. All that is left to do is to sew on a hat band and decorative ribbon.

This hat started out as a shapeless piece of wool felt which was formed over a wooden block with steam and pins, a process called "blocking''.

Blocks come in all shapes and sizes, and in turn this translates to hats. A blockmaker skilled in woodwork and design is a valuable asset to a milliner as blocks give hats their shape.

With thanks to Dayna Pinkham of Pinkham Millinery.