5 Top tips for reviving damaged hats and fascinators

“Help, how do I fix my squashed hat or fascinator?”

It’s a question I’ve been asked a few times. How many of you have got hats and fascinators lurking in boxes that are too bashed or squashed to wear, but that you just aren’t ready to say good bye to them yet? I’m betting quite a lot of you. Perhaps you picked one up second hand with the thought that you could adapt it but you just haven’t got around to it?

Well this could be just the blog post for you. I’m trying something a little different this time and instead of giving you copious amounts to read I thought it would be easier to just show you so I’ve created some videos instead. I’m not big on the whole makeup for camera thing, I’m a little bit more take me as you find me so apologies in advance.

Before we get started, the important bits

I’ll preface this post by stating that…

1) These are not necessarily the “Pro” techniques, but they are using things that you’ll be armed with the equipment you’ll have at home, no particularly fancy tools or gadgets, as you’ll see.

2) If your hat is particularly precious, valuable or sentimental then speak to a professional.

3) Follow the instructions and take care with steam, I don’t want anyone scalded.

4) Don’t apply too much steam to items that are fixed together with hot glue gun (sadly most mass manufactured things are) as too much will cause the glue to weaken and materials to come loose. You can identify hot glue as it is very hard and opaque.

5) Clean hands are essential, you don’t want dirt and oils seeping in to and staining materials.

Tip 1 - How can you revive a squashed silk flower?

I must stress here, not to apply too much steam so that it causes the flower looses all shape, as this can’t be regained, easy does it. Ensure that you support the fabric whilst it cools if necessary.

Do you have a hat or fascinator at home that needs repairing or reviving? This simple tutorial shows you how you can revive silk flowers on a hat or fascinat...

Tip 2 - How can you revive squashed feathers on a hat or fascinator?

Please take care with the steam and remember what I said about hot glue, not too much steam if in doubt. Ensure that you support the feather whilst they cool, if you lie them on a top to cool, they’ll end up flat on one side.

Do you have a hat of fascinator at home that needs repairing or reviving? This simple tutorial shows you how you can revive squashed or limp feather trims. P...

Tip 3 - How can you revive squashed hats or fascinators?

Please take care with the steam and remember what I said about hot glue, not too much steam if in any doubt. Ensure that you support the hat or fascinator whilst it cools, if you lie them on a top to cool they’ll end up flat on one side.

Do you have a hat or fascinator at home that needs repairing or reviving? This simple tutorial shows you how you can revive a lightly misshapen hat or fascin...

Tip 4 - How can you stiffen soft hats or fascinators?

No steam for this bit. At risk of repeating myself, ensure that you support the hat or fascinator whilst it drys, if you lie them on a top to dry or they’ll end up flat on one side.

Do you have a hat or fascinator at home that needs repairing or reviving? This simple tutorial shows you how you can revive a sinamay hat or fascinator base ...

Tip 5 - How can you repair squashed sinamay loops on hats or fascinators?

No steam for this bit either, though if needs must then you could. And again, ensure that you support the hat or fascinator whilst it cools, if you lie them on a top to cool they’ll end up flat on one side.

Do you have a hat or fascinator at home that needs repairing or reviving? This simple tutorial shows you how you can revive squashed sinamay loop trim on a h...

Well, I think that’s about it for now but if you have any more questions you’d like me to answer then please do get in touch and I can compile another post or answer you directly.

Have you enjoyed the video format?

Until next time

Harriet x