How to Make Berets - A Milliner's Guide to Sewing French Hats

By Read Books Ltd.

Beret-like headwear has been worn across Europe since pre-Roman times. Mass production began in 19th century France, Spain and Italy, countries with which it remains associated.
This classic work contains all of the information you will require to make and finish a beret of your own.
Contents include: “How to Make a Felt Beret”, “The Beret”, “Beret”, “Materials”, “Measurements Required”, “The Beret in Strip Felt”, “The Beret from a Beret Hood”, “A Velvet Beret”, and “The Straw Beret”. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on millinery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: May 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781473390492

Book preview

To make a felt beret

You can buy a beret-shaped wood block but it is quite possible to do without one by making a sparterie shape and using that as a block. The shape must be wired and painted with spartalac and it is a good idea to pad the shape when finished so that it will withstand the pressure of pulling a felt over it.

As has been said earlier, there are special hoods blocked into beret shapes, but piece felt can also be used. In the latter case it is necessary to have either one or two seams running round the beret. The sparterie shape for each of the berets illustrated will be made in the same manner; the difference lies in the size of the beret, the amount of dome given to the tip and the width of the sideband. Experiment will tell what is necessary at each of these points. The large beret worn straight has a somewhat flat top, and the sideband is narrow all round. The other two berets are made on a sparterie shape with a more domed tip and the sideband is narrower on the side where the beret dips.

To make sparterie shape for beret: Take two circles of sparterie, damp one and shape over suitable convex surface. Cut a small centre opening in the other circle and notch. Damp a 4 in. wide bias strip for sideband and pull round on ribbon board, making a soft half-roll which can be sewn to the two circles (Fig. 48). Cut the sideband according to the beret you want, either the same all round or deeper at one side (Fig. 49). When sideband is adjusted, join with diagonal seam and then stitch to top and lower circle.