Hello Judy, Thank you so much! I am very glad you like watching my process! 😊

Aww, thank you ❤️

Hi Rochelle! I'm so glad you are enjoying my videos 😊 yes, it is just personal preference. I prefer to just use steam precisely because spraying with water creates a gluey mess. I've always found that steaming was enough to shape the buckram, and it should dry faster too.

@@ByIlonaMillinery thanks so much for your reply. I’m definitely going to try steaming next time. Have a lovely weekend 😊

Of course! I can probably make this video for around July/August. I already have a video about "DIY hat block using expanding foam" if you are interested in that.

Hello! You might find this video helpful in deciding on what equipment to use for blocking: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rdqpg8ZzxLzPj4E.html

Hello Kristina! The domet I buy comes pre-glued from the manufacturers. If you can't find a "fusible" domet (fusible means pre-glued) then you can use something called "bond-a-web" which is an iron on glue. Sometimes it's used to hem curtains invisibly. I noticed from your name you might be Russian? If it's easier for you to comment in Russian, please do so! I can reply to you in Russian also 😊

@@ByIlonaMillinery thank you ❤️ Илона, ещё раз спасибо за качественный контент, очень интересно💃. Я хотела поинтересоваться, где вы изучали millinery и у какого мастера? Может это были курсы/ академия искусств либо самостоятельное обучение? Буду признательна если поделитесь этой информацией. Если удобней писать в личные сбщ, а не комментарии - дайте пожалуйста знать 🙃 Have a nice day

Я очень рада что вам интересно! У меня есть список курсов которые я брала на моём сайте: www.byilona.co.uk/about/ И там же есть список книжек которые я рекомендую. У меня в планах сделать видео про книжки в следующим году. Больше всего мне интересно всё пробовать самостоятельно. Иногда какая-то техника или идея не срабатывает, в таком случаи я не расстраиваюсь и просто пробую снова после перерыва! Я думаю что проще писать в личные сбщ на instagram - по сколько я могу пропустить комментарии.

@@ByIlonaMillinery спасибо большое за информацию! Я желаю вам успехов во всех экспериментах и начинаниях ❤️ и, конечно, буду ждать новые видео 🤓🤠

Hello, the "domet" is not water soluble - it can be "fusible". Fusible means that it can be stuck to another fabric or material. Domet fabric has a soft fleece like texture which softens the rough surface of the buckram. Domet that is not fusible can be sewn on to the blocked buckram using a needle and thread. I have got this video in which I touch on covering a buckram shape in silk velvet: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n6d9jM943Z2rg4E.html

@@ByIlonaMillinery llona is a genius! Such talent and generous in sharing her knowledge! I'm in heaven! Leah Allen

@@saltlifegull4091 Hello Leah! Thank you so much ❤️ I hope you've subscribed! I've got new videos coming every Sunday 😀

Hello! Thimbles take practice (and don't tell anyone, but I don't always wear them 😅) I am so glad you've found my videos 😊 Best of luck on your millinery journey ❤️

No adhesive. I think the adhesive is just bond-a-web fused to one side of the buckram - and it's unnecessary. 😊

@@ByIlonaMillinery thank you very much for your reply, dear Ilona!🤗❤

Hi there! You cannot put buckram in water - the stiffener that makes it hold it's shape will dissolve. This is precisely why I use steam to shape it rather than water from a spray bottle.

Hi Tracey, Yes of course! It's spelt "Domet". It's a nice soft thin-ish fabric with a fleece-like texture. You can find it "fusible" or "non-fusible" the former will stick to the buckram, and the latter you would have to stitch down. I am planning a few short videos soon on these various fabrics and materials associated with millinery during which I will give more detailed explanations. 😊

@@ByIlonaMillinery Great, thanks for your reply, looking forward to seeing more videos!

@@ByIlonaMillinery Can Fabric Fusion sold in fabric stores do the same thing? Oops, it's not fleece tho...it just holds fabric together.

Great work! What type of buckram is it? I have seen light millinery buckram without termoadhesive, thermo adhestive both sides..and other types. What is the thickness for this buckram? It is probably thermoadhesive as you are using hot air. Thanks x

Hi Bernice, the brand I use is "Bokeh". It's currently unavailable on Amazon, but if you look around I'm sure you can find something similar.

Hi Gail! Thank you for your question. Buckram is a stiffened cotton canvas material. It comes already stiffened - meaning that you do not need to stiffen it again after blocking, unless you deliberately want a firmer hat. "Fusible Buckram" is another type of buckram "fusible" means that the stiffened buckram has had a layer of bond-a-web applied. "Bond-a-web" is a type of glue that melts when heat is applied from an iron so that it can "fuse" or glue itself to another material. As for how long to leave on the block, it will depend on how wet your buckram was when blocked, and how warm your ambient environment is while it dries. 24 hours is a safe bet. You can try the "cheek test". To test if a material is dry, put your cheek to it. If it feels cold, it is still damp. If it feels room temperature it is dry. Hope all this helps! 😊

Hello, with the buckram it all depends on the buckram. It's up to you to experiment and decide how firm you want your hat to be. If you think 1 layer is enough stop there. If you've done 1 layer and feel that it needs more, add more. I personally follow the same process when using sinamay. My hat block in this video is made out of plaster. I am currently working on a video about how to make your own, which is due out shortly.

@@ByIlonaMillinery Will wait for the video, thanks

Hi Roxann, I have always wondered the same thing. Most of the vintage books I have don't mention anything about protecting the blocks, but I will double check later and get back to you on that. I have heard that they may have used tin foil. We also have to consider that in the case of blocking felt, quite often it wasn't stiffened in the same way as today. So there wasn't as much need to use clingfilm to prevent stikiness.

@@ByIlonaMillinery i wonder if they used a very fine cotton cloth that is slightly damp, or lightly waxed or oiled or something. Or maybe , which is more likely, they used nothing. Esp as they used Espartrie, as products we use today they didnt have. Modern buckrum and cinamay needs cling film, maybe espartrie didnt, and steaming a felt form over a block with cloth pinned over it would work just as well. We do it to protect the block...maybe due to the blocks being more prolific back then and based on fashion that changed quickly, they didnt feel the need to "protect" the block that we do now and thats why they were made of hard wood. just suggestions

Hello! The fabric is called "Domet" it is a soft covering that smooths the rough buckram. In America it's sometimes called "ice wool wadding". Any soft fabric will work just the same. I hope this helps! www.parkinfabrics.co.uk/products/domet-woven-fusible?variant=42691116892383

I just use paracord, you can buy rolls of it on Amazon. Just tie a loop knot in the end and you are good to go.

@ByIlonaMillinery Bless you for taking the time to advise. I should tell you that I have been a subscriber for a long time. I haven't simply enjoyed your content, I have been inspired by you to try my hand at milinary. I do other crafts professionally, but I didn't have the confidence to try my hand at hat making. Watching your videos with such clear instructions changed all that. I am also impressed that you have the humility to admit when you've made a mistake. Anyone who works in craft knows that mistakes are part of the process. They can prove very instructive in themselves. I always tell people who are setting out to learn a craft that they should "prepare to be rubbish." They sort of look puzzled until I go on to explain that people have a terrible fear of being rubbish. Accepting that this is a natural part of the learning process kicks that fear to the kerb. Many people teaching on KZfaq have perhaps studied at college, and some have been doing the craft for decades. Sadly, some edit out all mistakes. I have even caught sight of a smidge of Photoshop...I don't feel that to be very helpful. I once knew a man (OK, I was married to him. I was just too embarrassed to mention it 🤣) He had not studied or ever done any photography, but his business was to take him to Australia, so he went out and bought £1,000 of camera equipment. When the photographs didn't turn out like something out of National Geographic, he never picked up a camera again. Sheesh. 🤦‍♀️ Anyway, thank you for being so inspiring and helpful. I should also thank you for saving the beautiful bush outside my window from being squished as I threw myself in. Paracord, it is then 🙂