Many handmade markets sell gorgeous and lovingly created felt hats and scarfs. Its no surprise really that hats in particular are perfect for wet felting – the fibres mould beautifully into that 3D form to create a gorgeous looking hat. And you don’t have to be a trained milliner to work a felt hat – the felt fibres are so flexible and easier to work with than traditional fabrics for hat making.

We seem to have stopped wearing hats – after about the 1970s both men and women cast aside hats as part of their fashion attire. This is a pity really – not only are they useful for protection against the summer sun and winter cold, a gorgeous hat can really make an outfit.

Its easy to forget just how common felt hats were in the past. The typical day-to-day hat worn by many men in the past were felted, as were speciality hats like top hats and riding hats. Even today, if you go looking for a formal hat for a man (that is not a cap!) they are mostly still industry made felt. Many women’s hats from day wear to formal affairs were also felted – including the gorgeous 1950s pillbox which often had a veil.