Steamers for Millinery Hat Making

[@anissaboujraf8463]

Everytime I rewatch your videos, I learn new things 😍 thank you for this precious reference videos 🙏

[@ByIlonaMillinery]

Hi Anissa! I am so glad to hear this ❤️😊

[@JzMillinery]

Wow that’s crazy how expensive Jiffy steamers are in the UK. And Denise’s idea is fascinating. Thanks for sharing! Love your videos, Ilona. Love your fridge technique too.

[@amycraven6678]

I currently use a standing garment steamer with a hose attachment and a flat Hoover-like head. I usually just mist lightly…. Can’t wait to try the rubber gloves my avoid some steam burns and prune fringes

[@annlidslot8212]

Hi, Oh no! not enough comments here. My apologies for not seeing this until now. What's worse, I haven't even started to watch the video yet. The reason for this is that for some reason I don't get anything from KZbin when you post. And it's three in the "morning" and I need to be watching less exciting content than yours to dull my brain enough to actually fall asleep. So here is one for the Mighty Algorithm for now, and I'll watch it tomorrow when I'm supposed to be awake and engaged. I'll do another comment when I've seen it. Yours, Ann

[@BoitumeloMatshediso]

Hi Ilona I like the fridge method

[@kitefan1]

Back in ancient times (the late 60s), before permanent press cotton that worked and before cheap plastic spray bottles, to iron cotton clothing my mother would use a sprinkle topper for a bottle of water to dampen completely the cotton item, roll them in a towel and store them in the fridge overnight. This evened out the moisture and made ironing them easier. When I went to college one of my friends was complaining about her roommate who was with us, putting her ironing in the fridge. I asked, 100% cotton? She said yes! I told the first friend, that's what you do.

[@Xitaychin]

I just wet felt them now, but idk how it affects the result in comparison with steam method. Interesting to know how the brims stay up using steam or it's needed to stiffen them too... Would love to know if you decide experimenting with that, I don't have a steamer unfortunately.

[@annlidslot8212]

Hi, I found this again. It seems like I never get back to you. I'm sorry. Here at least is my view after seeing the video. I found that I liked the "leaving it in a warm place" method's result a lot. The finish of that brown felt was beautiful, and I'm not even into browns, at all. My undertone is very cold. I love the little white beret you're wearing. Is that a white pom-pom you're wearing with it, or is it a different feather trim? The combination is adorable. Would you recommend the steamer for the newbie that also want to block buckram and straw, or would you say that the steam iron is the better tool? The Jiffy isn't cost effective for me, however good it is. Also why the gloves? Yours, Ann

[@ByIlonaMillinery]

Hi Ann, thank you for your comment. Yes, I found the "leaving it in a warm place" worked very well. If you have a cold undertone and would like to try some browns, I reccomend looking at some dark chocolaty browns that lean blue or purple. Yes, that is indeed a feather pom pom in my hat, the tutorial for how to make those is up on my Patreon which I belive you have access to 😀 I would only reccoment the Jiffy as a professional tool for milliners who need to be creating massive amounts of felt hats constantly. For blocking buckram and straw I find myself reaching for my hand held small garment steamer (at 6:58 in this video). As for why the rubber gloves - felt always blocks better when it is hot, so the rubber gloves protect my hands when handling the hot steaming felts.

[@annlidslot8212]

Hi, Thank you for the answer. What a good idea with the gloves. My hands are sensitive too, so I'm going to snag that idea, if that's okay. Just blocking sinemay was a painful affair, but that was before your video, and I didn't want my straw sopping wet. I was using one of my God daughter's bowls as a block, and as it's stoneware I wanted it to dry before the fabric started to rot. I've yet to finish the hat but I'm very pleased with the shape. Yours, Ann

[@kerryhorwitz4093]

Ss far I have bought two hand steamers neither of which work. I took a peek at some feedback and one that just made a weirdly thumping noice with no steam seemed a common esperience. I am currently waiting to buy my next waste of money 🤦‍♀️ Anyone who has a tip on a brand of hand held steamer that actually works would be considered a genius human being by yours truly 😊

[@ByIlonaMillinery]

Hello, I cannot recommend a specific brand of steamer, as I usually buy mine off Amazon, and they are typically white label products where the brand name constantly changes. My best advice (if buying off Amazon) is to find the steamer with the most reviews-there is one currently in the UK Amazon with 9,000. The brand is BEAUTURAL - but I cannot specifically recommend it as it is not one that I have personally used. You can see me using my hand held steamer to shape this straw hat from my latest video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipm1pqt9n7N0btU

[@kerryhorwitz4093]

@@ByIlonaMillinery Thank you for taking the time to offer advice. I shall watch the video and nip off to Amazon .👌

[@Xitaychin]

I think it's better to use non electrical kettle that is for the gas stove!

[@Xitaychin]

Or other kind of stove..

[@jeffreyburrows9714]

Hello, What is that brush (14.40) and what is the surface called that you are creating with it? Your videos are super helpful.Thanks.Jeffrey U.S.A.

[@ByIlonaMillinery]

Hello Jeffrey! I am so glad you find my videos helpful! That particular brush is a natural boar bristle brush. I bought it from a shaving shop in central London - I think the intended purpose is as a normal hair brush. I hope this helps!

[@jeffreyburrows9714]

Thank you. As we say here in theatre..."you're a class act!". Cheers!@@ByIlonaMillinery

[@josephnebeker7976]

Electric kettle. Definitely shows the age difference. I put mine on the (electric) stove. 😏