Midcentury Turban Project Vlog ||

As a theatrical milliner, I am often required to create hats for stage productions and copy historical styles impossible to produce with the original materials that would have been used, because those materials are no longer available.
Blocking net is no longer produced for the millinery industry. It was a stiffened, reshapable net textile, commonly used as a foundation for glamorous draped turbans of the mid-20th century. When I needed to make one for a production of Murder on the Orient Express, I knew I’d have to find an alternative.
A note about vocabulary-millinery terminology is fluid, with different words used even among milliners who otherwise speak the same native language. I’m based in the eastern US, so I use a term like “blocking net” because that’s what the milliners I learned from called it. I mention several of the synonymous terms for the textile and related media used by other milliners around the world.
Reference book illustrations appearing in this video from Millinery for Every Woman by Georgina Kerr Kaye (1926) and Classic Millinery Techniques by Anne Albrizio and Osnat Lustig (1998), and Hats on Heads: The Art of Creative Millinery by Mildred Anlezark (1965). The research image of Elsa Schiapparelli’s turban style was provided by the production’s costume designer, Anne Kennedy.
Links:
If you found this video informative, also check out my colleague Ilona Ames’ video on her own investigation into DIY blocking net on her channel, @By Ilona Millinery: • DIY Blocking Net | Tur...
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[@amycraven6678]

Gorgeous

[@nataliechim5227]

Rachel this was so fascinating seeing how you worked through the process and the problem solving involved. The turban turned out beautifully.

[@LaBricoleuse]

Thank you! 🙏

[@sarahallegra6239]

These videos are always so fascinating! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@LaBricoleuse]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoy them!

[@lisascenic]

Okay, that’s brilliant!

[@LaBricoleuse]

@@lisascenic thank you! I’m pleased with how it turned out!

[@jackiejames4551]

The turban looked great. Did you also stiffen the tulle at the top, or was it left soft?

[@LaBricoleuse]

Thank you! Great question. The tulle was left the texture that it was--not the softest, probably polyester/nylon, but no added stiffening.

[@jackiejames4551]

@LaBricoleuse thank you. I'm going to a 20s party and I've been trying to figure out a hat for my outfit. I may have to give this a try.

[@LaBricoleuse]

@@jackiejames4551 good luck! If you try it, I hope it turns out great!