Hat Maker - Working conditions
Kaihanga Pōtae
Working Conditions
Hat makers work in a variety of locations including factories, workrooms, studios and in their homes. Conditions may be hot or steamy and they may work with toxic chemicals such as lacquers. They may sit or be on their feet for long periods. Hat makers may travel overseas to observe the work of other hat makers.
Equipment
Equipment hat makers may use includes:
- materials such as fabric, felt and straw bodies (the basic hat shape)
- fabric for lining and labels
- blocking net to give firmness to fabric hats
- wire for edging hats
- sewing machines and other hat-making equipment
- hat trimmings such as flowers and feathers
- stiffeners and lacquers for giving body and shine
- wooden or metallic hat blocks for shaping hats.
Hat makers use feathers to trim hats
Hank Cubitt using a moulding block to shape a hat
Hours
Hat makers usually work regular hours if working in a factory, but may work irregular or long hours if self-employed. The work is very seasonal with most of the work done in summer.
Contact with people
Hat makers work independently and as part of a team. They interact with other workers and when running their own business, interact with customers. They may have contact with dressmakers and designers, fabric and trimming suppliers (who may be overseas) and the media such as magazine advertising staff. Some hat makers may also interact with teaching staff if they run courses in hat making.
