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The soap takes a long time to be used up and it does affect the fibres over time, they become harder and start to deteriorate. I use mine in the bathroom and when they begin to get old I use them as pot scrubbers in the kitchen. The fibre is usually too destroyed and becomes gluey with the soap eventually, so - no - you don't really end up with a hollow form. I have no problems throwing them out, because the fibre is organic and will compost.

Hi Susan, If that works for you then that's really good - maybe your knives are better quality than mine. I found that using a serrated knife caused beads of the sytro-foam to pull out during the cutting process leaving more holes in the surface that needed to be filled in with the wood filler.

@@raewoolnough5509 Thanks for your reply. I found that I got more beads with a straight knife, but the quality of the styrofoam may have something to do with it.

Hi Farideh Cake 'dummies' or 'blanks' come in many different shapes and sizes. I was using the following: 7” (18 cm) cakes dummies for 54cm (21”) or less hat sizes 8” (20 cm) cake dummies for 54cm - 58cm (21” - 22.8“) hat sizes Each blank was approx. 2.5 inches high, so collectively the hat block would end up 7.5 inches high (3 x2.5 inches), but you can make them taller or shorter depending on what type of hat(s) you intend making. It's best to measure your head and then take a tape measure with you when shopping for the blanks and go larger, so you can shape them down to fit your head size and shape. Happy hat making! Rae

@@raewoolnough5509 Hi Dear Rae , Thank you so much for your descriptions that all are great to help me.you are a very good teacher With best wishes Farideh

@@raewoolnough5509 Hi Rae,thank you very much for your very useful description and very to thank you for your time.acually I am making hats ,but I don't access to hat block.i like very much to made them by myself.so your video is great for me.

@@raewoolnough5509 thank so much

Hi Margaret Yes you can shape your sinamay on the hat block - you probably don't need to use cling film underneath, unless the block is getting a bit old and has lots of pin holes in it. If you block is getting old, just give it a re-coat of timber filler and finishing varnish and it’s good to go. Happy hat making! Cheers Rae

Yes, you can use a small steamer, but the heat and steam will eventually affect the block, particularly if you use a lot of pins and have holes in the surface. Styrofoam melts with heat, so use a steamer sparingly.

@@raewoolnough5509 thanks you so much for the reply, i finished my styrofoam block, YAY!! and i did a steam test today and yes it did slightly melt the polyurethane...most likely where i kept the steam in one spot for too long...

Hi Andrew, Sorry I am not sure what you are asking here. Hat blocks are made in lot of different sizes, so using this method you can make you own hat block the size you need. Maybe you are asking what size 'cake decorating blanks' to purchase to make your hat block - in that case I would go for 8" diameter cake blanks - normally I use three blanks together as per the video.

I pin mine a lot - and they do deteriorate after a while. You can just re-finish them with more wood filler and varnish and it brings them back to almost new!.

Hi Kate Everybody's head measurements are different, so the more measurements you can take, the better you are able to shape your hat block to fit. I use the diagonal measurement to keep track of the 'sit' size, as this is where most hats tend to sit of people's heads - depending of the style of hat you create.

@@raewoolnough5509 Thanks. I was thinking it was where the hat might end.

Hi Ines, I use a clear lacquer (clear varnish) usually used to finish furniture, etc. It is hard and helps to seal the wood filler.