THE Yelverton craft group Crafty Girls were hosts to the Walkhampton Knit and Natter craft group, plus many guests in St Paul's Church Hall, Yelverton last week, for a fascinating talk and demonstration on hats by Penny Blackmore of The Hat Studio in Tavistock.

Starting with the preliminaries — head measurements, face and hat shape — Penny took members through all the processes of hat making.  For an hour and a half the audience was held spellbound by Penny's demonstration of millinery art — from how to use the hat block for the basic shape, through the various materials used, including sinamay, made from banana leaves, to the final touches of adding the decorations like feathers which can be bleached, dyed and curled just like hair. Tools of the trade included glue guns, naked flames, tacks and even cling film

It was a very enjoyable and entertaining talk, and Penny had brought along a fine selection of beautiful hats for members to try – felt cloches, wedding hats, large Ascot type hats and fascinators.  

Penny was thanked for her talk — it is hoped to arrange a workshop for later in the year.

The raffle raised £75 for the Smile charity for children with cleft lip and palate.  

The Crafty Girls meet on the first and third Tuesdays each month in St Paul's Church Hall, Yelverton, between 7pm and 9pm. 

Members bring their own craft projects and share skills; demonstrations are also arranged so that members can try out new craft ideas.  For more information visit the Facebook page on or contact Carol Hughes on 07876 889 071.