STEP 01 | Working on the reverse side, stiffen the placemat.


Work a generous amount of stiffener into the surface and set aside. Your placemat should be nice and firm once completely dry.


STEP 02 | To prepare for blocking, you can take the optional step of fixing your fascinator ‘crown’ block to your flat blocking surface with double-sided tape. Centre the mat on the block and anchor with pins to hold it in place.


Note: The mat in this project is made of synthetic material, so a steamer was preferable to ironing flat. If your mat is made of paper or straw, you could use a steam iron instead.


STEP 03 | Apply steam to soften the placemat and start blocking


the crown portion of your bergère – use blocking pins and cord to achieve a well-defined shape.


STEP 04 | Once the cord is around the entire crown, secure it


with extra pins so that when you start to block the brim, the cord stays in place. Use steam to soften the brim, and work on opposite sides of the perimeter to block it flat.


HATalk | APR 2026


INDEX PA G E


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