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SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing
Machine-made standard
- products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine.
Mixed standard
- products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand.
Hand-made standard
- goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand.
*NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.
Robin Hood medieval felt hat is a perfect choice for adventurous reenactors. This medieval headwear, named after the famous robber from the Sherwood forest, will fit both women and men. The jaunty look of this model adds an extra character to one’s historical outfit.
This hat is fully handmade. To produce this model, we use sheep fleece. Wool used in it ensures a high level of hygroscopicity. It also provides natural thermoregulation of a human body.
A range of colors to choose from with this medieval hat is very wide. You will find the list of available colors here. Please write down a proper code in the comment section.
As this model has a curled edge, we can make this part in a different color. Give us the chosen two colors and describe their location in the comment section.
REMEMBER!
If you want your order to be realized FASTER, please provide us your head girth (B1) during placing it. This will speed up production, so your hood will come to you sooner!
NOTE – as felt hats are handmade, from many types of fleece, colors on pictures can be slightly different than the real ones.
Saint Helena and Kunz von Rosenheim - the admirers of felt hats
One of the famous historical women captured in this medieval headwear is Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. She is presented on one of the frescos illustrating the Legend of the Real Cross in Santa Croce church in Florence.
The man wearing a Robin Hood hat can be found in the often mentioned by us 14th century collection of German poetry Codex Manesse. One of the illustrations presents a minnesinger, Kunz von Rosenheim, a travelling lyric poet.
Felting and fulling - how to make a felt hat?
Fulling is a process of joining natural animal (wool of sheep, animal hair) or plant fibers. This method can give dozens of adornments, accessories, or parts of clothing, characteristic for both former and modern fashion.
While making the felt, joined fibers are strengthened by hot water or chemicals, by pressing or rubbing. One can do it manually or with the use of a machine. The process is called fulling or felting.
Among others, there are two methods of felting used in making felt hats:
- full wet method – with the use of water and joining material, like soap
- dry method – with dedicated needle or tracer (cutting wheel), layers of fibers are joined and pressed
In past, a person making felt products was called a fuller.
Robin Hood - the most famous medieval robber
The legend of Robin Hood is a very famous theme in books, films, shows, and even songs among centuries. This character from English folk legends was a perfect archer with a great heart.
The outlaw led in the fight with the Sheriff of Nottingham. He robbed castles and monasteries and later shared goods among people in need. Together with friends - Little John, Friar Tuck, Lady Marion - he lived in the Sherwood forest where he led a campaign against despotic rules of the Sheriff.
According to a legend, Robin was pardoned by Richard the Lion-Hearted who returned to his father land. Today, in the museum at Nottingham castle, we can see Robin and his two arrows.
What is felt used in medieval hats?
Woolen felt is one of the oldest human made textile materials. First marks of felt are dated on 6500 BC and come from area of modern Turkey, where Neolithic wall painting were found. A collection of felt products found in Altai are dated 7th-6th century BC.
Felt was used for centuries in making headwear like caps, hats or berets, but also in making footwear. It is an all-purpose material, used not only in clothing. It is used in insulating and soundproofing materials, and as a veneer for keys in keyboards and pianos.
There are legends on the creation of felt fibre. One of them says that it reaches the time of Noah’s Ark where sheep lost their wool on wet floor. It was trampled and later found by surprised Noah in a form of a carpet!
Another story says about Mondolian horse riders who put sheep fur under their saddles. It was rubbed during a journey and later found in a hardened form.
The most interesting story is connected with the patron of fullers – St. Clement. A pope during his pilgrimage in the 1st century scraped his legs. To relieve his feet, he put wool pieces into his sandals. Rubbing and sweat formed it into felt.