In this chamber, a whirlwind of fine fur settles to make a felt cone five times as large as fineshed hat.

Rolling and kneading in steam and hot water shrink the full form to the size of finished hat.

To produce smooth texture, the hat is expertly treated with finest sandpaper during blocking.

The felt is now so tough that metal fingers are used to shape the crown and pull out the brim.

The hat must be finished on the special hand-carved block that produces the final shape and style.

Skilled workers sew in leathers, linings, bands, bindings, bows of just right colors.