A couple of weeks ago (November 2017) I was at Cockpit Arts in Deptford as part of their ‘LCN’ (London Creative Network) programme. Less than 2 minutes away is the new building for ‘Petershams’, which has moved to Deptford from Elephant and Castle. So I thought I’d pop in and have a look. It is great. Lots of veiling, crin, feathers, textured feathers, premade bases, feather spines, sinamay, combs, hairbands, some felt hat bodies and more. The lovely lady running the shop told me they try to make themselves a one stop millinery supply shop.
I didn’t go to the Petershams in Elephant and Castle, but this one is apparently much bigger with lots of lovely light. It is a little tricky to find at first, but hopefully the pictures below will guide you to where to find it. Also, I have ordered from their website in the past, to make the Dr Who Missy hat, and their website is very easy to navigate and prompt delivery and good communication throughout the whole ordering and delivery process.
The closest station is Deptford Bridge on the DLR (you can get this from Stratford, Bank, Tower Gateway or Lewisham). It is also close to New Cross. See this link on the Cockpit Arts website for buses and directions from the different stations: https://cockpitarts.com/contact-us/cockpit-arts-deptford/
It was like being in a sweet shop – I loved it! Look at their website to find out the latest opening times and days https://www.petershams.com/
Outside of the building at ‘Petershams’ in Deptford
Inside the shop! (November 2017)
Directions to Petershams in Deptford
These pictures taken from the direction of Deptford Bridge, walking towards Petershams. You go down a main road called Deptford Church Street and then turn right at a pub called ‘The Birds Nest’.
Hi Claire,
I’m so sorry to bother you with this – but here I go anyway 😉
My son is 14 and wants a stetson (he’s a banjo player) as he can’t afford a good one he’s desperate to make one following youtube vidoes!
We need to source beaver dubbing / beaver fur to make the felt from.
Is there any chance you could kindly give us lead on this – do you know any suppliers of beaver fur in reasonably large quantities? We’d so very much appreciate your help.
Many thanks Lucy
Hi Lucy, sorry for my late reply!
I think you can buy a hood like that from Kopka in Germany, but they have EUR150 minimum order, and the price of beaver is expensive. But worth contacting them and having a look on their website http://hatbodies.com.w0174c16.kasserver.com/product/beaver-capelines/ or also this would still give a very nice quality https://www.parkinfabrics.co.uk/millinery/hat-bodies/fur-felts/salome-capelines.html
I would get a wool felt to practice technique with first. Have you got a block you are going to use to shape the felt over? Are you UK / London based?
You might also want to check out these other blog posts:
https://clairestrickland.com/2017/11/16/all-about-millinery-felt-how-is-it-made-how-is-it-different-to-normal-felt/
https://clairestrickland.com/2017/11/12/recommended-tutorials-and-films-on-the-internet-about-how-to-make-hats-and-work-with-millinery-materials/
And the very most important thing….. make sure you measure his head, and make the hat to fit his headsize (I’ve learned that the hard way!).
Keep in touch! Claire.