Creator, Designer, Felter, Hat Maker,Teacher, Wool Whisperer
Hand-felted in Australia, sustainably made to fit every head
Welcome to JAMB Hats and Millinery — the home of handmade felt hats crafted from Australian wool. Each hat is carefully created using natural fibres, resulting in designs that are sustainable, breathable, and uniquely stylish. From classic fedoras and elegant cloche hats to c
Hand-felted in Australia, sustainably made to fit every head
Welcome to JAMB Hats and Millinery — the home of handmade felt hats crafted from Australian wool. Each hat is carefully created using natural fibres, resulting in designs that are sustainable, breathable, and uniquely stylish. From classic fedoras and elegant cloche hats to cosy wool beanies, bucket hats, and even statement witch hats, every piece is shaped by hand with creativity and care.
Finding the right fit can be hard — especially if you have a small head size and often end up in kids’ hats, or a large head size that never seems catered for. At JAMB Hats, we make hats in all sizes so you can enjoy a stylish, comfortable hat that truly fits.
Our eco-friendly wool hats are lightweight yet durable, designed to last while reflecting your individual style. Alongside our hat collections, we also provide hat making supplies and wet felting workshops, so you can explore the craft yourself.
Discover the beauty of slow fashion, sustainable millinery, and wearable art with JAMB Hats — where Australian wool meets timeless design.
My Passion......
My Story
Jo Barr – Designer, Felter, Creator, Textile Artist, Teacher and Wool Whisperer
My passion for textiles began at a very young age, when my grandmother first taught me to sew. From there, I studied Textiles and Design throughout school before completing a degree in Applied Science, specialising in Textiles at university. This led me into the textiles industry, where I worked for many years in spinning, knitting, dyeing and finishing, as well as teaching at universities.
As a lifelong lover of fibres, fashion, agriculture, and hats, discovering the art of felting allowed me to bring all these passions together. Working with Australian wool fibres, I create hand-felted hats that are unique, stylish, functional and sustainable. For over 32 years I have been making hats, and for the last 6 years I have specialised in wet felt hats, sculpting wool into designs that celebrate both individuality and the natural beauty of Australian wool. Recently, I left my full-time teaching role to focus fully on my farm and my creative business, JAMB Hats.
With my background in textiles, education, training and agriculture, I am committed to sharing this craft with others. Through my hat making and wet felting workshops, I teach people how to work with beautiful Australian fibres to create their own handmade hats and felted pieces.
Today, I proudly wear many hats — felter, textile artist, hat maker, educator, farmer, mother, partner and friend. At the heart of it all is a simple mission: to celebrate Australian wool, honour slow fashion, and create hats that truly fit every head.
— Jo Barr
Why Hats?
At JAMB Hats and Millinery, we believe that hats are more than just accessories, they are a statement of style, culture, and individuality. Whether for practical purposes, sun protection, or fashion, hats serve a wide variety of functions and have a rich history across cultures and societies. From handmade wool hats to custom-designed fashion hats, each piece is carefully crafted to be both functional and expressive. Our passion lies in hat making, creating unique, handcrafted hats that reflect personal style and help you make a statement wherever you go no matter if you have a small head or a large head.
How are JAMB Hats created?
At JAMB Hats, each hat is handmade with care using traditional wet felting techniques. Our process begins with high-quality wool fibres, which are carefully matted together using water, soap, and hand agitation to create a dense, durable, and soft felt. This handmade felt is the foundation of every hat we craft.
Once the felt is ready, it is hand-blocked and shaped into three-dimensional forms, transforming it into stylish felt hats in a variety of designs—from classic fedoras to bespoke statement pieces. Every step of our process, from wet felting to hand shaping, is done by hand, ensuring that each hat is a unique, artisan millinery creation.
Our commitment to handmade, high-quality wool hats means that every JAMB Hat is not just a hat, but a wearable piece of art and craftsmanship.
Our Quality
At JAMB Hats and Millinery, we are committed to creating high-quality, handmade hats that are truly unique and crafted with care. We carefully source the finest Australian wool and natural fibres, working closely with local breeders and artisans who share our passion for excellence.
Every handmade hat is meticulously crafted using traditional wet felting and hand-blocking techniques, ensuring durability, comfort, and style. When you choose a JAMB Hat, you are investing in a bespoke, artisan millinery piece made from premium fibres, designed to last and be treasured for years.
We take pride in producing luxury Australian wool hats that reflect quality, craftsmanship, and sustainable practices.
Sustainability
At JAMB Hats, sustainability is at the heart of our handmade felt hats. We use natural, renewable fibres like Australian wool, which are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Our traditional wet felting techniques are low-impact, using minimal resources while creating durable, long-lasting hats.
By choosing our eco-friendly hats, you are supporting sustainable millinery and felting practices and artisan craftsmanship. Every handmade wool felt hat we create aligns with our commitment to responsible, ethical, and environmentally conscious hat making.
Past Exhibitions and Workshops
- F2F - Fleece to Fashion - 2024 Established Designer Encouragement Award
- Ceramic Break Sculpture Park - Exhibition
- Highly commended Woolcraft competition at The Sheep and Wool Show - Bendigo
- Merriway Art Gallery Joint Exhibition
- Deepwater Art Show Display and workshop
- Moree Council/Arts North West/ Rural Advisor Mental Health Program Community engagement felt hat workshops in 4 different communities in rural NSW
- Workshops - Biloelia Creative Capers, Hive and Gobbler - Dungog, Tamworth Regional Art Gallery , NERAM Gallery,Kalang Community Hall. Studio 81- Armidale, Nundle Wool Mill, Uralla Community Centre, Blackall, Springsure, Ballarat - Soverign Hill, Narrandera, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Nambucca, Camp Creative - Bellinn