In his workshop looking out over the Georgia Straight, Roger Friesen picks up the first hat block he ever made.
Once a prospering industry, it has since seen a decline as fewer and fewer people choose to wear structured hats. “I’m curious that I’m the only one doing it, it confuses me,” he admits. “There are so many people making all sorts of stuff, and lots and lots of wood workers making a whole pile of art. Why isn’t anybody trying to hat block?”Walking through his crammed and dusty workshop, Friesen explains the process he goes through to create each mold used to form felt or wool hats.
It’s a unique approach to work working that’s in keeping with Friesen’s personality, which he says helps him stand apart from both the fashion and carving industries, which he’s linked to through his craft.