Jo-Anne Barr

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.

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.