Merry Christmas From The Hat Shop

So here we are almost at the end of the year ready for time with family and friends for those of us luckily enough to celebrate in that way.

2018 has been a tough year,  the high street has been very quite people have been tightening their belts and who can blame them.

As usual I have been lucky to have orders that keep me going but it's definitely a roller coaster of emotions from month to month and an uncertainty to your usefulness or if you are relevant anymore.

A creative life is a wonderful way to earn a living you could say a privilege but an uncertain one at the same time. There are shops closing everyday. My work fills me with joy and my passion never changes as I strive to create lovely things that make people happy.

In January after being asked countless times I have decided to run a short

Millinery Course for 4 weeks ONLY 3 PLACES AVAILABLE £25 per class  [inc all materials]

Beginning 2nd week of January on the 8th Every Tues evening from 7pm till 9pm at the shop in my workroom.

Contact me via chrissie@hattherapy.co.uk

Let's hope that 2019 will bring a new energy and a feeling of resurgence in business.

Thanks to everyone for their support through the year it's very much appreciated and I am looking forward to January when I will return after a Christmas break.

Merry Christmas to all.

Chrissie 

Perfect Weather For A Wedding

Hello have you been enjoying the sunshine. Such great news for summer weddings as so many last year were bothered by too much grey cloud and rain especially last Aug.

This year however it's keeping cool that's been on every ones mind.

Now that is a change for our British weather !

Brides have been basking in glorious sunshine for weeks now and thoughts of how to cover up if it's chilly have been banished altogether.

The first hat was made for a mother of the bride for a garden wedding to compliment the gorgeous silk dress from Temperly which was just beautiful. The silk was like soft butter and the print was fun yet just right for a garden wedding.

I made a navy blue blocked beret and trimmed it with silk flowers attached to quills that I curled in various shapes.

I also have bought some lovely roll up straw sunhats and to date I have sold 40 ! I normally buy roll up panamas but this year decided to go for something a little cheaper. They still look smart and everyone has loved them so far. If you'd like one get in touch they are easy to post. 

Headbands continue to be popular for those ladies who want something smaller. The ivory and teal silk petal band sold on Saturday and now a dress is being found to wear with it.

Busy making holiday bags and accessories too like the stripey cotton cross body bag with matching large zip up pouch perfect for stuffing all your beach needs and more, plus it's washable when you need to give it a quick refresh.

Next weekend Sat 21st I will be closing the shop from 3pm but the shop will be open the following week Tues - Thurs as normal just closed  Fri 20th & Sat 21st and re open Tues 31st as usual.

Having a little break.

Chrissie x

The Making Of A Cocktail Hat Called Mimosa

It all started with a piece of crin which is a nylon woven fabric that can be twisted into amazing shapes. I like the ability it gives you to extend the width of a smaller base making it light to wear.

After I had sprayed it pale grey I then whipped it into shape and sewed it onto a fine straw button hat which I had blocked earlier.

Next was to start adding the vintage petersham ribbon in grey with a fine black line into the spaces created by the swirls.

Once I was happy with the overall effect I then added a sprinkle of lovely dark grey pearls at the front and a few around the central back.

That left the lining to cut and make and sew into the hat, adding the hat elastic and a little teal braid as an added extra or surprise on the inside. I decided to choose a simple grey cotton lining for this piece.

Now it was just a matter of naming the little hat and of course I though of  a cocktail.

'Mimosa' is now sitting in the shop waiting to be chosen for her first outing. I'm sure she will be whisked off to somewhere glamorous very soon.

Chrissie x

A week At The Hat Shop

Here's a round up of my week in pictures. Last Saturday was a beautiful day and the sun streamed into the shop and as our British summer has been rather unpredictable it was great to have the door open.

I re trimmed a trilby in navy blue petersham ribbon for an Italian man who was going to a wedding back home in Italy.

There was a little selection of accessories made in a very fine wool check.

A trilby with a velvet ribbon trim was the main piece but also a few smaller items too.

I was also busy using my trusty Jiffy steamer which is basically like a big kettle that continues to boil and create steam in order to create hats. This is the water container which I gave a good clean before re filling. I made a really smart navy blue and lilac hat but can't show it yet as the wedding isn't till the end of August.

I now have a new intern working with me and two more joining over the next few weeks.

We will be starting to make our Autumn range very soon and I have realised that in four months time I will have been open 10 years so there's a little celebration to plan.!

Bright Hats and Blue Skys

The sun is out at last.! So this morning I took a quick walk around town before I started work and everywhere looked beautiful.

This bright coral hat has been made by fusing together two layers of pink and one layer of orange sinamay. It's great for the warmer weather as it's very light to wear.

Sometimes I need to create a colour usuing this technique as it's not always possible to get an exact colour match but this really gives a colourful hue.

The zingy fabric used to make little petals for the trim add to the vibrancy and overal appeal and with a great shape it's sure to get plenty of attention.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

What exciting plans we have to look forward to. As spring is approaching we are getting ready to start our spring collection including hats, bags and other lovely accessories, but before we can begin our creative genius, we will need a trip to shop for fabric where we will be looking for linen, cotton and light weight fabric that is fresh, bright and will be perfect for when the sun comes out. We have also started ordering our straw cones to block, to make some really fab hats.

 As well as that to welcome the spring in we are working on a new selection of home wear items such as table cloths, place mats and cushions, excellent for brightening up your home and making a change for the new year.
 If you fancy a new years bargain come along to the shop and take a look at our sale section and see if there is something you can't resist.

Along with that we have plans to revamping and painting the shop....... it's a bit like the forth bridge.!

Also as it is spring soon we are turning our attention to wedding wears, We already have a unique selection in the shop but will be making more as the months go by.
April 12th we are going to East Riddlesden Hall for the day (12 till 4) to their wedding fair, we will be showing our creations, so save the date and we will see you there!

New Trims and Trinkets

After a lovely weeks break at the beach in Wales, where the sun shone every day I have come back refreshed and ready to start work with new ideas and energy.

There are still lots of weddings around to make lovely head wear for and orders for Autumn events too.

I am also making my new ideas for Autumn and winter products including hats and accessories with gorgeous tweed and wools.

Rebecca, bryony and Melissa have now left and it's always strange when my interns that have been working with me for such a long time no longer breeze through the door every morning.

However I am now working with Helena and Evangeline and we are busy with many projects.

I must admit it's the time of year when I am busy planning Christamas which always seems far to early but must be done.