Making A Hat Called Ellerslie

I'm sure a few readers might know that my family have lived in New Zealand since 1920 so it's a place I'm very familiar with.
I lived in Auckland for quite a few years and have been to the races a few times.
Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland has an elegant driveway planted with palm trees as you walk up to the entrance. I did find a lovely old image of this aspect on the internet so have a look if you're interested.
As this year I am calling my occasion hats after racecourses Ellerslie was definitely on my list of names.
Teal and grey are two of my favourite colours so this combination suits me well.
The crown is blocked from fine straw and the brim from two tone sinamay.
It's quite an elegant hat so I think it would go very well with a dress or suit.
It's now for sale in the shop and as I no longer have a website you can buy directly from you just need to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to purchase 'Ellerslie'

Chrissie

Let's Make Marvelous Hats

Working from my kitchen table is now the norm {for the moment} its a bit of a faff, but it's a space to work from so it will do.

As my living room is now bursting with millinery equipment and supplies it is sometimes really hard to locate what you need. However this week there has been much making, blocking and trimming.

All pieces with spring and summer in mind, there is light blue, pale grey, soft lilac and straw mixes to name but a few.

My images are not as sharp as I'd like them to be but it's basically been dark most of the week and I no longer have a 'spot' to take images from so please bear with me for a while.

My funding page is going well and thank you very very much if you have donated I really appreciate every penny, and it will be used to restore things back to normality, what ever that is!

Nice to keep the blog going, at least on here I can tidy up my mess if I make one, Chrissie x 

Hats in Every Shape and Colour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last two weeks have been very busy, we have made so many different shapes and styles of hats.

One for the races in Dublin, one for a dreamy wedding in Spain, a red one for the window on Valentines day and a large leopard felt hat.

On Monday I am giving a demonstration to a group of ladies at The Devonshire Arms Hotel  which has the most beautiful setting and always a pleasure to visit.

I shall be steaming a felt hat and showing a few millinery tricks as well as chatting about owning a shop and millinery business.

Lets hope this dreadful weather we have had starts to calm down and allows everyone to travel.!

 

Royal Ascot

This week has been Royal Ascot week, where ladies and gentlemen don their finest headwear and step out in style.
Here's a little selection if some of the hats I have made for Ascot clients.
Last day tomorrow hope the rain stays away.!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polka Dots

I have been using some polka dot 'crin' which is a woven fibre to make a few headpieces including this 50's styled headband. It's secured with small crystals and has a black crin bow as a trim also with a cluster of crystals in the centre. It sold on Saturday to an American lady for the Derby.Hope it brings her luck on the horses.

Royal Ascot Pill Box Hat

 

This little navy blue fine straw pill box hat has been made for a client who loves things frayed and distressed not too perfect and always wears them in an unusual way yet always looks amazing. In fact when she came to collect it today she put it on in a sideways position and it looked great, however this is not the case for most people I would say. The cotton covered wire trim with hand frayed and rolled pinopok are really quite striking and are a nice alternative to feathers or a quill. Lets hope she turns a few heads as well as backs a few winners.

Fenwick's of York Meets Hat Therapy

 

 

Last Saturday I went to York as Fenwick's department store had invited me to take a selection of my work to show to the public as they were hosting a Race day / wedding event for the weekend.
It was a very busy Saturday and I had sales and orders which was wonderful. As you can see I was set up near the downstairs cards, gifts, accessories and Fitflots.! Here's a few pic's of the hats I took with me and my table. It was a great day and I met some really lovely people.