Felt Hat

Winter is just around the corner so I am working with felt and wool fabrics at the moment. This wide brimmed hat in luxury velour felt has been trimmed with a rich fine wool tweed to contrast with the pale mushroom felt. I have manipulated the brim to create a box pleat with steam while the rest has been blocked on a hat block. Felt blocks so well that you can create many unusual shapes even without any blocks just as long as you can secure it in place. Lots of pieces being made so will be posting some new pictures very soon. I have a lovely small top hat almost finished.!

Straw Trilby

 

 I have formed the crown of this little trilby by hand making a very deep dip in the top of the crown, the brim I blocked in the normal manor on a hat block so as it does not fit around the head like a normal trilby it is kept in place by a hat elastic.
The lovely black feather was steamed and curled into shape then secured with a small pearly black button.
I have used black raw silk as the trim around the brim and band around the crown which is striking against the light straw
It's maybe not a hat for the 'shy' but sure will turn heads.!

Re Trim your Hat

 

I often re trim hats for clients who have hats that they need trimming in another colour. Sometimes it is quite a simple trim and other times it can be a very elaborate re trim involving all sort of millinery trickery.
This little paper Panama trilby was a perfect example of just how a re trim can change a hat.
It originally had a black ribbon around it, and is now covered in hand sewn pearls and crystals with white raw silk on the edge of the brim,around the crown and lining.
It will be heading to the Henley Festival early next month and will be perfect for the midnight picnics under the stars. Lets hope it stops raining.!

A tale of two trilbys

Since starting work after the Christmas break I have been very busy. After our cold December it's nice to be thinking of spring colours, these two hats are for a lady who lives in Italy the trilby crown is blocked from fine straw and the brim in pinopok. The buttons are made from mussel shell and the blue fabric is a linen /viscose.
She will have no trouble shading her eyes with these wide brims, especially the linen print. {last photo }
I have also transformed my workroom by moving everything around including shelving. I even cut a small slice off my cutting table to make it fit it's new space.!
It's all go now working on everything in readiness for the spring/summer months, but of course I have to keep up with my orders so much plate spinning required.
I have quite a few plans for the business this year so I will be back soon with more news.

Peach bloom felt

Peach bloom felt is very very soft and used for high quality hat making.These two cocktail hats have been hand pleated and sewn to create soft sculptured design.
I also used two small cut pieces for a trim on a pinstripe trilby.
All very 1940's don't you think.?