Hats Made to Match

So as you know I am always making hats to match clients outfits. It can be a dress or a suit or sometimes a trouser suit and anything in between.

Last week the dusky pink hat was worn to a wedding by the mother of the bride.

The dress was very interesting made from a heavy crepe fabric with large bow like details on the sleeves by designer Roksander.

The hat was a blocked beret with a large trim of petals / leaves in soft kid leather, silk and organza.

I also used some beads form a bracelet to finish off the trim. The same necklace was worn to finish the outfit off which was stunning. 

The first image is a navy blue blocked beret to wear with a Ted Baker drees. I used buttons to trim the hat in similar tones to the dress. It's been teamed with a navy blue jersey knit blazer and will be off to Buckingham Place for a garden party in June.

It's the best job making people feel really good about themselves.

Chrissie x

Bumper Blog Post Catch Up

Sorry for the lack of blogging this month, it has been a busy time and every time I sat down to blog something more urgent took my attention.

So here's a bumper edition.

The first images of the old hatters brush was a find on my local market just yesterday and what a find.

Greetland is a local spot about 30 mins away from Hebden Bridge so I must try to find out about the premises if I can. I think it could be from the 40's or 50's. It's very special.

This weekend we have The Great Pumpkin Festival in town with carving and other activities so look out for things going on if you are coming to Hebden.

The woods are spectacular at the moment with wonderful browns and greens. The soft turban style beret is a great little hat for keeping warm and suits a range of face shapes. This one is trimmed with a little vintage buckle. Soft slouchy and a great everyday hat.

It's also time to create many felt hats this cranberry red with a large aubergine felt twist trim sold very quickly in fact all the felts have been quick to sell this month maybe people know it's going to be a cold winter.

I've started making neck wraps and hoods from luxury faux fur again.So soft and brings out the inner tsarina in you for the chilly days or nights.

My poor plaster head is really showing all the signs of age with cracks here and there so I am hoping to get her replicated as the facial expression is so charming.

Ive been buying lots of fabric and picked up a lovely piece of navy jersey which I hope to make a soft slouchy hat with and some velvet ribbon which I can never have enough of.

I also found a moment to make green tom chutney from the last of our cherry toms that we grew inside this year. So tasty and I added a few raisins but no sugar. Smells just as lovely as it tastes.

I was given a vintage dress box which was the same as my hat box from Marshall and Snellgrove who had dept stores around the U.K. may moons ago. They look great as a display item and many people seem to remember seeing them as a child or know someone who owned one, bring back back many lovely memories.

Lastly the mother of pearl buttons which I also found on the market in town [only three] were in fantastic condition and just needed a clean. I've used one so far but am hanging on to the others as long as I can, however there will be a moment when they are just the most perfect thing to use and will find a new home.

Chrissie x

August But A Tad Chilly

So August the height of summer. I know folks who have had a wood fire burning the central heating switched on and the rain has been endless. Summer it seems is feeling very shy this year and there is no sign of improvement but I am filing the shop with colour and all manor of fabric delights to chase those summer blues away!

I also finally managed to get an image of the grey and gold hat with agate bead trim. It had been too dark every time I tried but there was a moment when I captured it.

I have also finished the teal cocktail hat with blocked straw base and crin swirls

When I was searching for the perfect trimming material I came across some hand knotted silk that I had bought in Dubai many years ago and it was perfect in every way. Just shows that if you keep it long enough it will come in handy again.

Sadly I used the very last of my favourite fabric of the moment to make another bag and once again it sold within 30 mins of me popping it in the shop. It's funny how some fabrics are just a magnet.

So I hope you are all enjoying your summer holidays where ever you may be.

Chrissie. x