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

Trilbies Twists And Millinery Classes

Happy February well we've made in through January and there's a lot more light around which feels better and helps you function better don't you think ?

I'm back at it in the workroom sewing away on various orders and of course getting ready for the wedding season.

I've been using my straw braid for a few trims I like the shapes you can archive with it.

A new hat block arrived in the post yesterday it's a larger button block so I'm itching to block on it as soon as I can possibly tomorrow I will take a few pictures as I use it for next time.

Next week my millinery course begins on Thurs evening, I had to change the date for starting and day to accommodate everyone so I'm looking forward to see what the ladies want to make.

One of them is going to a wedding so that will be tailored to her outfit and wedding day needs.

They will be fairly simple things but achievable within the 5 weeks course time. [with a little help from me]

If all goes well I will run another one starting in March so get in touch if you're a budding milliner.

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

A June Wedding

Well after the earlier non appearance of any sign of spring these last few weeks have sent the flowers, trees and shrubs into overdrive and it's absolutely glorious everywhere.

wonderful news for all the brides and wedding parties over the last few weekends.

However we have had hay fever hell in our house but eventually the times passes and everybody can breath again.

I am now well into my wedding hat making and race day events plus other fabulous parties that happen in the summer months.

There have been some amazing dresses that I have designed a hat for and these are just a few. 

I am blocking and sewing in every colour you can think of at the moment.

The two classic navy hats were a joy to make and I love trilbies it's one of my favourite hats.

Often I also make a bag to match the hat in many shapes and sizes the paisley silky clutch shape is very popular as it has a wrist strap making it really easy keep hold of it while you have a drink.

So if you are still looking for a hat or a bag get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Chrissie x

A Much Delayed Blog Post

It's been a while since my last blog post and the reason is because I've had a hand injury.

This was self inflicted I'm afraid and a silly thing to do given the fact my hands are so important to my work.

I was jabbing away at something stuck to the side of a container with a pair of closed scissors and of course they slipped and went straight into my hand.

It has healed now but I can still feel it very tender. I couldn't do much for a while and then as soon as I could grip again I was too busy catching up with orders to do anything but sew !

Things has settled back to normal now and the wedding season is up and running. I have made quite a few lovely hats but can't show any of them just yet till after they have been worn. Most ladies like to keep their hats a surprise !

I am also making for Buckingham Palace garden parties plus there's Ascot so it's a busy time in the workroom.

My wedding weekend was all but snowed off but that didn't matter, all the gorgeous things in my windows have helped to inspire my wedding goers and send out all the right messages that I am definitely a great place to come for your upcoming events.

Currently in my windows displays I have a stunning wedding cake from www.kindcake.co  Incredible wedding photography from www.toastofleeds.co.uk 

Fabulous flowers from www.simplybyarrangement.co.uk and beautiful jewellery by www.rachellucie.co.uk

So between us we have all your wedding dilemas covered.

Pop in for advice anytime.

Chrissie x

Dear January

Hello how has your January been so far? It's good to be back at work and getting on with all the new seasons work. After we were all struck down with the flu over Christmas it has taken us a while to get some energy back and in the swing of things but we are just about there !

So last weekend there was a Christmas present visit to Harry Potter World and as I knew only the basics of the story I really didn't know what to expect.

What an amazing place it is showcasing the talent of so many makers from woodwork, metalwork and of course costumes and hats.

There was a whole section of millinery as well as costumes and other fabric items. 

I was particularly blown away by the tapestries which were enormous !

It was a brilliant day out and I definitely recommend it as there is something for everybody.

Back in the shop I am working on wedding wear for the up coming wedding season and a wedding fair at Gibson Mill in Hardcastle Crags just outside Hebden Bridge on March Sunday 18th.

It's owned by The National Trust and is a really beautiful spot.

My other news is that I've decided to not have a website anymore as it's so much work on top of all my making and general business duties and instead I shall post items for sale on my blog so you will be able to buy online just in a different way.

Possibly a small post of things for sale each Friday afternoon or something along those lines.

What does everyone think of the general idea ?

However when you search for me on google etc there will be a page with my details and a link to send me an e mail or visit my blog, instagram, pinterest or facebook pages so I won't disappear all together.

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