Back To Start A New Season

Hello 

I'm back from a weeks holiday in Wales where we had a week of lovely weather ! 

As this August has been most unpredictable it was a really lovely surprise I can tell you.

Just before I went away I made my friend Karen a blocked beret in royal blue sinamy with a tutti frutti band of raffia wrapped around the hat, wired navy petersham ribbon and a selection of vibrant beads as a trim complemented her shoes and finished off her vibrant splash of colour. It went really well with her royal blue dress. 

Even Dad approved which I believe was a real compliment so I think I got it right !

I've also used up the final pieces of my beautiful caramel french ticking. This time I've made a shoulder bag wallet and little hand pouch.

Also attention all fabric fans. I will be demonstrating some fabric manipulation at 1.00pm at The Salvedge Fair in Barrowford on Sat 23rd Sept. 

https://www.selvedge.org/products/23-september-pendle

It will be a very inspiring event with embroidery and many other traditional crafts to view and purchase. Plus a pop up shop of various art and crafts and the cafe and garden at the centre are a lovely place to sit and relax.

I think I will be upstairs so come and say hello.

Right I'm off to continue with more autumnal pieces in felt and tweed ready for the cooler months.

Chrissie x

The wonders of sinamay

Sinamay is one of the most popular hat making material used around the world. It is made from fibers from an Abaca tree that is found in the Philippines. Abaca fibers are much stronger than silk or cotton and are woven together to make sinamay. As it is a natural material it is firm, can hold its shape well and can when dyed hold colour too.
Making it available in a huge variety of bright colours.

It has been in demand since it started to be exported from the Philippines in 1850 and throughout the 19th century. Abaca fibers were one of the highest exports in demand at the time along with tobacco and sugar.

Abaca fibers were originally used to make rope, but now is commonly used in carpets and furniture, bags and clothing and of course millinery. 

Abaca tree

Abaca fibers

Sinamay is so popular with milliners and here at Hat Therapy we use it as it can be molded into almost any shape. We commonly block ours on to various hat blocks and also other interesting and unique shapes we can find such as bowls, dishes and vases. We block a shape by steaming the sinamay with a Jiffy Steamer and stretching the fibers over the block then pining it down. Once the fibers have been left to dry and the sinamay is taken off the block it keeps its new shape and is ready to be made into a hat and or trim.

We also love experimenting with colour combinations by layering up sheets of sinamay and ironing them to trap the fibers together, the sinamay fibers have on thema stiffener that reacts with the heat of the iron so that the layered sheets will stick together, ultimately creating the most beautiful multi-tone pieces. 

Jiffy Steamer

Sinamay can also be used to trim hats by sculpting ribbons, flowers, swirls and curves etc. and is a great material to experiment with. We also often embellish our sinamay with beads, buttons, lace, embroidery and fabrics as it is easy to stitch onto either by machine or by hand.

   

Liberty Print Trim

 

I am a big fan of Liberty fabric and love to use it in various ways when sewing. This two tone sinamay blocked button hat has a wire which I have bound in Liberty print to create a spiral trim. If I was going to a wedding myself I would be keeping this one to wear.!