Sunshine On The Doorstep

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week was half term so we took a trip to a museum in Manchester. The big red brick buildings with all their Victorian pomp and ceremony are always impressive and inspiring. I love all the details in the brickwork over doors and windows.
There were a couple of very last minute wedding needs. Luckily I was able to make them in time and the sun shone for the wedding which is always what you hope for.
I have also had some lovely spring sunshine on my doorstep which is keeping my hellebore happy. Always nice to be greeted by a happy plant as you enter a shop.

Next week I shall be involved in a very unusual photo shoot so there will be some great pictures to share, I'm just crossing my fingers for a blue sky and no rain.! The felt beret will be taking part in the shoot. The lattice felt strips remind me of a cherry pie top.

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.!

New designs New on line shop

 

As it is now officially summer wedding season here in  the U.K. I like many other milliners am very busy making hats and head wear for lovely summer weddings. It's unseasonably cold at the moment [no change there really] but the ladies are not letting that stop them from wearing gorgeous outfits and creative head pieces.
I am also busy re stocking my shop on What I always wanted  here's a couple of the designs modelled by artist Julia Ogden  who is aslo my neighbour. They will all be for sale next week on their site.
My other project is keeping me up late at night and as the words describe I shall soon have my own on line boutique where there will be a selection of everything I sell in the real shop from head wear to scarves and accessories. I will post a 'fanfare' when it's good to go.!
Also this week in the post was a Finnish wedding magazine that I have been featured in, I can't read it but never mind. All those ace pic's from Toast of Leeds speak for themselves.

Hats straight off the block

  

 

 

  

      

       

 

      

 

 

It's been a busy day in the shop but I managed to take some photographs this morning of three hats one of which sold this afternoon.!
The top hat is a knotted straw crown, fine straw brim and silk trim.
A very classic little hat but can be worn with so many styles so always great to have on my hat wall.
The red straw is an over sized beret with a hand tooled red silk flower. It's the type of hat that someone doesn't need but just wants.
The final pictures are of a really unusual block that I bought from Milliner Rachel Skinner in London, when I started my business. It's very different and can make some great shapes. Here it was used for blocking pinopok then sculpted after blocking to create a striking hat on a small base. It sold this afternoon.I shall make another but not the same.

Pink ruffles and dress clips

Two hats for the same lady,one for a wedding and one for the races.

The black hat made from pinopok sinamay has a vintage hat pin and two vintage dress clips as well as a gorgeous feather, great for the races as it is light and easy to wear.

The black straw hat has a pink silk ruffle and black woven bead trim.

Both styles are very dramatic which she loved, and as she is a new client I hope she back for more head turning hats.

Summer weddings are all over now and the race calendar is coming to its end so I am now making a lot more autumnal headwear, but I love working with felt and warmer fabrics so I will be back with winter creations soon.

Wedding hats required

Invitations to weddings seem to be dropping through peoples letter boxes at an alarming rate at the moment,some people are getting them in threes.!
What to wear,what to buy, should I wear this twice.?
Hats however are definitely on the list of 'to wear' so with lots on the go at the moment here is one for the lady who drops into the shop for something to go with a black and or pink dress for this Saturday if possible .....sorry I know it's a bit short notice.!!!
Which is when I say 'would this do the trick'.?
There's more in the workroom under construction, you never know I might just get an invite myself.

Rock and Roll Wedding

This is the second part of the fashion shoot featuring two alternative wedding headdresses.
Not for the faint hearted but sure to please those wanting something very different.
The make-up was fantastic don't you think.?
They where taken at the Adelphi in Leeds, a grade Two listed building full of nostalgia.
Rocknrollbride have some amazing photos of weddings with a difference so go take a look.
As the saying goes "It's only rock and roll but I like it."!

Soda Fountain

Definitely not your average wedding photo shoot, but Shelly of Toast had an idea to produce a different view of that special day and went all out to get it.
This Felt Soda Fountain headpiece with white veiling and vintage buttons stands proud and regal on the models wild hair.
It was made by hand cutting two identical felt pieces which were sandwiched together with a wire frame, allowing me to bend it slightly into a pleasing shape, then sewing it all together with fine stab stitching.Sounds painful but hard to see so the perfect stitch.
I don't get to make too many pieces like this and I loved the end result.
Maybe there will be a bride out there daring enough to want this look too.We'll see.!

Fire cracker

I have been busy making a few November inspired fascinators,this red one is from a sinamay disk and black crin flute.
Several pieces are showcasing in a local Charity fashion show this evening, with other red hot colours in the collection I hope they will create a bang.!

If you feel you could do with an injection of colour visit Chrissie's etsy shop or website to view other styles.

Finished product