Peacock

Peacock feather's are just so beautiful and I love to use them with a contrasting silk,this one is a double thread silk of peacock blue and red giving it a deep rich hue.

This piece sits to the right side of the head sloping down past the right eye.

The vintage button used to anchor the two pieces together is a soft pearl grey and very beautiful.

I have sewn the silk twists on to a headband so there are no worries about positioning, just pop on and go.!

Take a brim and a crown

When you make a hat by hand each part is blocked separately.
This is where you dampen the material then steam and stretch it gently over a hat block (mould)
When dry and removed it is then cut to the desired shape.
The brim is worked on by adding brim reed around the edge to keep it's shape and stop it flopping, then this is covered with fabric.
Here you sew so that the stitches can not be seen.Tricky stuff.
Petersham ribbon is sewn to the head size around the inside of the crown and the label added.
Next attention is turned to the crown this is the part that wraps around the head the top is called the tip.
A lining is made to fit inside the hat then the brim and crown are joined together.
Now you create a band to cover your workings and add the trim. Simple.!
This hat is a very simple design as the suit it will be worn with looked better without too much detail.

Latest Treasure

At the moment I have quite a list of items to source and buy for several different orders.
I have been very successful in the last few days finding this vintage buckle,brooch,large beaded button and two pieces of embroidered cotton.
As fabric is so hard to find these days I feel very happy with myself, I now need some aubergine fine wool cloth,cherry red wool cloth and Lilac/blue buttons.
After that I think I should add a Gin & Tonic.

Vintage Hat Prints

I found these prints last week at a local antique fair and it appears that they are taken from a book as there are page numbers at the corners of each one.
I would love to know where the book came from and the title but there was no information from the seller.
Now to decide where to hang them once I find two frames.? I do have a nice space in the shop so maybe that will be their new home for a while then I might just have them at home to enjoy them myself.
Hope you enjoy them too.