New Look For The Blog

Sorry for the distinct lack of blog posts over the last few weeks.

As you can see I've been working on changing the look of the blog. There's more to do and it will change again shortly with images from photo shoots and pictures of the shop. It's always great to have a change and freshen up your presence I think.

Weddings are now part of our main bulk of work with brides and mother of the brides / grooms popping in with glorious outfits ready to have a bespoke hat made to finish their look.

We've been blocking like mad to make all sorts of shapes and styles all of which will appear on the blog very soon.

So if you are off to a wedding and need advice of where to start looking / planning or shopping for your outfit drop into the shop or give us a call and we'll gladly help.

I will have been re opened a year since the shop was flooded shortly, can't believe it's gone so fast !

So if you've not had chance to visit you'll be quite surprised when to get here.

Chrissie x

French Ticking And Market Bags

Last summer I bought quite a few pieces of French ticking in various stripes but for some reason I never got round to making them into anything.

This year I intend to put that right by making lots of items with them and the first is this roomy market bag.

It's lined with navy blue gortex and has a large pocket in the stripes inside.

Soft cream leather handles and a hard card bottom so that the bag keeps it's shape when you fill it with your necessities ! plus the kitchen sink if you're like me.

There's also a d ring and key fob to clip the sides together for security or you can open it out to full width if you need to. This picture shows it with the key fob clipped to the d ring creating a tucking in version.

I am really happy with the shape as it was one I designed in my head quite a while ago !

Last week we had a few days of sunshine so I tried to get out and about spotting my favourite hellebore's in bloom and a few glorious views.

The little flower head sketch is one that I hope to screen print next, Mainly tea towels,napkins and face cloths I think.

Springtime Seems Around The Corner

I know it's still really chilly but it does feel as though spring is not far away.

 A few daffodils in the shop have been bright and breezy but my favourites are tulips of which will be plentiful very soon.

We have been bag making in between hatting using some lovely boiled wool to create a satchel bag and also some glorious French ticking for a gortex lined bag with a matching zip up bag, which has been a commission for a house guest. Hope she likes it.

I've also discovered a lovely new magazine which is providing lots of inspiration called Rakesprogress I can really recommend it for a good read and wonderful images.I purchased it from next door at Snug Gallery.

It's pancake day today so I wish you happy flipping !

A Felt Beret For A Wedding

This is one of my favourite block shapes which I use to make my more formal berets.

A soft mushroom felt has been simply trimmed with a textured fabric which has a thread of colour running through it.

After blocking the beret two slits were made fairly close together and then I threaded the sewn fabric pieces through the main body of the hat.

Always a little nerve wracking when you cut into something that's already complete!

However well worth it to create this simple elegant look.

It has now been purchased and will be off to a wedding this weekend and then to Ireland later in the month.