Hats Under Constrution

So I finished the pink beret with the vintage navy twisted ribbon as the trim. Its very striking on and just needs a simple dress to pair with it. It has a navy sinamay blocked inner and the open weave blocked outer. I love brimless hats but they do leave you very exposed so not always the choice for the first time hat wearer.

The middle image is a reversible sun hat, yellow one side and check the other. It folds up into a small triangle and will pop into a bag while you don't need to wear it. It's so easy to leave a larger hat behind when your on holiday isn't it !

Finally the gold and grey hat has now been sewn together but I haven't taken a picture as yet. Every time I try the light seems to fade or some other distraction happens so I will get one taken for the next post.

Chrissie x

Long Lazy Summer Days

Well Summer has officially begun so we should be looking forward to holidays and sunshine.

With that in mind I have now got a lovely selection of roll up ladies Panama hats with are as soft as butter and roll up inside a strong tube or you can make your own with a piece of card. 

Brilliant for going away, walking or in the garden.

Ascot this week with ladies day yesterday. I wonder if my ladies had any winners ? Always a hat lovers delight to watch the round up of fashion at the end of the week.

Lots of flowers out at the moment including dock weed and seed heads which I just love.

The little piece at the top of the post is a lovely stiffened lace with pearls on a black straw disc bound in pink silk to match a dress for a wedding. So pretty and delicate looking yet actually quite robust as it's wired to keep it's shape.

That bright pink hat has had a second piece in navy blue blocked I am just about start sewing it together and then trimming can begin. I will show you how it turned out next time.

Chrissie x

Patent Leather Feathers

Hello hope everyone had a great Bank holiday weekend it's always good to get an extra day off.

I've been using a material called Jinsin which I bought from a Paris supplier a few years ago and have only used a few times.

Jinsin is a woven straw fabric which is brilliant for sculpting into wonderful shapes.

It has a warp of straw and a weft of polyester thread. This creates strong vertical lines which you can twist and shape into amazing curves.

This makes it the perfect material in my book as there's nothing I like better than a sculptural hat.

The feathers have been made from patent navy blue leather which I bought from a friend who makes bags. http://www.ce-leathergoods.co.uk/

Ticking is another of my favourites so a bag and a holiday cap seemed to fit the bill with brown suede straps for good measure.
Alliums have been showing off the last few weeks so I took this picture as I watched them open up.
I bought myself a hydrangea for the shop doorstep as the hellebore and violas had come to the end of their season.
Still making Ascot hats but can't reveal them as yet !
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