A busy week

It's been a very busy week. On Monday I was at a photo shoot in Leeds where the wonderful large LOVE lights were used to their best advantage, there was a trip to the local bakery for sustenance and lots of new winter items being made.
The wool cloche is the warmer version of the cotton one which was so popular in the summer.
Friday I shall be hosting my Macmillan coffee morning from 10am till 2pm so pop into the shop if you are close enough. We shall have coffee, tea and cakes in the workroom. A nice setting for a coffee and no sewing required.!

Downton Abbey Returns

This Sunday sees the return of Downton Abbey the period drama on the BBC.

Anyone who is a fan will know the programme features 1920's fashions and many glorious hat designs. The bell cloche hat which is the cloche that sits very deep on the head is a popular shape on the programme, and I find it to be very popular in the shop too. I'm looking forward to seeing more stunning hat shapes as well  as the gripping story line.

I've put together a few pictures of my 1920's inspired hats, if only Lady Mary would pop in and buy a hat.!

Autumn arrives

  

 

 

  

 

  

Autumn has arrived and there is definitely a chill in the air, and that means one thing, we will all be wrapping up.

I am filing the shop with warm accessories, neck wraps, scarves, wool cloches, and even hand knitted slipper socks.

There is also still a few weddings happening too. The bottom picture is a small top hat that I blocked last week and I am now working on sewing the hat together.

Red is in this winter as well as plums and green, so there's a great pallet of tones to choose from. 

I have also been using some soft leathers and suede for little bags and peaks on hats.

I am also making a selection of 80's inspired 'Studio54' New York head wear for a photo shoot later this month.There's never a dull moment if you sew for a living.!

 

The ever popular cloche hat

 

 

 

One of my most popular hats this summer has been the cotton cloche which my clever sister has been hand crocheting for me in many different shades. This one is in a lovely rich cream cotton with square shell beads I bought in France some time ago. The pattern is a very clever one which she has developed into something very unique and once finished I create a kick pleat and then embellish them with a variety of buckles and beads etc.
Normally speaking the close fitting cloche does not suit all face shapes but with a great kick pleat at the side this one does.
She is now busy making the same the same hat in wools and wool mixes in readiness for the winter. Shhh we don't want to mention winter quite yet.!