Look, I Made a Hat!

This weekend saw the start of preparations for the Air Raid of 1942 at Fort MacArthur (yes, I have until the middle of February, but why not start early?). I made a hat after Vogue 7464, though, for an extra-fun challenge, I didn't actually buy the pattern. Silly, that's for amateurs;) Instead, I used the instructions I found here.

It worked out okay for me, but I don't recommend this technique unless you want to fight with your felt. I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to actually use this hat at the event, but you'll have to stay tuned and see . . .

Favorite Site Tuesdays: Yellow Field 7

Winter White Cloche

This week's featured site is the simply lovely Yellow Field 7, with hand-draped hats by Behida Dolic. Behida fell in love with early 20th Century fashion at an early age and now makes these fantastickly sculptural cloches. Each is unique, each is fitted to the wearer, and each makes an indelible statement. I confess to not liking all of the fashion of the '20's and '30's, but the hats? Sign me right up;)

Luise Brooks

I love the color and the slight overhang of the brim on this one. Paired with a white and blue striped shirt or dress for summer, perfect;)

Red Cloche

Anything that follows the natural curve of the body is lovely in my book. There is nothing more graceful than the curve of the head.

Special Green Cloche

There is something about this one that reminds me of the old Buck Rogers strips from the '30's and '40's. Love it.

Pink Cloche

I'm not a huge pink fan, but this hat could convince me. Look at that dramatic draping along the side! This hat screams silk kimono, fainting couch, and long cigarette holder.

Stop by Yellow Field 7 or Behida Dolic's website to see more of her work; if you're a hat fiend like me, you'll be itching to put on your t-straps and charleston right into a purchase;)

New Items in my Etsy Shop!

Penelope Bridal Veil Fascinator

New items in my shop this morning! Sorry I've been such a slug and didn't post yesterday, but I'll try to make up for it today;) I'm really happy with these pieces, and I hope you all like them too! Here are a few:

Adelaide Victorian Hat

Betty Vintage Style Veil

Drew Ruffle Flower Fascinator

Cate Rhinestone Bridal Headband

Scarlett Bridal Fascinator

Please take a look and tell me what you think!

Francoise - or the Ship Hat . . .

The Ship Hat is officially done! It took five hours and a lot of handwork, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Here's the inspiration, if you remember:

The body, once again, is a base of Fosshape with white 100% silk duchesse satin over it. Then, I took some pleated white organdy trim for the under edging, and over that sewed a pinch-pleated layer of embroidered white chiffon. The ribbon bow is a piece of antique striped silk which I've been trying to find a home for for years.

The ship painted up beautifully; I spray-painted it white, and after three layers I was pretty happy with the result.

Now it's just looking for a home. What do you think, dear readers?

The Ship Hat Project . . .

For quite a while now I've been wanting to do some ridiculous Rococo hat, but I generally try to be practical with my projects: if there's no pressing need for something, ie, an event I need it for, then I won't spend time and money on it. So, my new shop is a Godsend; now I can make the hat I've been wanting to do for years!

Fashions from the Kyoto Costume Institute has been one of my historical costuming bibles for eight years or so; when I'm looking for inspiration on something new, I usually start here. I saw this fabulousness and immediately the idea lodged in my head that I wanted to do a ship hat. I have a friend who did an incredible tri-corn with a ship on it, and now it's my turn.

My inspiration is the above portrait by Jean Baptiste Grueze. I'm thinking white silk duchesse satin over my usual Fosshape base, white sheer pleated trim, a blue and white striped silk bow, and a little wooden tall ship painted in white and gold.

I found a great little shop that sells ship ornaments in just the right size; I ordered two and spray-painted the first one (sorry Admiral Lord Nelson, but the Victory is white now!) I'm so excited to get started on this; the ship needs one more coat of white, then needs the gold details. Then, on to the building of the hat. I'll try to document as much as I can; this is going to be fun;)

Etsy Week!

Victorian-Civil War-Goth-Riding Top Hat

This week, I intend to feature amazing Etsy Shops everyday. It's so important to support and buy handmade items in this day and age of mass-produced, homogenized drivel, and these artists are at the top of their game. Show them some love and buy handmade!

First up is the incredible Topsy Turvy Hats! Kim Brown-Dye is
the skilled milliner who creates these funky, beautiful hats, each a work of art all its own. From homburgs to tricorns, top-hats to fascinators, Topsy Turvy Hats has a little something for everyone;)



Victorian Top Hat In Velvet - The Beaux

As soon as I have funds to spare, I am getting a hat from her! It's no secret I hate making hats, and I'm always happy to find a fabulous milliner to add to my supplier-list!

Victorian Boater with Berries

The Shien - 18th Century Masquerade Hat with Gilded Ship

Flapper - Feather - Headband - Fascinator - Black

If historical millinery is one of your passions, or if you just love incredible hats, check Topsy Turvy out. You won't be sorry (though you may hate me for making you a little poorer for the suggestion;)

All pics are copyrighted Topsy Turvy Hats!