Friday, February 22, 2013

Hat Making


I suppose it would only be natural that someone so gifted in making ribbon flowers would also make hats. After all, hats create a great palette for all sorts of artistic expression! Ribbon flowers and trims, feathers, ruffles, and tulle can all work together for a stunning effect! So, in addition to silk and satin flowers and trims, Deb shared some of the hats she made. She started by showing us her (antique) wooden hat blocks. Their surfaces were worn to a beautiful patina from use over time. They are the form that heavy buckram is placed over to create the unique shape of a desired hat. The buckram is coated with a vegetable sizing and becomes pliable when wet. It can be molded, formed, tucked, and darted to create the shape the designer wants. After it dries it becomes very stiff and makes a solid foundation for the rest of the hat. At that point, many beautiful fabrics and trims can be stitched on. Deb even showed us how she used builder's Tyvek (high density polyethylene fibers) as a material for some of her hats. They meld, shape, and bond so beautifully when mixed with tulle, laces, and textiles. From fascinators to fedoras, Deb made hat-making look simple yet elegant and fun!

Click on the photo montage for a larger view.

6 comments:

  1. I'm just waiting for Jill to see this post. :)

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  2. Would you believe that I had never, until now, even imagined what the base of hats was? Amazing. Must send Jill over here if she doesn't find her way on her own.

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  3. After watching Downton Abbey and this year's Jubilee Celebrations in England, I'm all ready for hats to become popular again, at least for "dressing up". :)

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  4. This is very interesting. My daughter has made some hats as well, they are such a detailed craft and so fabulous when they are finished!

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  5. I always wanted a wooden hat block, but just for display. The hat demonstration does look quite fun.

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  6. Oh I wish women would "get" how fun it is to make AND wear hats! Buckram is a gateway to creativity; any shape can be made and in past decade milliners rolled out all sorts of wonderful designs. The matching hat and coat look was so smart.

    Love this post!

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