Miss Marple’s Hat

I’m a mystery addict. I love all mysteries, but I’ll always go with an Agatha Christie if there is one available. So, when I found the BBC Miss Marple series, of course, I tuned in. I was into the show, but then

               BAM

There it was.

This little dusty-blue felt hat that just blew me away. Sitting there on Miss Jane Marple’s head. The details are wonderful. I tried to get a good picture of it by photographing the TV with my camera phone. You probably know how that goes. TV screens and cameras don’t mix very well. I did manage to get the vague idea recorded. It’s a good thing I knew the plot already because I lost all focus on the show. All I could do was hope I would see that hat in upcoming scenes. Luckily she wears it quite often. See, Miss Marple thinks it’s wonderful too! 

I WANT TO MAKE ONE! I WANT TO MAKE ONE FROM FELT AND I WANT TO FORM IT AND PUT THE REVERSE SCALLOP EDGE ON IT AND LITTLE PERFORATIONS IN THE POINTS AND THE CUTE BOW THINGY.

I’m not sure I have that skill set quite yet, but I really want to make that little hat! And even though I may lack some skills, I will apply myself to MAKING THAT HAT! 

I won’t get to wear it because I look horrible in low crowns like this one, but the fun is in the creation, right? I’ll keep you updated on the process. Keep your fingers crossed.

hats, Hats, HATS!!! Whew! They’re in the Bag

The hats and one bag are all finished for Eiko’s show this weekend. I hope the hurricanes and lesser showers stay away from Aiken, South Carolina, and Aiken’s Makin.  Good luck, Eiko! 

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I have to say I really like some of these. I will have to use these patterns again. I love the berets with the refashioned knit bands. The brown band on this latest beret is SOOOOO soft! I cut it from a ladies’ t-shirt that I found at a thrift store and it’s almost buttery soft. 

Broad-brimmed Sunhat turned-up brim

The broad-brimmed sun hat is light and airy in the crown, but the brim is interlined with a foam that’s used to pad and stiffen purses without too much stiffness or weight. It holds its shape well and turns up nicely all the way around or just half-way.  I will be using more of this for stiffening. 

Front of cap

The adult and child caps are cut on the bias and it gives them a great shape. It was a little fidgety to get sewn, but by serging the edges before sewing them it helped hold them in shape better. 

I think I invented the pleated brim, but, who knows? There is nothing new under the sun, after all. I like it. Hope someone else does. 

Hat with pleated brim.
Detail of pleat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These pictures don’t do it justice. I was in a hurry. The pleats make the brim looks a little like the edges of a morning glory flower. 

The bag was just a whimsy. Eiko had woven some wide stripes and I couldn’t bear to cut into them, so I used the full width and made a tote from them. 

If you’re in the Aiken, South Carolina, area this weekend try to take in the festival. It looks like a lot of fun and Eiko is very cute and friendly!

Hats, hats & more hats..

I really hope some of these hats sell. We have less than 6 weeks now before Eiko takes them to her show out-of-state and we swapped hats for more woven fabric this morning.  She is weaving like crazy and I’m making hats, trying to keep them original and attractive. Handwoven fabric is a challenge to sew. It is beautiful. I love Eiko’s color choices and weaving patterns, but one of the fabrics kept getting caught on the feed dogs and the presser foot. 

I think they are all cute. I hope someone else does too!

Here are some new pics of the sun hat I made earlier after I stiffened the brim a bit with topstitching and removed the flower pin.