HATS!

   I have for years belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) an international, non profit educational organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe (Ooo shameless plug!) I have had occasion to be recognized within that circle for my skill at creating period worthy garments but my focus was really on the clothing not so much on the head wear.  However some years back a friend introduced me to a recreationist community I was previously unaware of with interests in Regency and Victorian era clothing and HATS. 

 

    OMG! The hats! I never in my life wanted so much for big foofy hats to come back in style just so I could make enough to wear a new one to the grocery store every single day.  I know women's lives sucked back then but dang they had some awesome clothes and HATS! 

 

 

This is, or rather was, my favorite Regency bonnet, my second piece from that era.
Unfortunately, somewhere between the one event I actually got to wear it
and the three moves since it has disappeared :(

 



 

 

This was my first try at a Regency bonnet.

I fpllowed a tutorial and turned a straw pith helmet (safari hat),

a nice little thrift store find, into this cutey

  

 

 

 

This is my newest hat.  The floof took on a life of its own, first it was just the ribbons then the matching band, I found contrasting fabric for a second band and gold trim, a brooch appeared and oh the feathers which sit perfectly on the brim and wrap around the hat ever so nicely.  The mactching 1880's walking gown still isn't constructed BUT I have the hat!

 

 

Within the SCA I am known as
 Lady Lareej Jaida bint al Shammari Badr al Dujja
My persona is a 14th century Persian noblewoman
this is one of my tiara headdresses. 



A Turkish pillbox hat with the fascinator to die for.
 

This was a commission piece for a friend.

It is a 13th century Russian povoinik,

essentially a muffin cap with an attached snood

 

 

 

 

"Climbing Over Rocky Mountain" - to see my hats!



 "Pirates of Penzance" 

Ventura College Dance and Theatre Department Production Fall 2012

This clip is special to me as company milliner for this production

I created all the frilly bonnets for the twenty 'sisters' :)




A few of the bonnets each in various stages of prep


 

This is probably my favorite bonnet, the lace remnant was beautiful and I just love the little roses.




 

Black and White Harlequinn Fascinator

Black and White Harlequinn Fascinator

This is a recently finished project for my steampunk collection. 

 

 

     This little beauty took me six months to finish, give or take a few days.  Not because I'm particularly slow but shortly after starting I had to move so she was packed away half finished and it took me a while to get to the box she was in.  Then after she was sewn I was having a hard time finding the perfect little chotchky to make it something special.
You know what I mean?
     As it happens a couple weeks ago on some random urge I stopped by the dollar store. They were getting ready to close and I had about five minutes to shop so I went  sprinting through the store like a madwoman. I'm rushing, I'm hurrying when all of a sudden I caught a glimpse of something white out of the corner of my eye and I stopped dead in my tracks, the shopping cart wheels made skreechie noises and everything.  I turned. I looked and a choir of angels began to sing as destiny laid a hand upon my shoulder and directed me toward the chotchsky of my dreams. A cute little harlequinn mask bedecked in black tulle! Squeeee!

 

I was ever SO happy to finally finish  my cute little hat, I think she turned out quite lovely.

All hand sewn.
The body is stuffed to give it some weight
and the brim is stuffed to give it panache