Monday, May 4, 2009

Winter Hats

Today I finished off some winter hats that I started over the weekend. They're all made using my Hat patterns for adults and kids.

I made a bucket hat in this fab textured cotton fabric (scraps from my sewing buddy's coat). It looks cute with the brim slightly rolled, perched at a jaunty angle.... almost like a top hat. I used a vintage button from the stash I inherited from my grandmother.

Wool... OH HOW I LOVE making wool hats!!! I made a couple of kids hats in wool today, and FLEW through the process.

HOT TIP: If you're new to hat-making, make one in a brushed wool flannel or wool velour (even better, wool-cashmere!). It's the most malleable, forgiving fabric you'll find. Easing curves together is a dream and it steams into shape beautifully.

With a few rough running stitches and cross-stitches, it also makes a super-cosy little winter hat.

I used medium-light interfacing in these hats - didn't want too much stiff structure in the wool.

This hat below is in a brushed wool flannel. I used a straight-grain binding to create a sharp curve on the brim and made simple poppies with pinking shears and micro-suede.


Sometimes I have an idea and then I don't like it once it's made. This hat is one of those.... It's handwoved Donegal tweed in all the wrong colours. I thought I could make it work by doing a particularly rustic flower thing on it.... hmmmm.... not sure about it now.
I've been incubating this flower idea for a while but I think they'd work better on a bag or cushion.


I did like this hat, though - beige moleskin with micro-suede binding and belt (and another one of Nan's buttons). It didn't look like much until it was on a head. Mine was the nearest.


That old how to photograph yourself in a hat issue arose again. Lots of pictures of the floor, bag rack and a few blurry hats.... and a few that give you the picture... (At least it was daylight this time!)


If you want to learn the tricks and tips of fabric hat-making, I have a two-day workshop in October- and I think there are a couple of places left on it. If you're interested you can email Leah at sales@nicolemdesign.com.au .

If it's model millinery techniques you want to learn - and you can get to Melbourne - then Serena Lindeman is your girl. You can download her current course list here, and she'll be updating with a July-December schedule soon. If you want to be on her mailing list you can email her at serena.l@optusnet.com.au .

Happy hatting! Oh - and I'll be back to bags soon. I'm incubating a few ideas there, too...

16 comments:

  1. Love the Donegal Tweed One - I think the colours are fab!

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  2. Beautiful photo of you and hat! I'm so loving seeing all your hat ideas and fabrics. Such fun.
    xxx

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  3. Great hats nikki, Love the last one!

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  4. Great hats, if only I looked good in a hat!

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  5. I also love the last one Nikki. Lucky I am already signed up.
    Kerry

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  6. Nikki-you are a hat genius! I know what you mean about the loose-woven wools. I made a jacket a while back that didn't seem to fit together at the collar quite right, so I kind of forced it in and hand-stitched it. It's one of the nicest looking jackets I've made!

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  7. I love 'the tweed in all the wrong colours'. Don't think they look wrong at all. Would love to see R in a pair of matching tailored shorts and opaque tights for winter???.............in all that spare time you have! lol

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  8. Wow, haven't you been busy? Shopping at all those markets and making hats? That's just crazy talk!!

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  9. Wow, gorgeous gorgeous hats!!

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  10. Oh, I do LOVE those hats! Especially the one on you. I really must get some lovely wool cashmere and get sewing! But it is hard for me to drag myself away from prints.

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  11. Hi Nikki, Great Hats, Could you do a tut on those pink flowers (the ones you thought would look better on a bag) they looked fab!!

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  12. nice work!
    I've awarded you the Queen of All things Awe-summm! Come on over and pick it up sometime when you're not busy being awe-summm. x

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  13. They're beautiful! I love the last one especially! Everything about it is wonderful!

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  14. Your hats are fabulous!I have never made a hat before but that wool hat has me itching to try your pattern...Stunning fabrics too!

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  15. Beautiful hats for a very Paris 36 Melbourne winter. Gorgeous as always.

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I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki