In the quest to be ever huger in our 1830s attire, the Gigot Girl Gang™ chose a variety of headgear to top off each of our ensembles. Maggie used bonnet shapes from…
-
-
The State of the Book (2) Address
Abby works on Cynthia’s (Redthreaded) hair while I photographs each step for “The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty,” coming July 2019. Hi! I’ve been a pretty terrible blogger again this…
-
A “Miss Fisher” 1920s Burgundy Cloche Hat
It pales in comparison to the original, but I’m quite happy with my burgundy Miss Fisher hat, retro-cycled from a sad garage sale find. I know it’s February – practically Spring! –…
-
FlapperHacks: Re-blocking Wool Hats
On today’s edition of FlapperHacks, I’ll share a couple of wool hats I’ve created for my Autumn Miss Fisher wardrobe. These hats were formerly in one shape, and have become another –…
-
A Summer Straw Cloche for Mom
I’ve been on a hatmaking binge, ever since I refashioned my black straw Gatsby hat. No hat in my house is safe now. Even the moth-eaten hat husks waiting to go out…
-
Belle Curves: Improving A Modern Cloche Hat
We all have them lurking in our closets, those cloche hats we’ve been collecting for years. You may have one, you may have three, or if you’re like me, you may have…
-
Options for 1830s Headgear
This coming weekend is the first time I’ll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to create a…
-
A Quick 1879 Bonnet from a 1950s Hat
I’ve had a lot of questions about the bonnet I wore with my 1879 Tea Dress. I didn’t have time to construct a late 1870s/early 1880s bonnet, and I’m not all that…
-
2013 Costume College, Pt. 1
I’m back! I’m alive! Costume College was splendid this year. I had SO much fun, met and chatted with so many cool people, and took so…SO…many photos. I’m breaking this up into…
-
V250: Finished 1770s Parisian Chapeau
Awhile ago I posted a little page of sketches for a late 1770s hat to go with my striped “Parisian Gown.” I went out and bought all the materials for it, but…
-
V247: Making a 1790s Gainsborough Hat
Yesterday I made a Gainsborough hat to go with the new purple 1790s “Robe Royaliste”. I researched many a fine fashion plate from Dames a la Mode, and raided the craft store…
-
V208: 1770s Chapeau de Paris Sketches
I’m winding down the Parisian Gown (at least the gown part of it), and realize I need an awesome hat to go with it. No ordinary bergere will do – I want…
-
V96: The 1780s/1910s Double-Period Hat
A few posts ago I staked lampshade style bonnets of the 1780s against similar chapeaus of the 1910s. My idea was to see if one hat could be used for both periods,…
-
V89: Fashion Face-Off – Hats of the 1780s and 1910s
As we all know, history repeats itself, and fashion especially. Nothing is ever “new” on the runway (well, maybe if it’s a suit made out of bubble wrap, etc.), and this was…
-
V88: A Massive Merry Widow Hat
I have to run, but I have much to tell you in regards to hats, tomorrow. 🙂 For now, enjoy this image from Bartoscollection.com, and the many more very cool photographs of…
-
V80: Petersham vs. Grosgrain Ribbon
What is the difference between Petersham and Grosgrain ribbon? Both ribbons are ribbed and have a matte finish, but there is one really big difference, the edge finish. Grosgrain ribbon has a…
-
V78: 1950s “Ladies Who Lunch” Outfit
I gave my presentation on hats, 1850-1960, yesterday, and wore something I thought was appropriate for an afternoon luncheon. Dress: made from vintage Butterick 8154 Hat: vintage mink “caterpillar” toque found in…
-
V75: The True Origin of “Mad as a Hatter”
Here’s a random bit of trivia for you to pull out at your next Mad Men cocktail party… The Mad Hatter, illustration by John Tenniel , 1865 Where Does the Phrase “Mad as a…
-
V73: A Brief History of Feathers-on-Hats
via I’ve been researching hats lately, and came across some fascinating information concerning feathers. We all know the iconic mega-feathered hats of the Edwardian era. The Edwardians were particularly enamored with plumage,…
-
V71: Hats of the 19teens – Choices, Choices
Today I am researching hats 1850 through 1960s, in preparation for a presentation next week at the Churchill County Museum. I am camped out at Starbucks, raiding all of The Dreamstress’ pinboards,…