I taught another round of the felt cloche class at Stitch Lab last weekend, offering a Friday night/Saturday afternoon workshop that was great. I didn’t have to schlep all of the steamers and blocks twice, a student was able to come from the Dallas area and attend with minimal travel expenses, plus it allowed for a continuity in the hat-making process which was wonderful. Here’s pics of the two very different designs that resulted:
Sharon blocked a deep cloche hat with an up-turned, asymmetrical brim that was fringed along the front edge - fun! - and slashed above the left ear to reveal a “feather” bauble and the vintage silk velvet ribbon band.
Felt Cloche with Fringed Brim
And Ginger blocked a sportier hat with a pleated crown and brim, all neatly topstitched by hand. With excess felt trimmed from the brim and a gold-tone button, she fashioned a petaled flower for the side and found the perfect brown rayon and metallic ribbon for the band. Too cute!
Brown Hat with Felt Flower
Just for kicks, I’ll also post a couple images of a fur felt hat I made yesterday using the same basic techniques and balsa utility blocks that we use in the Felt Cloche class. This hat is blocked from a capeline, rather than a hood, and is the historical bicorne shape, perfect for trims — hand-dyed silk ribbons, antique buckles, and three ostrich plumes for this particular beauty.
Felt Bicorne with Silk Ribbons (F)
Felt Bicorne (Side)
It is a donation for a silent auction at Austin’s French Legation Museum which hosts a Bastille Day event annually. Go bid on my hat, hear Olivier Giraud & Continental Graffiti play music reminiscent of Paris in the 1930’s, dance, and indulge in French food & wine, all while supporting a beautiful historic structure in East Austin. Ooh la la!