I am an absolute beginner when it comes to millinery, so this step-by-step may only end up being a warning to others - don't make my mistakes!
I tried reading the instructions, but they were not very helpful or clear. (mostly due to the strange layout of instructions for different views.)
I very quickly learned that pushing the felt up is *not* the way to go. (see the wrinkles on the buckram and the felt? Yah. That's not good.) I salvaged what I could and moved on to the other side...
Haha! Success! Besides looking much like a Lovett pastry, all the wrinkles are worked out to the edge of the hat, leaving the crown nice and smooth. This is what I was aiming for!
I guess I'm supposed to trim the edge??? I turned the bottom over the edge, but it doesn't seem right to do it again for the other side. Hm. We'll see how it goes, I guess.
Okiedokie - The lining and fashion fabric (which just so happen to be the *same* fabric) have been stretched over the buckram + felt base. Not too shabby for my first attempt! (Now looking less like a sickly Lovett pastry, and more like a lovely Elizabeths Bakery pastry!)
Ok, this is where I got *really* confused! I just ended up ziq-zag stitching around the brim, because I didn't quite know what to do at this point! It'll all be covered up by trim, so I'm not too worried about it.
At first I loved the idea of the gold brush fringe on the underside, but now I'm not so sure. I am, however LOVING the box-pleated trim! Nothing is sewn down yet, but this is the basic idea. I need to figure out how I'm going to cover the stitching running down the middle of the trim. *Ponder*
Ok, I admit, it's still looking pretty lame at this point, but it will get better! Getting the tilt and oval shape to the crown and brim will do wonders for making this hat look more like a hat and less like a giant gold bowl.
Tonight I'll work on finishing up the box pleats and the standing ribbons. It'll look more like a hat then, I hope! yah, not liking the brush fringe so much. I think it's coming off tonight.
I'm on the hunt for birds/bird wings/feathers to frolic upon mah chapeau like these ladies have.....
And bonus! Pleated collar precedent!
Muahaha...it's ALIVE!!!
Holly, there's an armchair and a blankie in the corner for you (and dogs) to lounge in! Demitri is so very thoughtfully keeping your spot warm. (the goggies are very pleased that they have somewhere to be in the room with me. Since the Great Sewing Room Update, they've been very displeased that they no longer had 'their' space in my room.) I purchased a $90 rug at a yard sale for $10, and it's now the "must be clean" zone. It helps me to have a defined area that must be kept free from clutter at all times! And it's just big enough to be a great staging area for Bertha.
I've also found a short-ish bookcase that fits under the window in which I've stashed most of my trimmings baskets. There's 6 there, and I can't remember what each one is devoted to and where it is! I had memorized everything, but since I moved everything around (again) I'm drawing a blank! I know I have two more baskets that fit into the genre that don't fit, and they're currently residing under the cutting table.
On top of the bookcase is my huge basket of "to be finished" projects. I'm hoping if I keep them out in the open so they can continue to taunt and make me feel guilty, one day they'll actually be finished!
The long-term plan is to find a floor-to-ceiling bookcase to go in the corner opposite the door to store trimmings and supplies, and the bookcase under the window will become a bookcase for...ya know, books. But that's down the road, since I haven't found an appropriate bookcase for a reasonable price. (yet)
Next on the list of wants is a TV and a cable box so I have something to listen while I'm puttering around in my room alone. All alone. :( I hate sewing by myself.
Well, it actually looks much the same as it did the last time I posted, but honestly, I did a LOT of stuff, and turned my fingers to hamburger in the process. I felt very unproductive - these are the finishing not-so-fun parts that take forever. Well, that and I went to bed before 8 every night. Man, I needed that.
Ok, so here's what I did:
-Attached lining at sleeve cuffs
-Made and attached standing collar (inside ruffled collar)
-Tacked bias ribbons between ruffles
-Closed bag lining opening
-Tacked inverted pleats
-Made and attached 3 rosette-y things to bustle area
My inverted pleats are looking a wee bit sad. After some steaming and spreading out over a bustle, I have faith they'll look more presentable. Right now they just look wonky and sad. I'm trying to decide about the rosettes. Take away the gold and leave the buttons? Leave it alone completely? I dunno. It's an easy fix, whatever I end up doing.
Yesterday I started on the hat, since all I have left on the bodice is the button holes. And button holes scare me TO DEATH. I hate 'em. With a passion. So I'm going to go on to something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT....YAY! Hats of cuteness!
Uh. Ok. So it's pretty lame right now, I admit....but when it's done, it'll be cute.....I hope! So far all I have is the buckram base and the millinery wire attached.
I have wild fantasies about being able to get home before 7:30 pm so I can get some quality time in the sewing room before I pass out. We'll see how that works out. *yeah right*
