Georgian Straw Hat

I made a Georgian ensemble about a year ago. It was complete with corset, petticoats and all, minus a hat. So about 5 months ago I finally made a hat to go with it. I took two straw hats and taking the crown from one and the brim from the other combined them into one.

I then took the spare crown and sewed it inside the other crown so that the hat would sit with the right angle.

Then came time to steam and shape the hat.

I basically just reshaped the brim so that it went up in the back instead of down.

I then took scrapes from my dress, some random flowers and feathers I had laying around and trimmed it.

Overall I like what came out. It looks quite pretty when I pile my hair up and perch it cockily on top.

1950's tilt topper

So I made a 1950's tilt hat today using an old vinyl record. I used boiling water to heat and shape the hat.

But before I share the hat I want to exclaim over some great patterns and vintage notions that I got for really cheap at an estate sale. I was got several boxes of patterns and a box of belt buckles and a bunch of hat buckram. 

So many patterns!

There were so many patterns from the 80's and 90's that I am not sure what I will do with, but there was a number of patterns from the 50's and 60's that I really love.

It shall take me quite a while to sort through and organize these patterns.

There were massive belts buckles and small belt buckles.

 I am looking forwards to using these and making belts. Belts and hats are two of my favorite accessories.

So, on to the hat. I made it with from a vinyl record as the base.

 I boiled hot water and dumped that over it to soften it up. I then shaped the hat with my fingers. I covered the record title with a giant flower and gave it a finishing touch with some greenery and netting.

Overall I like the effect and want to wear this with a little 1950's looking black dress. I shall try to take pictures when I get the outfit around.

That's all for now.

1920's Swimsuit

So why bother writing a how-to blog post about something when someone else has already done a wonderful job on one?

Here is a wonderful costume blogger who has written a post about how to make a 1920's swimsuit.

I have now added this to my forever growing list of things to sew. I love vintage looking swimwear and have sworn to never again buy a modern suit. We shall see if I can keep to that promise. I think vintage swimwear is so much classier than the modern swimsuit. I have several new design sketches of swimsuits that I would love to wear. I just have to find material that I can use to make these suits. Sigh, the search continues...

That's all for now. I will try to post more here as the summer comes to a close and things get less busy.