Fascinator of the Week!

I am delighted with this wee number!  In fact, I absolutely covet it!  It is the first completely hand sewn fascinator I have made – something I have wanted to try for a while.  Previously I have pulled out my trusty hot glue gun and dived into a pile of feathers and sparkles to see what treasure I surface with.  I like the idea of including more robust ‘millinery’ techniques to give better structure, improve longevity and add, what I like to think of as, keepsake-ability.  Fascinators are usually worn on special occasions and for me they capture the memory of a day.  I have my bridal fascinator on my dressing table and I find myself fondly touching it as I walk past.  Millinery is a very highly skilled craft and I would love to learn more about this ‘lost art’.  I am not trying to claim any hat making skills were genuinely involved in the making of this piece, but it was definitely a step up from hot glue, burnt fingers and denuded birds.  It was very rewarding to make.  

Sweet 50′s style fascinator.

I made it as a gift for a friend’s birthday – she shares my appreciation for frilly, girly headgear so it seemed the perfect time to take on the Hand Sewing Challenge.  The design process was very ‘organic’ (ie lacking firm direction) but there were elements I wanted to include to reflect some of my friend’s favourite things.  She loves netting so that was a must have, the silks for the rose came from scraps and off-cuts to give it a splash of pink, and the silver thread on the felt leaves added the necessary bling factor.  This was a stitch technique I ‘made up’ while messing around trying out different ideas.  I love the sweet-but-prim, 50′s feel to this piece.  My friend is sweet, cheerful and embodies politeness and old-fashioned etiquette in a modern world.  I hope she loves it and wears it as much as I would (refer to my stated covetous feelings).  Luckily for me, it is an easy template to make other designs from – which I absolutely plan to do.  For years I have had the inkling that my Life Calling involved making some ‘thing’ that came in a box and makes the recipient feel cherished and special, I have just never been able to work out what was in the box.  Bespoke hats and fascinators may be that very thing.  Even though this one wouldn’t get me on Martha Stewart and it would pale beyond comparison beside a divine Philip Treacy, it is a start and I think it is quite simply yummy!

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