1950's hat for Twinwood - Trials and tribulations

Ok so I made my dress (photo's/blog post coming soon) and I needed a hat...well I couldn't go to Twinwood and not have the full 50s ensemble.
Now the problem is, I didn't have the money to buy one or have one made...I couldn't find anything in local vintage shop. Hiring one was too much fuss plus I'd be scared it would get ruined. so I had to make one myself. Unfortunately I decided this even more last minute than I decided to make the dress. So it would have to be cobbled together with what I had to hand.
Firstly I needed to decide on a style. Initially I wanted a close 'cap' or headband style.

But this really didn't look right on me. It sat oddly and wanted to slide off...

So Next I thought with 3 days to go...I'll try the saucer shape hats.

It was simple to make I used a plate, covered the flat base with felt disk padded out with old tights to make my 'mold'. I then made a framework of masking tape. then came the messy bit I used the left over gummed paper tape from my dress form to create the hat.

Note: If you try this over the plate with something like felt or fabric or something or else the gummed paper sticks to the plate and you can't get it off without ripping some of the brim and leaving the plate with paper stuck to it. ooops!

I soon *ahem* rectified the error covering the rips and using some paper covered wire to reenforce the brim. Covering it in another layer of gummed paper.

I then added my decorations, and superglued the comb onto the underside.

I hope noone coments on how its paper. A bit make do and mend I know. But with a few modifications I can see how I could use this technique to make a stiff layer without having to use buckram.

Make do and Mend Hat

For a while I've been meaning to upcycle a hat like in the video below.

HATS aka MAKE AND MEND HATS

Even found a hat in a sale for £3 to use...and saved up some feathers.

Original hat

I found it surprisingly quick and easy to do. I didn't pleat the crown as it already was sort of pleated.

But first thing was to cut brim from crown.

 Before pining it in place and trying it on for size. Once I was happy with the angle sewed brim to crown.

 I then set about covering up my stitching with a ribbon and adding a loop so I could add feathers later.

I then experimented with various arrangements of feathers before finally settling on the present display.

I just need to ad some kind of comb or grip at the back to make sure it stays on my head and tack the feathers.

Used a hatpin in the end. Matching the hairdo to the hat as reccommended.

1930's/40's style

I do like looking at the old newsreels some of the make do and mend ones are great for ideas.

This has an interesting 'waistcoat' element.

FASHION HINTS (aka PATCHWORK & HATS) (issue title - S.O.S.)

I do wonder where you ordinary woman would just have a hat block hanging around.

HATS (aka MAKE AND MEND HATS)

Although the 'clothes' they make from a shirt etc. Look nice. But they don't give instructions. :(

And now an appropriate poster so the novice seamstress....