Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A Few Hats from Millinery Class

Hey readers! Back when I was in the midst of millinery class finals, you all left me so many encouraging words. I'm happy to report that I got my grade and I am officially an A student! As requested, I thought I'd model a few of the hats I made. Here are three of my favorites.

This red beret might be my very favorite. (Also, it's the only one I've actually worn!)

It's made out of a velour hat body, blocked on a wooden beret block, and accented simply with a bow made from velour remnants. (If you're unfamiliar, blocking is the process of steaming and then shaping material on a block--a hat-shaped piece of carved wood.)



Secondly, a sapphire blue cloche. This one is also made from velour. The crown was blocked on a "headsize block" (just a head shaped block with no design details) and the crown was done on a cloche brim, with the pleats added by moi.


This little series of pictures is also the result of me trying to improve my photography skills. The one below came out overexposed, but I actually quite like how it highlights the hat.

The trim is a silk ribbon with some vintage millinery berries.

Lastly, a saucer hat. This one is really more of a fascinator, head onto the head with an elastic. The material is black straw, with decorative hot pink leaves.

I have 8 more, which I hope to take photos of soon. I'm now deep into the summer semester, with the class "Fabric Hat Construction." This entails lots of berets, which makes me happy--I don't think there's any style I really love more than a beret. I'm registered for two more courses in the fall (Contemporary Men's Hats as well as Bridal and Evening Hats). It turns out that millinery has quite a hold on me for some reason. I enjoy the way it's given me a different perspective on fashion and sewing. So, more hats to come!

67 comments:

  1. awesome. i'm totally in love with the blue one :)

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  2. I am loving the hat posts. I love hats but have such a hard time buying them because my head is ginormous. These are great.

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  3. All your hats are gorgeous...I really can't decide which one I like most. Can't wait to see the others you've made!

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  4. the red beret is fabulous! i also love the saucer hat.

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  5. Love the hats! Such a fascinating subject, love the nerdyness of it ;)

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  6. These are gorgeous! The over-exposed picture looks beautifully intentional. Look out Philip Treacy! :)

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  7. Oh they're all so pretty! The red one especially, that's my favourite :)

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  8. I love, love, love the blue cloche - Blue, cloche hats and a little pleat detail...perfect!

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  9. The cloche is so beautiful! Please put one in the shop!

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  10. Lovely hats, look forward to seeing what the other millinery classes produce.

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  11. Those are SO awesome!!!

    I am ashamed that I even thought of this pun, but "hats off" to you. Whomp whomp.

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  12. Oh Gertie, they are beautiful! I love love love the beret. Oh, really, I love them all. But the beret looks so amazing on you!

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  13. These are so cute! The beret looks completely fabulous on you.

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  14. I have fallen in love with the tilt hat!! IN LOVE!!!!

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  15. You look so cute in all of them. I love, love, love the cloche!

    I used to wear hats all the time, not sure why I stopped.

    Happy creating!

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  16. What fabulous work! I've always adored hats, and your creations make me want to run out and buy a couple.

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  17. Gorgeous! I love all of them, but I can see why you've already worn the red; the style and colour really spells "Gertie" =)
    Someday I want to take a millinery class, it seems like so much fun! For now, I'll have stick to trying to become a better seamstress...
    Looking forward to seeing more of your hats!

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  18. They're all so beautiful! I love the blue one. I'm a sucker for cloches.

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  19. Love the beret and saucer - you have a gift!

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  20. They are all great, but the beret is THE BEST. I don't usually like berets, but yours has tons of panache.

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  21. so makes me wish there millinery classes to take here(downside of island living)your hats are simply great and sounds like you had lots of fun

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  22. I *love* the beret, and a good beret is practically the only hat I don't have.

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  23. Those classes sound like so much fun... and I'm just "hat-crazy" so thanks for the eye-candy!

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  24. Those are gorgeous hats! Fingers crossed that we start seeing some in your shop. ;)

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  25. I'm not surprised you got a A! Congratulations. All the hats look amazing and I'm excited to see your other creations!

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  26. Congratulations on your success! I just love the cloche. I don't really do hats as I struggle to find ones that suit and fit, but I do love seeing them on other people.

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  27. Very cute! And you wear them well.

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  28. These are gorgeous, Gertie! I would love to take a millinery class. I've been teaching myself from books and using vintage hat forms I purchased at an antique store, but I'd love to be able to learn from someone who could correct my mistakes as I go!

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  29. They're all fabulous, but I think I like the black one the most :) Did you do all of the weaving by hand or did you just block woven straw? Would that even work?

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  30. Love your hats especially the blue one. Such a cool style. What a fantastic course, would love to do something like that. Best of luck for your next lot of classes

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  31. Gertie your talent never ceases to amaze me! Bonus, they look great on you!

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  32. Your hats are so beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the others.

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  33. Just beautiful. I think each one is special and you can see the care that went into making them. The pleats are genius. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. that red beret is absolutely amazing. love, love, love the bow. you are really talented.

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  35. You look gorgeous in all - but that cloche - it's really stunning.

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  36. Those are amazing, wonderful job! I love that blue cloche.

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  37. Gertie - they are ALL beautiful! You got some skills, girl!

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  38. Oh, I do like these. The cloche is delish but unfortunately I just can't wear them, they don't suit me at all.

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  39. Such beautiful hats! I love hats, and recently came across a group of stores with vintage-y hats which made me almost mad with joy, but none are as lovely as yours!

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  40. They're gorgeous - great work!!

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  41. Wow these look absolutely amazing! I'd love to make hats like this, so beautiful! Looking forward to seeing the rest! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk

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  42. Love them all! The saucer hat is very Kate Middleton!!!

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  43. What? no A PLUS PLUS PLUS? These are all stunning, as are you in them!

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  44. Wow Gertie...your hats are TDF!

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  45. That blue cloche takes my breath away. If you want some of my money, you might consider putting it in the shop. In a variety of colors and perhaps a summerweight. That way, I could send you even more of my money.
    Did I mention I love the blue cloche?

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  46. Absolutely FABULOUS. i give you an A+++ myself! That red beret is to DIE for. I don't do cloches, but that blue one is a stunner. And the fascinator as well! Loks like you've found yet ANOTHER metier!>applause<

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  47. The hats are beautiful and you look fab in them. May I say that you are one of the few people on this planet who have a "hat face". That's a compliment, actually.

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  48. They're all beautiful, but I love the sapphire blue cloche; I think it's such a flattering style.

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  49. Gertie, I haven't popped in for a bit and I just have to say you are looking drop dead gorgeous!! The hats a fab too.

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  50. I adore that cloche! Nice work.

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  51. I love your hats. I'm also a hat wearer. Unfortunately, I have a small head and have trouble finding hats that fit.

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  52. Your hats are wonderful! Such nice work.
    I love to make hats.

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  53. I love the saucer hat! I would love to buy something like that.

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  54. I love the red beret so much. Please make another for your etsy shop, I would buy it in a heartbeat! x

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  55. Gorgeous! My favorite is the red beret. I would totally wear it. I want to take a millinery class now :)

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  56. You have to talk your instructor into writting a book. I love that cloches. I only wish it was pink. Blue makes me look sickly.

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  57. That is awesome. I want to buy a head/hat form now.

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  59. I had to tell you, but didn't want to enter the drawing.

    In a random, tiny shop in Portland, ME I found Adele Margolis' Book on Tailoring! For $6! So I of course bought it, and am loving it. Thank you for dropping that name so often that I'll never forget it!

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  60. Beautiful hats. I have been wearing a red beret just like yours just a little too much this winter here in oz. but it makes me warm and happy. Looking forward to seeing your other creations!

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  61. oh geez I love you black hat i want one Im too impressed by all

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  62. Your hats are incredible. I think I need to go to more events that require a hat!

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  63. I like the 1st one(red) the best. Other 2 are also nice!

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  64. I am MELTING over the sapphire blue cloche! I can't get a hat not to look like a costume on me, and not sure why... Guess I don't have the right "hattitude". You sure do, though!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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