Starr

As soon as I got my black velvet ribbon I knew I wanted to juxtapose it with a cluster of clear rhinestones, so I pulled every size of rhinestone I could find to get the effect I was looking for. There are sew-on rhinestones in fancy shapes, some rosette sew-ons that I actually bought in 1999 (!) for a totally different project which have languished in my crafts box since then, and teeny-tiny rhinestones to fill in some of the spaces and balance things out. I was trying to come up with a name for this hat when I was done, and all I could think of was the Sargent painting of Madame X, but "Madame X" was kind of a weird name for a hat, and the model's first name was Pierre, which was also a weird name, so I went with Starr, like stars in the sky. I think it works...

Starr:

Like sparkling stars in a velvety night sky, the Starr will make you catch your breath at its sheer beauty and elegance. Inky black velvet ribbon and gleaming black satin provide a textural contrast to the black felt hat, which is deepened by the airy black ostrich plume that floats like an evening cloud above it all. A huge faux diamond wrapped in silver filigree is surrounded by smaller rhinestones in all shapes and sizes, clustering like stars in a distant galaxy, while more tiny rhinestones accent the border between velvet and satin and the spine of the ostrich plume, peeping through the blackness like the first stars at twilight. If you're drawn to darkness but refuse to give up the fiery sparkle of diamonds, the Starr is the best of both worlds.

Priscilla and Pauline

More steampunk hats-- I really like the steampunk look, and the tweed and guinea feathers just go so well with the gears! The guinea feathers are kind of tough to deal with, since they curl to the front/back, as opposed to side-to-side like the ostrich plumes, so it's hard to put them on a hat without them sticking out in all directions. And they're so distinctive that they don't blend well into other feathers. But I think they go well in these applications-- the tweed seems to set them off nicely, since it's also a mottled brown from a distance. I used burgundy and French blue because they go well with brown tones, though I wish I had a dusty blue ostrich plume to match the ribbon like I did with the burgundy!

Priscilla:

Warm and feminine without being girly, the Priscilla is the essence of classic steampunk fashion. A traditional tweed in autumnal shades of brown is encircled with a double row of satin ribbon in burgundy and chocolate, while an embellished keyhole forms the centerpiece of a collection of gears. A brass flower set with a tiny glass pearl draws the eye towards a pair of speckled guinea feathers, and a fluffy claret-colored ostrich plume sweeps to the side. Brass wire swirls add whimsy, while a tiny antique gold key dangles for a finishing touch. If you're looking for the perfect accent to your steampunk ensemble, look no further than the Priscilla!

Pauline:

A companion piece to the Priscilla, the Pauline is just as classic, just as coordinated, but has more of a tailored feel. Warm shades of brown are echoed in the tweed hatband and the mottled guinea feather curling over the top of the crown, and a collection of gears surrounds an antique clock face and a tiny key. A double row of satin ribbon in French blue and chocolate brown adds a touch of color, while a white ostrich plume and a carefree wire swirl add a sense of lightness to the hat. All in all, the Pauline is a perfectly balanced addition to your steampunk wardrobe.

Lina

So I'd just finished up the last few brocade and velvet hats, and I was trying to branch out from the standard "brocade and jewel" or "steampunk" look, and thought that one of the golden yellow ostrich plumes would be a nice starting point for a more cheerful design. I kept things light and bright and for some reason this hat reminds me of a butterfly, with the ivory ribbon wings and vaguely antennae-ish brass swirls. Not quite sure who wants a black top hat with cheerful ribbon and feathers, but maybe someone will!

Lina:


Bright and coquettish as a sunny yellow butterfly, the Lina will brighten anyone's day. Ivory satin shadow-striped ribbon, accented with bright yellow, wraps around the hat and ends in a charmingly askew bow, which features a golden acrylic jewel the color of congealed sunshine and looped in brass wire. A fluffy golden ostrich plume sweeps airily to the side, dotted with tiny rhinestones, while whimsical brass swirls curl in every direction. Perched on your head, the Lina is so light and cheerful that it might flit off at any moment!

Verenna and Viola

These two are a slightly more goth-y take on the top hat, with black, silver, purple, velvet... all the stuff you generally associate with the goth aesthetic. Not as overtly "dark" as the Twilight hats, but they'd go well with a gothic lolita outfit or something similar.


Verenna:

Austerely beautiful, the Verenna has the sheen of antiqued silver combined with intricate black detail, creating a look that is darkly inviting. Black and silver brocade patterned with exotic paisley designs forms the background for a shield of swirling silver filigree, and frames an acrylic jewel as clear and cold as a winter sky. Twin ostrich plumes in lush black and cloudy gray rise above it all, set with twinkling rhinestones in black and white. The Verenna may be monochromatic, but what it lacks in color it makes up in style.

Viola:

Unlike Shakespeare's heroine, this Viola could never disguise herself as a boy-- from the purple dragons twining in sinuous grace over the brocade hatband, to the luscious black velvet ribbon encircling the base, to the sparkling amethyst-colored jewel centered on intricate vines of flowered brass filigree, she exercises her feminine wiles to the fullest. A fluffy black ostrich plume softens any remaining hard edges, while tiny rhinestones in shades of purple provide glittering accents to the whole.  When you put on the Viola, there's no way you'll avoid being noticed!

Danielle

I thought I'd take a step back from jeweled embellishments for a while and go with a more traditional floral. Most silk flowers these days tend to look kind of tacky, but this velvet flower (no idea what kind it's supposed to be-- it's kind of marigold-ish?) went really well with the antique-y look I was going for. I thought about trying to add rhinestones to the petals, either clear to look like dewdrops, or colored to add some sparkle, but thought better of it.

Danielle:

Adorned with antique velvet and pearls, the Danielle is as sweet and old-fashioned as your grandmother's parlor, with the same elegant lines and floral decorations. But lest you think old-fashioned means out of style, look again at the beautiful details that make this hat special. Rich velvet petals in shades of burgundy and pink are clustered together between leaves of brass filigree decorated with tiny pearls, while a band of wine-colored velvet ribbon and a delicate ruffle of ivory lace encircle the crown of the hat. Airy ostrich plumes in burgundy and ivory add lightness and a hint of modernity to this otherwise classic little piece of millinery. Wearing the Danielle, you will always be every inch a lady.

Peacocks, the End!

Lest you think that all of the peacock hats are blue or green, I made a few in other colors-- namely, black and purple. Because the black jewels actually are black both sides, rather than being backed in silver to provide maximum reflectivity, I decided to try something different and mount the black jewel back-to-front. This made for an interesting convex faceted surface instead of the usual flat-front, which I thought was cool but wouldn't work with any other color besides black. I may try it on some other hats, depending on the design. I also liked how the purple jewel brought out the hints of violet in the peacock feathers.

Irina:
Black as midnight, the Irina is encircled with a ribbon of inky black velvet and adorned with a shining black acrylic jewel. Against all that darkness, the gleam of intricate brass filigree and the sparkle of tiny blue and green rhinestones draw the eye like a beacon, while a single perfect peacock eye practically glows with vibrant color. Behind the screening tendrils of a black ostrich plume, a shimmering green peacock sword curves like a crescent moon, peeking over the edge to provide a hint of intrigue. Mysterious, exotic, and dripping in darkness, the Irina is a secret waiting to be unlocked.

Ivana:

Ivana. The name conjures up images of wealth, power, and an image that's almost-- but not quite-- too flawless to be truly beautiful. The Ivana has it all-- lush purple velvet, ornate brass filigree, a multi-carat amethyst-colored jewel, and feathers everywhere. A pair of eye-catching peacock feathers presides over an elaborate ensemble of velvet and jewelry, while a deceptively casual ostrich plume sweeps to the side to reveal tiny rhinestones along its length. Whether you're planning on being the power, or the woman behind the power, this hat will never be anything less than perfect.

Peacocks, Group 3

So this set of peacock feather hats was my attempt at branching out a little from the standard filigree-wrapped jewels, with wire-wrapping instead. They're a little less traditional, I think, but the wire still works with the peacock feather theme.

Isis:

Adorned in royal blue and gleaming gold, the Isis features shimmering peacock feathers and a jeweled amulet that wouldn't be out of place around the neck of an Egyptian queen. Plush velvet the color of lapis lazuli is an elegant backdrop for a deep sapphire-blue acrylic jewel wrapped in gold-colored wire and mounted to the center of a swirling circular ornament. A pair of peacock eye feathers in rich tints of green, blue, and violet is set with tiny rhinestones, and an arched peacock sword in iridescent green echoes the curve of the wire while another stretches upwards. Like a precious treasure from the age of the pyramids, this hat deserves to be on display!

Isadora:
Free-spirited and lovely, with a touch of the exotic, the Isadora is just as modern and graceful as her inspired namesake. Forest-green velvet sets the stage for a shining emerald-colored acrylic jewel, wrapped in delicate strands of wire in flowing curves. Whimsical swirls of brass are accented by miniature brass flowers set with tiny glass pearls, while above it all, two peacock eye feathers steal the spotlight and glitter with tiny rhinestones. Whether you're a dancer breaking through boundaries of the traditional, or just someone who wants to be noticed in a crowd, the Isadora is the perfect accessory for you.

Peacocks, Group 2

More blue and green peacock hats-- because I decided not to use the extra filigree backing, I had to come up with some other way to embellish the center jewels-- I kind of liked the effect of the trio of rhinestones on each side of the ribbon folds, it makes the whole thing look a bit more modern, and the brass flowers are of course a standby decoration for adding detail.

Isobel:

Modern and sophisticated, the Isobel sparkles with rhinestones and shimmers with peacock feathers, combining blues and greens in symphony of color. A dark blue velvet ribbon is wrapped around the hat and closed with a flat bow, embellished with chevrons of tiny rhinestones and a large sapphire-colored acrylic jewel wrapped in brass filigree. A single peacock eye feather is balanced by a pair of striking peacock swords in iridescent green, and the whole ensemble is backed with a fluffy ostrich plume in jet-black, with more rhinestones to draw the eye upwards. Layers and layers of colors and textures make up this gorgeously appointed hat.

Indira:

Indira" means "splendid," and one look at the Indira makes it obvious that it's the perfect word to describe this hat. A single faux emerald, securely wrapped in gleaming brass filigree, is surrounded by hand-sewn brass flowers set with tiny glass pearls, on a luscious backdrop of deep green velvet. A perfect pair of peacock eye feathers, clear rhinestones glittering like stars from their dusky centers, forms an exotic base for the rich curve of an iridescent green peacock sword, arcing above the crown of the hat like a shimmering rainbow. Truly, a hat fit for a queen.

Peacocks, Group 1

One of the first things I bought to decorate these hats was a batch of peacock feathers on eBay. They're just so full of exotic colors and lend themselves so well to different styles, that I had to use them for something. And the peacock sword feathers were actually really fun to work with-- they curl so easily and they have such intense color. As for the rest, it took me forever to find the velvet ribbon to use as the base for these, because it needed to be dark but still have color, and for some reason it was tough to find ribbon that was the right width and wasn't just in Christmas colors. Once I had all my supplies I just made a bunch of different hats in different color combinations, and this is the first batch. More to come! (though the question remains whether I can manage to come up with enough "I" names for them all)

Inara:


Lush and exotic, the Inara features a single peacock eye feather, accented with a glittering rhinestone and offset by two towering peacock swords in shimmering green. A deep emerald-colored acrylic jewel is wrapped in intricate brass filigree that is delicately set with tiny rhinestones and glass pearls. A deep forest-green velvet ribbon encircles the crown of the hat with rich color. From the bottom edge of the hand-cut ribbon, to the very tips of the sky-high feathers, this hat is pure glamour.























Illiana:

Midnight blue velvet and iridescent peacock feathers make a stunning combination in the Illiana, a hat that manages to be traditionally beautiful and intriguingly exotic at the same time. A clear sapphire-colored acrylic jewel is centered on gleaming swirls of brass filigree and surmounted by an ever-so-slightly offset pair of flawless peacock eye feathers. A single peacock sword curves gently over the crown of the hat, providing height and drama, while a blue velvet ribbon catches the light on its plush surface. Tiny rhinestones and glass pearls are delicate accents.

Rosaline and Rafaella

I love the fabric on these-- it was originally purchased for part of my cousin's steampunk outfit (to make a giant butt-bow, since she's 16 and apparently thinks that 80's bridesmaid dresses were the height of fashion), but there was enough left over to play with. Since there are so many colors in the brocade, it allowed for a few different looks, and I'll probably make another hat or two with it in the future.

The "fan" of fabric behind the jewel in the Rosaline really kind of evolved from an initial idea of a fabric bow, but once I realized I hadn't cut my strip of fabric long enough I turned to some new ribbon I'd just gotten in, which happened to coordinate perfectly. I thought about doing more gold threadwork on the crown instead of the feather (like the Adele) but decided that an ostrich plume would work after all. The Rafaella obviously has the more standard construction, but I thought the color combinations with the feather and the clear jewel worked well.

Rosaline:

Like her namesake from Romeo and Juliet, the Rosaline is beautiful with just a touch of haughtiness, always just out of reach while remaining impeccably garbed in rich claret-colored velvet and brocade, wrapped with brass filigree, and dazzling with a glowing topaz-colored acrylic jewel. Dramatic folds of fabric rise above the central stone, crowned further with a nodding ivory ostrich plume, as glass pearls and tiny rhinestones in diamond and ruby-red accent the intricate filigree embellishments. If Shakespeare's Rosaline had been wearing this little number, Romeo would never have dumped her for Juliet in the first place...

Rafaella:

As classic as a Renaissance painting and just as intricate in detail, the Rafaella is resplendent in gleaming wine brocade woven in antique gold and silver florals. A crystal-clear acrylic jewel is centered on a shield of delicate brass filigree set with tiny glass pearls. Jet black feathers like sweeping brushstrokes spiral upwards against the backdrop provided by a luxurious burgundy-colored ostrich plume. This sumptuous hat will make any ensemble a masterpiece.

Jeanette

Yes, the name is a conscious pun on "net," since I used two kinds of netting in this hat-- the coarse netting was supposed to mute the white and silver brocade, kind of like fishnet stockings, and the fine netting was just a nice way to add some softness. I stayed with the French "J" names in keeping with the black and white ribbon hats, just to keep in the black-and-white theme.

Jeanette:


Saucy and sassy as a French can-can dancer, the Jeanette features snowy silver-white brocade peeking out from behind flirty black netting, as a showy faux diamond draws every eye. Lacy black filigree is accented with tiny rhinestones, which trail upwards along the curling ostrich plumes that would be at home in any showgirl's headdress. As if this hat weren't gorgeous enough from the front, a quick turn to the backside displays frilly black and white tulle rosettes, centered with a trio of tiny pearls and black rhinestones! From any direction, this daringly darling hat will be the center of attention.

Alanna and Adele

These two were the result of my attempts at making more than one hat at a time in the same color family. I've found that it's so much easier to get out all of the decorating materials once for multiple hats, than to do them one at a time and have to be constantly getting things out and putting things back, and comparing fabrics and writing down ideas for next time. The idea here was to use some gorgeous blue/silver bamboo brocade, which of course necessitated silver accents, so I went from there. The "fan of fabric" idea was actually from my 16-year-old cousin, who has been very excited about the whole hat thing and still hasn't decided what she wants me to put on hers. But she did suggest that a fan would be a nice alternative to feathers, so I gave it a shot.

Alanna:

The dark blue of the sky at twilight, the Alanna is cool and serene with hidden depths. A glowing sapphire-hued acrylic jewel, clear as water and bluer than the ocean waves,  is wrapped in silver filigree and accented with pearls and sparkling rhinestones. The band of rich blue brocade is patterned with periwinkle and silver branches of bamboo, while an iridescent blue/violet dupioni silk shimmers in the background. Tiny crystals adorn the fluffy white ostrich plume that towers above the jeweled base in an elegant finishing touch.

















Adele:

Majestic in royal blue and iridescent silk, the Adele is rich, elegant, and understated in shades of blue and violet. A luxurious swathe of dupioni silk is pleated by hand to form an upstanding fan of fabric, centered on a dark blue acrylic jewel and accented with silver filigree. Tiny clear rhinestones add sparkle, while intricate silver threadwork is embroidered from the top of the crown to the upper edge of the exotic blue bamboo brocade hat band. Everything about the Adele whispers (because the truly well-bred never shout) "luxury."

My own hat...

This whole hat-making venture started because I was looking for a hat to wear with my own steampunk outfit... so obviously I couldn't forget to decorate a hat for myself in between all of the rest I've been posting! My costume is made of tweed (the same tweed I used in the Phoebe and Penelope) and a burgundy brocade, so I thought I'd tie in the hat by using the same fabrics in the hatband. Then I basically just went to town and included all of the components I liked from previous hats. Just about the only thing I couldn't get to fit in with the design was the peacock feathers (you'll see those on future hats), but just about everything else made it in! I won't bother writing up a fabulous description for this one, but it's got an antique copper keyhole, a clock face, several gears, a button, brass flowers, wire swirls, two ostrich plumes, and a tiny key dangling from one of the swirls that I think turned out to be really cute.

Jocelyn

After I made the Jacqueline I wanted to do another black and white ribbon hat, and originally I'd planned to have it basically be the same only inverting the colors of the feathers and changing the jewel color. But then I messed around a bit with the orientation of the bow, and then it just looked better on its side instead of head-on, and from there I just fiddled with the various components until it looked stylish. I think I may even like this one better than the original!

Jocelyn:

Elegant in asymmetrical black and white, the Jocelyn is fashion-forward while remaining classic in style. While sister Jacqueline is upright and traditional, Jocelyn adds a twist by turning a ribbon bow on its side and accenting it with curling white goose feathers, while a black ostrich plume is set at a provocative angle.  A gleaming emerald-green colored acrylic jewel set in brass filigree and complemented by tiny glass pearls provides a focal point for this striking addition to your black-and-white-ball wardrobe!

Penelope and Phoebe

I really like the steampunk aesthetic, so I decided to branch out from the original orange/brown/gold color scheme I'd used for my first two steampunk hats, Ernestine and Emmeline. I have some great tweed that I knew would set off my feathers nicely, and going through my collection of acrylic jewels I thought that green and purple would be appropriate colors to start. I'm especially enjoying the curled feathers on the Phoebe (just run the spine of the feather over a butter knife), since I think they add some extra dimension to the hat, and peacock feathers are always fun to work with.

Penelope

Combining a classic tweed with the exotic allure of peacock feathers, the Penelope is steampunk with an edge. A forest green grosgrain ribbon is backed with a band of tweed in shades of burgundy and brown, and an emerald-colored acrylic jewel glitters from within an intricate brass filigree wrap to form the centerpiece of this lovely hat. Two coppery gears, a whimsical clock face in brass and ivory, and a tiny brass key provide steampunk accents without being stereotypically mechanical. Swirls of brass wire draw the eye upwards, where mottled guinea hen feathers and a single vibrant peacock eye add color and dimension. When people see you wearing the Penelope, they're sure to be green with envy!






Phoebe


If the Penelope is exotic steampunk, the Phoebe is steampunk turned slightly eccentric. Think of her as a librarian by day, with a secret identity only you can unravel. Traditional tweed is backed with iridescent violet dupioni silk for a touch of luxury, while a clear amethyst-colored acrylic jewel is set off to perfection by a wrap of brass filigree. Utilitarian gears in antique silver and bronze are softened by tiny brass flowers set with glass pearls, and a brass button adds to the eclectic mix. Brass wire swirls echo the stylish curl of the mottled guinea hen feathers that  provide a flirty twist-- literally!-- to this subtle-yet-fascinating hat.