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.