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.

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."

Daphne

This started out as an aqua-themed hat, and I intended it to look vaguely ocean-y, but as you can see that idea just went out the window once I realized that the blue jewels I had just didn't work with the fabric, so I went with pink instead. Then it needed something to go with the paisley pattern in the brocade, so I added a pair of brass swirls. Then a few more. I may have gotten a little carried away with the swirls on this one, but they were so much fun that I just kept going. Then the feathers just worked themselves in... they remind me a little of daisy petals, but I think it works. So, without further ado:

Daphne:

Airy, whimsical, and full of fun, the Daphne is girly without being overly frilly, combining aqua and bubblegum pink to be elegant while remaining youthful. The Daphne features swirl upon swirl of brass wire, echoing the paisley pattern in the luscious aqua brocade layered over an iridescent pink and blue taffeta. The dual shades in the fabric tie into the pink acrylic wire-wrapped jewel that forms the centerpiece of this lovely hat, while brass flowers hand-set with tiny glass pearls provide delicate accents. Three white duck feathers soften the lines of the brass wire, framing the central embellishment and adding yet another layer of texture. This little hat is so adorable, you can't help smiling-- and neither will anyone else when they see you wearing it!

Scarlett

Okay, one thing you need to know is that I love red. Red silk, red brocade, red jewels... red is always the first color I gravitate towards when I'm looking for dresses, jewelry, anything, so I was dying to use these on a hat. The silk is the same silk I used to cover my wedding invitations, so it's obviously one of my favorite fabrics. Plus, the combination of the red jewels and silk just reminds me so much of the dress Scarlett O'Hara wore to Melanie's birthday after being caught kissing Ashley in Gone With the Wind. Perhaps not the best role model, but she always had style!

Scarlett:
Resplendent in silk, brocade, and glowing ruby-colored jewels, the Scarlett is rich, vibrant, and worthy of being worn by Ms. O'Hara herself. A large rectangular acrylic jewel gleams from within a centerpiece of intricate brass filigree accented with tiny sparkling rhinestones in diamond and ruby, and crimson dupioni silk peeps out from behind a wide band of scarlet satin brocade, patterned in black and gold. A nodding black ostrich plume is regal, while curling black goose feathers provide a sassy flair to this lovely, luscious, and ever-so-slightly impertinent hat. Vivien Leigh would be proud!