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Kerry Winter • Aug 07, 2020
Tips for storing and caring for your Sinamay Hat......
For all the Mothers of Brides and Racegoers alike who have meticulously organised their outfit and now its not going ahead due to Covid.
In this blog I will give you six tips for looking after and storing your Hat until your event goes ahead!
And its great to follow these tips after you have worn it, so that it keeps it in pristine condition.
1. Handle with Care
This may seen obvious but I see many clients pick up their Hats incorrectly, if it's a traditional Hat then avoid picking it up by the crown and where possible pick it up with two hands by the edge of the Brim with clean, dry hands.
2. Storing your Hat
Hat boxes are always the best and easiest way to store your Hats, plus they can make a lovely
decoration in your bedroom. Make sure you have lots of tissue in the Box and always store the Hat on its Crown (with tissue inside to support it). This will mean the hat does not get dusty or that the sun doesn't bleach it!
3. Avoid getting wet
Sinamay is a natural fibre that is stiffened to keep its shape on the block, getting it wet will
mean that you run the risk of the Hat being misshapen.
4. Petersham Cleaning
Petersham is the ribbon inside a tradtional hat and also you will see this in bases such as
pillboxes. It is easy to clean with a light detergent and water mixture, simply use a clean soft
brush or cloth to wipe over it and let it dry naturally.
5. Dented Crown
If you do get a dent in your hat, the easiest way to remove it is to gently steam the hat over
a kettle, when the sinamay softens push the dent out with your fingers. Let the hat dry
naturally.
6. Feather Repair
If the Feathers on your hat are looking a little sad, hold over a steaming kettle to bring back
to life, this will also work for silk flowers and lots of trims on your hat or headpiece.
Steam is the Milliners Friend....
If you have a hat that you love but it's a little battered, get in touch to see if I can bring it back to life for you!!
I hope you have found this blog helpful, head over to subscribe to receive more tips for your hats!!
If you would like a hat repairing or you would like a hat creating, do get in touch:
kerry@lovehatsmillinery.co.uk
www.lovehatsmillinery.co.uk
My Millinery Journey
There's so much to think about when you are attending an Occasion such as Weddings and the Races:The OutfitShoesHandbagJewelryAnd as far as we're concerned, the most important : The Hat!!So once you're sorted with all the above, it's time to start thinking about hair!! The Hairstyle can be the difference between a Hat looking stunning or not....We've had many years experience working in a Hat Shop and serving many many ladies (which we loved) so it's all part of the process!Our absolute favourite Hairsyle is tied back away from the face, which pretty much suits all Hats, Fascinators etc... So1 A Low BunIf you have long hair, an elegant low bun is ideal to wear with any Headpiece, but especially flattering on smaller pieces such as Fascinators, Button Pillbox Hats and small Discs.2. Half Up - Half DownFor all the girlies who like to show off their beautiful locks, the Half up Half down hair style is the perfect style to wear with smaller Headpieces.3. Low PonytailThe low ponytail is a funky way to get your hair out of the way but still showing off your long hair.4. Vintage Pin CurlsWe are obsessed with anything vintage fashion and pin curls are just so stylish and absolutely stunning!And such a lovely way to style your long hair with a vintage inspired outfit.5. Pixie CutWeddings and Races are a brilliant time to get dressed up (we don't get much chance to do this now right??)So, have fun, have a practice session with your hairstyle and make-up beforehand so that on the day there are no hiccups and you can walk out looking and feeling fantastic.If you would like a special Headpiece creating, please get in touch!!www.lovehatsmillinery.co.ukkerry@lovehatsmillinery.co.uk07583598965
Silver Rosalind crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals | Sophia Webster | NET-A-PORTER (net-a-porter.com)
Well with many Weddings cancelled in 2020, we are all looking forward to getting some normality back in 2021 and hoping that Weddings will be back in full swing....
I for one have been working very hard behind the Scenes, creating an e-commerce site to make buying easier for the client; but also designing and making my Bridal Headpiece Range for 2021 (something I've wanted to do for ages but never had the time to get organised so covid19 has certainly allowed me this!)
Whilst researching Bridal Trends for 2021 to make sure my Heapieces compliment them, I thought I would put together what I found for all you gorgeous Brides out there......
I absolutely love millinery and everthing hats, so I thought I would do some research on the internet and find out a little bit more about the History of Millinery......... I've always been drawn to vintage fashion and loved rumaging in second hand shops in my youth (when it wasn't fashionable to do so!!) And in those days I got some amazing vintage pieces...... How I wish I'd kept them... So heres a brief look at millinery in different eras!!
Tips to help the Mother of the Bride choose her outfit
Princess Diana was no doubt our greatest fashion icon and I miss seeing what she is wearing next....Here are my top 5 outfits and hats worn by the Princess, everyone would be high fashion today...1. TurbanMy number 1 favourite Headpiece, what's not to love about this Sapphire and White Headpiece. A fabulous turban style headpiece with a wide brim. This piece was created by Dillon Wallwork2. Jackie O PillboxThis stylish outfit and hat was no doubt inspired by Jackie O. A beautiful shade of pink and a fabulous look. 3. The BoaterThe Boater has been very fashionable for a few years now and has always been one of my personal favourites. 4. Button Pillbox with VeilingVeiling is still very much an asked for addition, fabulous with any pillbox. It gives a beautiful vintage look, And I'm obsessed with anything Vintage.5. Dior Style HeadpieceThis Gorgeous Dior style hat is just divine. I love anything Dior, Christian Dior created the most divine Outfits and Hats, each with stunning silhouettes. And while I am obsessing about Christian Dior, the new book is an absolute must read for anything who is into fashion and hats.So those are my personal favourite top 5 of Princess Diana's Hats. But she was also so much more than what she was wearing, (I watched a programme about her life on Netflix recently and sat bawling.)She was a lady who bought into an idea of how life was going to be and it didn't turn out that way, but she stood up to the challenge and made the best of her situation and tried to use her power to the good of others. A Lady who will be missed forever.....If you would like a Headpiece creating please get in touch....kerry@lovehatsmillinery.co.ukwww.lovehatsmillinery.co.uk
Guide to making a Free From Shape using your hand made block or polystyrene head..What you will need:Handmade block or Polystyrene HeadSpray bottle of water/ Kettle/ IronCotton clothPlastic to cover the blockSinamay of your choiceDressmaking Pins/NeedlesStiffener and brushMillinery wireCotton to match sinamay colourWhen you are ready to begin:Start by covering your block with plasticBlock your chosen sinamay with the bias running from the top to the bottom (I spray the sinamay with water first, and then use a damp cloth and hot iron to block the sinamay)then stiffenWhen the sinamay is dry, draw your shape on to it , take off the block and cutSteam the shape lightly and flip the top over so that it curves the other wayWire the edge with millinery wire using a blanket stitchEdge with sinamay, either with the same colour or contrasting colourYour free form shape is now ready!For this Headpiece, I blocked a button pillbox which I then attached the free form shape to and then added the trim (two hand trimmed ostrich feathers with three roses at the back)I then added a hat elastic, hat lining & petersham....I hope you found this useful, please subscribe for more tips or follow me on social media.https://www.facebook.com/lovehatsmillinery/https://www.instagram.com/lovehats64/kerry@lovehatsmillinery.co.ukwww.lovehatsmillinery.co.uk
