Hat Making Inspiration - Sewing Patterns

People often ask me where I get ideas for millinery design. One of my favorite places to look for inspiration is the fashion illustrations found on vintage sewing patterns. There are two kinds of sewing patterns that depict hats: those that include patterns of hats, and those that don't. The ones that do include patterns for hats tend to be a bit more sedate, because a real hat, designed for construction by the home sewer, is being represented. But the ones that are clothing patterns that have added a hat onto the illustration for effect, to show how the clothing might look with accessories, are often more extreme in style -- they tend to be a bit more fantastical, because the artist doesn't have to work from a pattern or show something the home sewer is actually expected to make. Of course, these imaginary hats are exactly the ones I want to wear. For sheer kookiness, my favorites are from the late 1930s and early 40s, here are a few I especially like. For more photos of hats on sewing patterns and sewing patterns to make hats, see my flickr page.

Great Vintage Photos

I was just meandering online and came across the George Eastman House's collection of photos on Flickr. Great stuff! Here are a few of my favorites from the set called 'Women!'.

Ella Wesner, Male Impersonator. I love her so much that I'm going to wear my fez today.


This caught my eye because I'm really excited to be going to a bartitsu class up in Portland in March. It was a Victorian-era martial art that blended jujitsu, old style boxing, and fencing but with canes or umbrellas, popular with suffragettes and upper-class gentlemen. Like if Mary Poppins had it in for you.


She must be some kind of actress, but who know's what she's doing with that big thingy. Love it anyway.


Just having a great time. Why not?

Two in Green

I'm expanding my color palette for spring / summer. Here are two mini hats in green.

Jill Tracy Video from Edwardian Ball

Just found a great video of chanteuse Jill Tracy performing at this year's Edwardian Ball wearing a custom designed HON hat. Here's the YouTube link. She's brilliant. Enjoy!

Edwardian Ball Photos

The ball was spectacular, a smashing time as always, and now the photos are rolling in, turning up on flickr, etc. I'll be posting more as I receive them, but here's a great one of John & I taken by Tara Rech.