The world wide web is a wonderous thing, if you jump head in and start looking for things you like you will be please to find out:
1. You’re not alone in the world.
2. There’s a bunch of other people out there who are as weird as you are đ
3. There’s a wealth of information just waiting to be looked at
Turns out that the Library of Congress has a lot of digitized documents that are waiting for you to look at them.
One of them is this little gem that I hope you will enjoy, right out of the Library of Congress:
Hi there, long time no post, I hope my three readers out there will forgive me đ
You will love this video (if you don’t understand french watch it anyway, the images are fun to watch -though small-). You will need Real Player to view it:
http://www.tv5.org:80/TV5Site/mains_merveilles/modiste.php?url=http://213.41.65.178/akamareal/tv5/teleparis/modiste_180405.rpm
I like to see straw braid being machine sewn, and I’m green with envy when the lady says that they have (if I understood correctly) 3000 wood crown blocks and 2000 brim blocks.
I believe this video was made to teach french, as a series of TV5 called Mains et Merveilles.
HATalk is a downloadable monthly e-magazine (suscription based).
Published by the Wombourne School of Millinery it contains all sorts of hat-making related articles and tips. All articles are very detailed, including step by step pictures.
My review is based on the three issues that I have read. One issue (number 4) I received for free (you can also receive a free issue, email them at mail@hatblocks.co.uk). In November I subscribed, and I have received the November and December issues (January issue comes out 17th January). I hope to buy all past issues soon (I have to write to find out how much that will cost!).
Although there’s an understandable focus on the activities of the School (like the Hat of the Month section, that features students work), the magazine also contains helpful millinery tips and full hatmaking tutorials. Interesting information for anyone who loves making hats.
On the latest issue, for example, I liked the detailed instructions on how to make an Edwardian tiara (plenty of pictures), as well as the tips on how to put your logo on hat linings. On the November issue I like the explanation on how to distress crin (horsehair) and how to make a yarn “boa”. On the July issue there an interesting article about millinery stitches, a tutorial on how to make a “circlet hat” out of sinamay, an explanation on how to make braids and a very interesting “letter to the editor” asking how to roll sinamay edges, with a very detailed (with pictures) how to explanation. (more…)
While I’m down with the flu here I will let you take a peak at something else I love. Here are some of my vintage brooches dating from the thirties, forties and fifties. I bought my first one on Ebay while looking at new stuff to buy for a gift. Once you buy one you’re hooked. Price can range between as little las 1 dollar (plus shipping) to whatever you’re willing to pay, but for 10-20 dollars you can buy some really neat things! Shipping to Spain with Global Priority is usually less than 10 dollars.
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I just love the exhuberance of these brooches, the craftsmanship, the attention to detail… and they look all the better if you’re also wearing a hat. (more…)
