Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Lavender Menace

I had grand plans about posting more often while I was on holidays but an unexpected family thing came up, so I've been without the internet for the past week and a bit, and haven't posted in ages.

Two weeks ago I went to 'A Life in Frocks', a vintage fashion show which had clothes from the 1950s, '60s and '70s. The ticket said "dress-up optional" (as if I needed any encouragement), so I decided to make a hat to wear.


I made a pillbox base from buckram and covered it in purple cotton fabric. I pulled apart a couple of bunches of fake flowers, and glued the leaves, and then the flowers on. The bits in the middle of the flowers are purple beads. It took me ages to do all the gluing. I know that gluing is a huge millinery no-no, but I'm not a milliner so I don't care.   



The veiling (from Hat Shadows on etsy), is gathered by hand and then stitched onto the flowers at the front, back and sides. I added elastic to hold it on my head and used some bobby pins to make it extra secure when I wore it. 



To the fashion show I wore:
Dress: Dashfield Vintage
Coat: op shopped
Shoes: Golden Ponies
Tights: Columbine
Amethyst ring (which you cant really see): Evie Kemp
Hat: Self-made

The show was really good and there were some fabulous clothes that I wouldn't have minded taking home.

26 comments:

  1. Hoorah, you're back! Helga and I were chatting yesterday and were wondering where you were! That hat is nothing short of genius and that coat is identical to one my Grandma used to wear when I was a little girl, fabulous! x

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    1. Yes, I'm back! I had to go away unexpectedly for a week or so. Thanks. Awesome! I really love it when people tell me I wear clothes like their grandma did.

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  2. That is so cute! I love it. And I love your coat too. You look fabulous!

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  3. hahahhaha. I love the way you said you don't care about the millinery and glue stuff. They do use glue in millinery, but not a lot. I think the old school milliners don't like glue, but in this day and age, I suppose you have to use what is more convenient for you.

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    1. Yeah, I used a whole pile of hot glue which I've read that real milliners particularly hate. It took me ages to glue it so sewing all the leaves, flowers and beads on by hand would have taken forever. I'm all about convenience.

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  4. That is so cute! I love it. And I love your coat too. You look fabulous!

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    1. Thanks Kat! The coat is one of my favourite op shopping finds ever.

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  5. Wow ,great Colour! Love the Lavender Outfit ,it looks perfect :)
    i´m a new Follower

    Lovely Greetings ♡

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  6. Oh I wondered if you went to that! I don't know what rock I was under but I did not see it till after it had happened and was a bit sad! Love the combo, you look fab!!!

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    1. That's a shame. It sold out really quick apparently, anyway. Thanks!

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  7. He he cute dress. Wow I can't believe you made that hat, so clever! How was the vintage dress exhibition?? I would have loved to have gone to it. I almost considered a quick trip down to Christchurch for it but in the end it really wasn't in the budget!

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    1. Ha, thanks, I got it from this great vintage seller ;) It was really good. The clothes were fabulous and lots of the audience dressed up to so it was like a feast for the eyes.

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  8. I farking LOVE that hat!!! EEEEK!!!!
    Lavender DIVINE!
    Your outfit is just gorgeous,can't believe I didn't see you...but I was rather sloshed by the time I got there.....
    That coat really rocks.I have a simliar black and red one!SO jealous you got that sweet frock!
    XXX

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    1. Thanks! I was inspired by all your fab flower hats. Ha, ha I saw you up on stage for the best dressed but there were lots of people so I didn't see you in the audience. Thanks. It's one of my best op shop finds. Gotta love crimplene.

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  9. Gorgeous!! Your whole outfit is perfect. Bet the show was lots of fun and you sure did a fine job on the hat x

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    1. Thanks! Yes, the show was great. The clothes were fantastic.

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  10. Oh you look so pretty in this great lavender outfit. The happy little flower hat is wonderful, you talented lady.
    You must have had so many comments at the show, the jacket is fabulous.
    Love v

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    1. Thanks! Yes, some very nice people at the show said they liked what I was wearing. It was great to see other people dressed up too.

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  11. I wish and would love for you to post more often. I cannot get enough of you inspiration.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. For you Sacramento, I will try to post more often.

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  12. YAH! You're back! You look like such a pretty lady in this outfit (well you always do). I really love the hat and I'm very impressed you made it - even if you used glue *shock* *horror* ;) I really love the coat too.

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    1. Thanks! Ha, yes, I'm sure real milliners would be horrified about me using hot glue but it worked and that's all I care about.

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  13. I love this! I adore lavender anyway but this is fab! xx

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