fantasy hat mock ups

IMAGE 1 (Fabric 3.5x2.5 inches) Manufactured fabric over-stitched with lemon wave blocks IMAGE 2 Experimentation with stitched sea weed to add to stitching on manufactured fabric.

IMAGE 3 (Size of fabric 3.5x2.5 inches)

Fabric overstitched with lemon stitching and sea weed stitching. A narrow'frilled' edge made in needle lace will also be added around the bulb of each strand of seaweed.

A front edge of lacy fabric has now also been added. Lace was made by knitting two strands of clear filament with lemon cotton thread in a lacy pattern.

IMAGE 4 Front view of image 3. Sample is self stiffened and self supporting

. IMAGE 5. LACE WING

A machine made lace ' wing' to be attached to each side of the sample.

IMAGE 6

Sample with lace wings attached and curved wire edges attached to each side.

IMAGE 7. In order to finish the back edge of the sample and 'tie' together the two wire curves this is an experiment in constructing a groyne which would be streched along the back edge. This would be further stitched to represent algae/ lichen.

IMAGE 8

Final mock up of miniature size sample with some decoration etc. As a result of these experiments I feel committed to both the black lace edges and the curved side wires and so I intend taking these forward to further models.

IMAGE 9 ( Size 11 inches x 9 inches without wings)

Having experimented with a minature hat I now turned to a bigger version.

The first trial was with a simple curved buckram base with a shaped front . A curving piece was cut to frame the wearer's cheek. This would be covered by an additional black lace wing , currently the mockup is in black net. A larger piece of lace has been knitted and attached to the front.

IMAGE10

Side view of image 9

IMAGE 11 (SIZE 11 inches x 9 inches)

Having experimented with a simple curve I now made a stiffened double curved mould which was more wave like in structure. the mould was made from fine mesh net , PVA stiffened.

This mould, although stiff, gives a greater feeling of movement and fluidity than the previous solid buckram curve.

IMAGE 12

Curved mould covered with manufactured fabric, front lace trim. The side wings would be formed, in the final version ,with three machine made black lace wings ; a single wing at the back and a pair at the front.

IMAGE 13

Additional surface stitching added to fabric. The black stitched side panels are designed to echo the shapes in the proposed side wings. At the front edge, moving back from the lace 'veil', rows of cords and fringe have been added in wave like forms. Two lines of wave like stitching lie behind the front edge and the whole fabric sample has been overstitched by hand in a toning green thread in a wave pattern.

This still leaves scope for further surface stitching of lichens, barnacles etc. and the addition of various other surface decorations.

IMAGE 14.

Overstitched fabric draped over mould. The back left edge of the fabric has now been wired to enable it to curve up in a wave like form. This seems to give an ideal fluid wave like form to the whole shape. The top surface is assymetrical and wave like and the whole is shaped over the wearer's head and face. The back curved wing gives the opportunity to add further decoration to the back of fabric to ensure interest from all angles.

It is till intended to add the side wings and curved wires.

IMAGE 15

As stated previously there is further scope for surface decoration and the attachment of decoration to the curved side wires as in the miniature sample. The pictures below show some experiments in making small items in line with the theme.