Gone With the Wind Hat by Annie Modesitt, Plus 5 Hatty Links

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

Gone with the Wind Hat, designed by Annie Modesitt, Romantic HandKnits

This is probably Gone with the Wind Hat v1.2, because I made it last year,  was unhappy with how large it was, so I frogged it. I ended up having to buy more yarn (Classic Elite Classic Silk) to finish it. I love the pattern, but the silk was not right for this brim. It sags where it should be firm (sounds like copy for a plastic surgeon's office. I apologize.) Anyhow, I would love to revisit this pattern with a smaller brim. I love, love, love doing slip stitch , you will too 'cuz it's super easy yet it looks amazing.

Here's a round-up of other hat-related stuff making the rounds:  

• 2nd anniversary of the Goorin Bros. hat shop in Lakeview (Chicago neighborhood).
• Schiap Mad cap pattern, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli. A freebie!
• Ascot hat at Mason-Dixon Knitting Blog
• New workshops at Judith M Millinery
• my next hat, Modern Cloche, by Annie Modesitt

Anna Sui Fabric for Anna Sui Vogue Sewing Pattern

Anna Sui Silk, 2007 Line, Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

 

 

 

 

Vogue Fabrics is not exactly planted in the middle of the fashion mecca, New York City, but it's not exactly fly-over territory either. Take for example this scrumptiously beautiful Anna Sui silk print for the unbelievable price of $2.99 a yard at Vogue Fabrics. Wouldn't get that kind of a deal in the Big Apple, eh? No, but you can use this silk for Anna Sui's line of sewing patterns, which originate in New York City. Get the fashion look for a fraction of the price using fabric from a few seasons ago. Thrifty! I think this particular print would look great with these patterns:

• Vogue 1178 
• Vogue 1104
• Vogue 2850

Gingham for Summer - the Selection at Vogue Fabtics, Evanston, Ill.

Gingham Fabric, Quilting Dept., Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

More Gingham Fabric, Quilt Dept., Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

Red and White Gingham Oilcloth, Home Decor, Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

Navy Gingham Oilcloth, Home Decor, Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

Gingham Spaghetti Straps and Bias Tape, Notions Dept., Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Ill.

There is something about summer that just hollers 'Gingham!' Right now for me, this conjures up an image of Betty Draper of "Mad Men" in a 1950s red and white gingham shirtwaist dress with a petticoat. Naturally she wears white gloves embellished with tiny gingham bows which also happen to match the shoe clips on her stillettos. Now if she were modeling as she has done on the show, she would be posed next to a matching gingham oilcloth covered picnic table...serving slices of watermelon and cans of Coke. With red and white straws, of course!

Back in the world of reality I'm sort of caught up in the idea of making this retro 1947 Vogue 8728 in a stretch red gingham, so it clings in all the right places. Alas, I can't find exactly what I want although I once saw a bright red-and-white gingham print jersey in the remnant section at Vogue Fabrics so I know it's out there, it's just not in my hands. If I can't have it in stretch, I just might do it in a woven, which means I should naturally finish up other unfinished projects before I start a dress. But I do have a belt already, yes, I picked up a 1950s/1960s red gingham belt at the Antique and Resale Shoppe, which I felt was a sign that I should definitely make something in a check print this year.

Peacock Prints: Big 2011 Fashion Trend

source: Vogue Fabrics, Home Decor Dept, Evanston, Ill.

source: thefashionpolice.net

If you haven't already noticed, peacock prints are in in a back way this year. Everywhere. Oversized feathers seem to rule in dresses, skirts, even knits. But that's not all. You'll see feathers of this bird on home furnishings too. Above you'll see the peacock print upholstery print fabric, designed by the model Iman. It's intended for armchairs, drapery, light bedding, sofas, etc...but wouldn't it just look fabulous as a coat? Now this is not cheap fabric. It's $30+ a yard. That said, it's 54" wide, so you wouldn't need much for a coat (by the way, I don't see this fabric online at Vogue Fabrics' website. You'd need to call and ask about it if you're out of town.  I'm guessing a yard or so would do the trick?)  This kind of a fabric would most definitely call for a shiny, turquoise lining. I think you could get away with something on the plain side, since the coat is the star of the show. Here's a round up of some peacock-themed attire I like best:

• a peacock brocade at fabric.com
• vintage peacock pillow cases
• an umbrella with the characteristics of the distinctive longtail feathers of the famous bird
• this incredibly fun hat

The Anthropologie Grosgrain-Wrapped Sunhat Your Way

source: Anthropologie

source: Anthropologie

Burda Style Magazine, latest issue available now (June)

I don't have the issue number in front of me, but the latest issue of the American version of Burda Style has a floppy hat pattern very similar to the pricey Anthropologie Grosgrain-Wrapped Sunhat. What Anthro sells for nearly $100 you can create for a lot less. Significantly less. Here are some basic suggestions on making this hat beyond what Burda mentions in its article:

• The Anthropologie hat uses ribbon, but the hat name is misleading. If you look closely at this hat, each side of the ribbon has a set of 'teeth.' This is called Petersham, and this is what you want to use in your hat. It has wood fibers, making it easier to shape in a curve with your iron. Regular ribbon, without those 'teeth', will not shape as easily and will leave you frustrated in your efforts to make your hat. Best places for petersham? Vogue Fabrics, some New York City shops....or try Judith M Millinery online. Buy more than you need, a spool or two would probably do the trick. I'd buy the 5/8-inch width.
• If you go the Burda Style route, which uses yards of printed bias tape, make your own bias tape. It's much cheaper. There's some beautiful bias tape (a gingham print one comes to mind) at Vogue Fabrics, but it's not cheap. I'd make it...or find some on sale. OR buy a yard or two of the pretty stuff, mix with the cheaper variety.
• The straw part. I don't know how to improvise that part. I'm guessing a trip to a party store and a segue down the Tiki section might yield some finds. 
• Use some of that petersham to create a sweat band inside your hat. Yes, you want to protect your pretty new hat from sweat and make up. You'll attach to the part where the brim meets the crown. It's essentially where the hat meets your head. You'll slip stitch it around, not too tight. You'll want to remove it periodically to wash it.
• Finally, put a name tag on your sweat bag. You should be proud of your work. Besides, it's an original. No one else has a hat quite like yours. 

The Sideways Grande Cloche/Collar Designed by Laura Irwin

This is the Sideways Grande Cloche designed by Laura Irwin, author of Boutique Knits. I turned the hat into a collar.

 

 A close-up of the collar. The discontinued Lane Borgosesia yarn is probably a little less blue and more green than this photo shows.

My display model with a pair of sunglasses I bought at Factory Vintage in Evanston, IL.

Another shot of the display model with the $8 sunglasses. Colored sunglasses seem to be particularly trendy.

More shots are available at my Ravelry profile. I plan to try this hat again, making sure I have enough yarn this time around.

 This is a wonderful pattern, mostly a rib knit, which is knitted flat. The stitches are picked up on top to turn it into a hat. The braided part is added last.  This was completely refreshing to make after working mostly on wired brim hats. 

Next time around here's what I might:

• Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande
• Rowan Cocoon
• Cascade 220 (which is listed in my iPhone/iPad app, Yarn U)

That's all for now. Must run and make time for knitting later!