Why rattan rules...

What a sunny one today! I've spent the weekend (with sewing tasks in the sun of course) experimenting with rattan, for hats ideas. It's really versatile - why not have a go! If you soak it in water for about 30 minutes you can bend it any which way without it splitting - the consistency becomes more like al dente spaghetti!

Once you've done this you can either get a book out on basket weaving and start trying out some basic patterns; or like me, you can just get knotting and looping; and see what emerges! It is definitely one for the sculptor in you...


So, here's what happened next...!

And finally, in the end after much bending, knotting and curling...

If you give it a try, let me know how you get on! Issy B <[; )

Soothing Saturday...

What a lovely day!

Two hours of life drawing with good company.

The class is only small and just up the hill. SOoo relaxing!

Happy days!

...Thinking hats...Mmmm...

Mmm, what a surprise, Ive been thinking about hats all day. Am on a mission to create three pieces this weekend. I've got the ideas floating around in my head so I need to get the materials out and have a play.

At least one of the Kew paper prototypes will be on my agenda!

Also, I've got 30 metres of straw braiding I'm eager to get experimenting with. Has worked really well before though stitching a hat together takes some serious time. As you can see in this picture (left) here's one I made earlier...and yes I know it's small...next time I'm going to try even bigger...!?!


Took an age to sew...!?! Major on the fiddly but loved doing it anyway. Next time bigger and better. Though small is beautiful too of course....!

Still thinking about hats...clearly a small to medium obsession....slurp (Issy B drools unattractively!?!)

Issy B  -(; >

Inspiration at Kew Gardens

This is my very first blog, so hello fellow bloggers and cyberworld...

I'm a hatmaker based in South London. I've been making hats for a couple of years now and really just can't get enough of it.

To keep the process creative and fun I'm always setting myself projects. This is normal practice for most milliners - who are always looking out for ideas to inspire their next collection!

With this in mind, a couple of weeks ago I went on a trip to Kew Gardens. I made myself a packed lunch, a big flask of tea, plugged myself into my ipod and hopped on the train. About an hour later I got off at Kew Gardens station. Sooo pretty there. There was a very tasty looking bakery stall just outside the station entrance so I was forced to get an apple pastry to go with my - until then - very healthy picnic..!

Travel tip: If you walk straight out of station, head straight on, cross over the road and walk down Litchfield Road you'll come to one of Kew's entrances, Victoria Gate in no time. I'm telling you all this as I, unfortunately, took a slightly more scenic route...!)

http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/index.htm

Anyway, eventually I found my way there with the guidance of a local! I spent the day having the loveliest wander through the gardens with my camera and sketch book. So relaxing...

The blossom was coming out everywhere so it was the perfect time for a Spring walk. I also made a friend or two on the way. Cue: enter one hopping robin, a brood of hens chasing one juicy worm... tightly trapped in one hen beak; plus one seriously verbal... and attention-seeking... peacock!

Since my visit I've been using the photos and drawings to make some paper prototypes for some very fancy fascinators indeed!

Hope you like the results of my hat-play. If you'd like to see some more pics do take a look at my Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Issy-B-Millinery-Accessories/237614482366

I'll keep you posted on how I get on making the finished articles...!

Issy B <;)