#millinersofetsy

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Hats Off to The Milliner’s of Etsy Team! by Joanne James of LeChapeau Why are the Milliner’s of Etsy (MOE) Team “Taking Their Hat Off” to Project Runway? Project Runway was originally mentioned by Elsie of www.orsinimedici1951.etsy.com. in one of our MOE team discussions. She didn’t think it would catch on like it did but when everyone started commenting on it, it didn’t take very long for it to take off “like a cat with its tail on fire!” Soon everyone was abuzz. How would it work? Where would we have our showing? Would it be just for fun or a competition? Quickly, each MOE team participant went scouring Etsy to find sellers who had a garments or purses or anything fabric that we could make a hat to go with. We did not have to purchase the garment, just make a hat that would accessorize it. Sewing machines began whizzing, hat blocking and hand-stitching abounded. The excitement was contagious. “Oh my god!!! I have found my inspiration for my hat. I am using a hat I just made and can't believe I found the perfect dress. This is very exciting for me. I am so happy to be part of this team” said Gail of www.buygail.etsy.com. Details gradually unfolded to reveal that our event would have a due date for Dec.1st, 2010. It would be a competition, but the emphasis would be on doing it for fun. The prize? To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.” “We get support, camaraderie and solutions from members of the MOE Team.” says Joanne of www.lechapeau.etsy.com. “This project has drawn us closer to each other and has encouraged us to grow.” What about the judging? How could someone judge a group of milliner’s who live all across the globe? It would have to be done electronically. Our team Captain, Emily of www.moesewcomillinery.etsy.com decided that we would present our creations in a special treasury. Each participant will leave a comment about her creation in the comment boxes. Our judge will go there and view our works of art and choose the winning entry. Who will be the judge? After thorough consideration, we emailed world-renowned milliner Amy Hamilton of Granville Millinery Co. Amy readily agreed to work with us on this project. We are thrilled and excited to have her on board. Amy’s credits include spreads in such magazines as O for Oprah, Victoria and Vogue to name a few. “The Project Runway project is amazing and stemmed initially from a few of us chatting about Philip Treacy’s appearance on the TV program Project Runway. It has become a very exciting project to be part of. My inspiration is a stunning 1930s inspired gown, it’s made of silk satin and very luxurious. I’m working on a two pieces, which will hopefully reflect its elegance and capture some of the 1930s Hollywood glamour, which I am so inspired by. One piece is felt and beaded the other silk, I haven’t made my decision yet as to which I am going to use, you’ll find out on December 1st” says Maggie Mowbray of www.trampmillinery.etsy.com. Speaking of her found garment and her hat design, Jennifer of www.jenniferwhitmer.etsy.com said, “I love the casual opulence, the deep, rich color, soft drape and details of this lovely velvet dress. There is a delightful surprise! A pattern of transparent chrysanthemums scattered across the shoulders at the back seem to float on the surface of the velvet. Barbara has achieved this look by using the devore or burnt-out velvet stenciling technique that renders the flowers transparent. The dress has a 20’s styling and follows my own leanings towards vintage while keeping to a contemporary look. I saw the silhouette of the hat right away and choose black parisisal straw. The pin tucks in the dress are echoed in the hat by circular pleats sewn into the straw. The edges are softened with more stitching to create an undulating waviness. The brim is wired. The trim is a distressed grosgrain band and two crushed bows meant to create softness and suggest age. By keeping the hat uniformly black, the secret surprise of the chrysanthemums is maintained from the front. Nothing is given away. The hat, along with the black lace stockings, finishes the look of this dress without competing with its quiet elegance.” “The positive buzz all the team members have shared has made this a really fun project, and I just get totally lost in it when I’m working on it. The inspirational piece is a wonderful dress by Jo Demontis’ shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/59037849/draped-sack-dress-black-or-coloured with these fab folds that create a striking silhouette. So, I wanted to compliment but continue the silhouette upward. Some kind of happy balance between a cocktail hat and a fascinator first came to mind in a neutral color anyone could wear confidently. So that is the trail I am blazing right now,” says Maria of www.fedora.etsy.com. Quoting Jaya of Green Trunk Designs: “Working on the MOE Project Runway Project has been an eye opening experience! Searching for an inspirational piece on Etsy was like making my Christmas wish list! My favorites box is now overflowing! It was so difficult to choose just one piece, but I finally decided on the lovely, Great Gats by Linen and Battenburg Blouse, by Roselanijasmin. I love the work of Roselanijasmin and I am thrilled that we share a common passion for vintage styles and textiles. My Heirloom Cloche Hat is made from vintage textiles, and is based on a 1920’s pattern. Together my hat and their blouse create a truly stunning 1920’s outfit.” Heirloom Cloche Hat: 57540853 http://www.etsy.com/listing/57540853/heirloom-cloche-hat-moe-project-runway Great Gatsby Linen and Battenburg Blouse: 55304440 http://www.etsy.com/shop/roselanijasmin?ref=pr_shop_more Carlee of Noxenlux states: “I've re-fallen in love with my first hat block. It is a "mini" top hat wooden hat block, that just keeps giving. I make bowlers and top hats with parts of this block, which lead me to use it in this project. I bought an outfit from www.damselinthisdress.etsy.com while at a pirate event in Portland and I will be using it with the hat at Steamcon this weekend (Nov 20th). The hat, which I will finish in just a few hours, is bare and ready for me to decorate. The outfit from Damsel in the dress is full of browns, golds and copper colors. The thick fabric of the outfit makes me want to use strong elements in the hat and I will do that.” As the due date fast approaches, there is much ado in the discussion forums. Some have finished their project while others are feeling the pressure of the time crunch. “I love anything and everything vintage, so when I sit down to create a hat, my design aesthetic usually incorporates at least a few vintage touches. When I started on the Project Runway contest, I was doing a lot of reading about 20th century millinery history and the progression of looks in headwear from the 1930s to the 50s. I loved the idea of finding an inspiration piece from one era and creating a hat that included items from few different decades. My inspiration piece is beautiful yet understated shift dress from the 1950s, and my hat included a frame that would have traditionally been worn in the 1930s, fabric up-cycled from a 1980s dress and trims from many different decades! I’ve had a blast working on this project and couldn’t be happier with the results!” says Kat of www.blackgardeniadesign.etsy.com Hat Link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61860950/black-mini-skimmer-hat Inspiration Link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59084541/vintage-tiffany-blue-1950s-party-dress As for the Milliner’s of Etsy team… What’s next? There’s talk of a wedding project come the spring…