Rope, rope, rope!

I have been ill recently and have not been doing much millinery, but after reading about an exhibition my old tutor had created, i read that there were some hats from Justin Smith, who i admire. He created a collection from one material - denim. This got me thinking, how could i create a collection using one material only. I have lots of fabric, lots of feathers etc but i came across a few reels of thin rope and wondered what i can do?

I even managed to incorporate some wearable LEDs into one piece - the last two pictures show it with the LEDs included

Revamping

After going through hat boxes, sorting out pieces to store i came across pieces which needed finishing. These were just felt that had been blocked but not finished or trimmed. So i wondered what to do with them. Earlier in the day i had been reading one of my tutors blogs who does a lot with machine embroidery and wondered if i could do anything with that (although one piece already had some embroidery on it!)

So here is where i am now - and i even have started sewing beads and stones to the hats.

All three pieces

Pink felt with swarovski crystals and rose quartz

Nipped in Pillbox

Wavy form with blue stitching