“I Love Lucy”, the 1950s television sitcom starred the zany comedian Lucille Ball. One of Lucy’s trademarks was her head of vivid red curls, now and then tamed by a headband topped with a bow or a flourish of fabric. My headbands with a twist are a reminder of that bygone era. I have sewn …
Author Archives: tracyj
What’s New is Old Again
What if the hat you’ve owned and cherished forever has faded and shrunk to the point that it is too small for your head now? Your family has bought you new hats and insisted you replace the old white one, but your beloved hat is hard to part with. You can’t say why. It seems …
My Grandfather’s Jeans
After my last blog post, a friend asked if I wanted to upcycle an old pair of jeans found on the bottom of his pile of work clothes. I asked if he would like me to make him a hat, but he doesn’t wear hats. However, he is a new grandparent and I thought his …
Repurposing Jeans to Hats
I admit it felt harsh to cut into these luxury denim jeans. This pair had been well worn and loved since the owner acquired them a decade and a half ago. Some say that it is worthwhile to invest in an expensive pair of luxury jeans. The durability of higher quality denim means that they …
Little Black Hat
Like Coco Chanel’s little black dress (LBD) published in American Vogue in 1926, the black hat can be simple, classic, and chic. The LBD crossed over from the uniforms of the working class woman (maids, telephone operators, and shopgirls) to the world of haute couture. Over time, as Vogue editors predicted, it has become “sort …
Apple Cap
The apple cap is a floppy newsboy hat with a soft brim. In the 1970s, a young Michael Jackson often performed on stage wearing an apple cap. His hat was made up of a series of 8 triangles sewn together. Mine is a 6-gored version, but the triangular panels still form a full “apple” shape. …
Reversible bucket hat: the inner workings
Deciding on two compatible fabrics for a reversible hat is the first step in the creation of a reversible bucket hat. Preshrinking washable natural fabrics allows shrinkage to happen before construction. The completed hat can then be washed rather than dry cleaned. The choice of interfacing fabric(s) will determine the weight and structure of the …
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Switching Seasons
“Forecast for Metro Vancouver: Cloudy with 60% chance of showers. Winds SE 40 kilometres per hour, gusting to 60, except gusting to 80 near the Straight of Georgia near noon. High 12. UV index 1 or low. Low 5.” Environment Canada’s Weather Phone On the British Columbia Coast, we can experience sunshine, clouds, showers, rain, …
Be My Valentine
Is colourful clothing just for babies and children? Have a look in your closet and check out what colours prevail. My wardrobe gravitates toward black. Black has been considered stylish, serious, and elegant, as well as slimming. Grey is a neutral that often signals maturity and tranquility; it doesn’t call attention to you. Some say …
Colourways
I want to show you the effect different yarns—their colours and patterns—can have on the look of a hat. In the design world, the term colourway is used to describe a colour or combination of colours applied to yarn, cloth, paper, and wallpaper. When it comes to yarn, the fibres can be dyed and patterned …
Hats by Tracy J 