Cotton textile comes from the fluffy cream-coloured fibres of the cotton boll. The fibres that wrap around the seeds of the boll are separated in the mechanical process of ginning and cleaned before being carded and combed. Aligned and straightened fibres are then spun into cotton yarn that can be woven or knitted into fabric. …
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More Bucket Hats
The weekend newspaper featured a crochet bucket, one of “Fab Five” summer hats presented by Rebecca Tay. The powdery pastel rainbow colours remind me of fun childhood chalk and sidewalk hopscotch. I created a similar hat in a warm beige tweedy blend of merino wool, cashmere, and silk. Different but similar. The Rolled Brim Bucket …
the World of nature according to Noro
“Many, many years ago, Eisaku Noro took a leap of faith. Trusting his experience and knowledge, his instincts and determination, he envisioned creating a yarn like no other. So many exuberant entrepreneurial moments like this end without success, but not this one. We can only imagine how hard Mr. Noro worked to market a yarn …
Dunbar Salmonberry Craft Fair
The inaugural Dunbar Salmonberry Craft Fair is taking place on Saturday, May 28, 2022, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM at Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, B.C. Please come by my table, “Hats by Tracy J”, and check out my warm weather headwear collection. Bucket hats and newsboy caps in cottons and linens will be featured. …
Babes, Tykes and Teens
While I’ve made many hats for grownups, young ones need to keep their heads warm and faces protected from the sun too. If you’re a parent, you might have experienced a kid itching to tear off a hat. This might be avoided with hats that are comfy, hard wearing and well fitting. Washable natural materials are …
Adjustable Hats
These bucket hats have an adjustable drawstring ribbon around the head circumference. I sewed them with warm weather fabrics of crisp linen, soft cotton, and blends of linen and cotton. It was fun preparing the pattern pieces and cutting the fabric to let certain flowers or words stand out, especially on top and at the …
Headscarves
Around the world, women wear head coverings for practical, religious, cultural, and decorative reasons. A fine yarn made of linen, recycled silk, and wool inspired me to crochet a headscarf. The headscarf is usually made from a triangular piece of cloth or a square folded in half to become a triangle. It can cover most …
Hats for Spring
Spring is the time we shift our wardrobes from knitwear to lighter woven fabrics. Neutral shades make the transition between seasons, but pastel colours, floral prints and cheerful patterns invigorate clothing and accessories. I’m having fun mixing and matching fabrics as I sew reversible bucket hats. Some fabric is from my treasure trove of collected …
Textile Recycling
Sewing with deadstock fabric is a sustainable way to make use of leftovers from fabric mills or apparel manufacturers. Deadstock might include fabric with flaws, caused by damage in the production or dying process. Considered to be waste, these unwanted or unused textiles would normally be sent to the landfill. “Our Social Fabric” is a …
Hats in Mexico
Zihuatanejo has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and, indeed, the world. Its sheltered bay along the Tropic of Cancer offers boaters, swimmers, and sunbathers five main stretches of beach to enjoy heat and sun. The sombrero with its broad brim and chin strap was originally designed for long days working in the …
Hats by Tracy J 