New Hats

Well... felt a pang of creativness, so decided to make some new Russian hats for me, and Viking ones for Bec and Emily. Searched the net for a while for different patterns, found a 5 panel hat in some research for Russian hats (wacky Russians) so decided to make that one for something different.

Made myself and Emily one first to try and work out the kinks before making Bec one. First picture is Emily's one, mine is just a bigger version.

Made a few mistakes, didn't roll the top of the fur before I added it, small things like that. All in all I was happy with the end result.

Made a few for some friends that are new to the SCA, as my gift to them (but also to keep practicing my hats). Each time I changed the pattern slightly to go from a square topped hat to more curved to follow the head shape. Finally felt ready to start making Bec's.

Wanted to make her something special, so thought to do a straight white hat, with some purple embroidery and stones on it. Settled on a pattern I had made up from a few concepts I saw when researching Russ Hats, and pencilled it on.

First mistake... don't use pencil on white wool! Hard to rub off.

Did the embroidery and sewed the stones in, attached the lining and was ready to go for the fur. Found a great place in Brisbane that supply's fur and some really nice pure white rabbit fur.

Finished off the hat... and quite happy with the end result.

Have started on some documentation and will use this for my first ever enterance into an A&S comp.

I have made another style of Russian hat, one that looks like a Santa hat, but black with grey speckled fur, with a white knotted snake embroidered on it... but I can't find it at the moment to take a piccy for you :)

Next... I had been asked by a mate to make a Mongol hat for her, which I had wanted to try for a while now. My persona is Mongol influenced Russian, so I can easily wear a hat like this. Wanted to try one for myself first before I made hers, so decided on black with red lining, with some black fur I had recently purchased.

Had to do some experiments with the pattern as I had no idea what to do. Ended up using my original pattern (except now I am doing a 6 panel hat) except made it longer and to a finer point. Had some difficulty sewing it up with the fine point... will make sure to make a broader tip next time. Also need to extend the bottom a bit as it doesn't come down quite enough. Also I had used black wool with red cotton drill as I wanted to make it a bit cooler for wearing in Summer, but found that the red is freying quickly so will only make this hat with wool next time. All in all I like this one, want to finish it off with a metal hat tip, for looks but also to hide the top as it didn't quite work out thanks to the thin topped pattern.

Well... that's it so far. Have heaps of more ideas for more... just need the time and some more nice fur. Have heaps of brown... but not enough big fluffy fur that is needed for Russian hats :(