'Hope' is the thing with feathers.

Alexa Mason

United Kingdom

• HATalk Issue 138: Millinery and the Plume Trade
• Vegan Fabric Feather Project by Rachel Warrilow

I'd already been a little uncomfortable about using feathers in my hats due to not necessarily knowing the source of them, and the very interesting article on the Plume Trade didn't hugely reassure me, so I was keen to find an alternative that still had the length and curvature I desired, without looking too much like a novelty, and so the tutorial for fabric feathers in the same issue was my inspiration for these feathers. (Plus it was so refreshing and inspiring to read about Warrilow's approach.)

I am always keen to find more sustainable options in my makes where I can, and try to challenge myself to aim for more of a zero waste approach with trimmings and materials.

Both the sinamays in this hat were from one of Petersham's excellent "offcut" bundles, the block was one of Highland Hat Blocks' brilliant "Eco Blocks," the material for the feathers was a spare pillowcase, and the lining is the silkiest eco-friendly Tencel, from an offcut from UK clothing designers Palava, who sell their leftover material from each collection so it doesn't go to waste.

I wanted to show that an eco-friendly/bird-free option was not only positive for the future of our planet and all its inhabitants, but could also look poised and glamorous.

The surprise plus side to making the feathers from scratch was that not only could I make them the perfect shape and length for my design, but I could repeatedly shape the wire, and I could hand paint the feathers with fabric paints mixed to exactly match the jade, blush and gold of the sinamay.

A creative dream!

• Petersham’s offcut sinamay X 2 in a jade green, and blush with gold lurex inset.
• Cotton Sateen pillowcase
• Floristry wire
• Fabric paint
• Elastic
• 100% Tencel offcut lining from Palava
• Blush veil piece

• Blocking sandwiched sinamay/wiring/adding elastic
• Making the fabric feathers – hand stitched and wired, then hand painted with fabric paint, set with heat, and shaped.
• Lining sewn and inserted.