Denim in Bloom

Robin Westermann

Germany

• Upcycled Denim Hat Project by Jane Fryers
• Organza Tea Roses Project by Denise Innes-Spencer

Out of the archives of HATalk magazine, I found inspiration in Jane Fryers’ tutorial “A Hat With No Name” and Denise Innes-Spencer’s three-part tutorial on “How To Make a Shoulder Length Mantilla Veil.” Juxtaposing durable denim and elegant organza flowers, this playful piece is meant to bring joy to the wearer. In a year that has required global endurance, the up-swept brim and bouquet of tea roses celebrate the blossoming of brighter days. In her HATalk article, Jane Fryers recycled an old pair of Levis that had become too risqué to wear. The faded and worn denim I used was also scavenged from well-loved Levis, but brought back to life by a border of spring green floral Liberty print cotton. The organza blossoms - meant for a wedding veil in the original tutorial - were chosen to adorn the brim as an ode to new beginnings.

• Brim block upturn
• Crown block
• Brown packaging paper
• Sellotape
• Permanent markers
• One pair vintage jeans
• One meter buckram
• One meter printed cotton fabric
• 1 – 20 cm piece of silk organza in muted greens
• 1 – 20 cm piece of silk organza in muted golds
• Bondaweb
• Millinery wire
• Petersham ribbon
• Decorative buttons (3)
• Sewing notions

• Flat pattern making
• Foundation blocking in buckram – crown and brim
• Covering of buckram shape in both fabrics
• Wiring of brim edge and encasing in self made bias strip
• Attaching crown to brim and inserting head ribbon
• Preparation of organza fabric and shaping of the tea roses in three varying sizes
• Preparation of hat lining and inserting