HATalk Competition Entry 2023

Sonia Chiodi

Maker
Sonia Chiodi

Country
Italy

Name of Hat
GIFTS AND LIFE

Description

For me the earth is life. From it we take strength and energy, our body will return to it when we die. She is like a mother who hugs us and nourishes us by giving us everything we need to live.

To represent this I used real fruit dried by me over time, the grain that has always been the symbol of bread. At the top a sprout emerges from a seed: it is the birth of new life.

The branches with ephemeral leaves depict an embrace of love and protection.

I love the earth

Materials:

Hat block
Straw hat
Lightweight padding
Crushed Taffeta Fabric (Brown and Green)
Forest green sinamay
Abaca silk
Millinery wire
Satin ribbons
Elastic
Needle and thread
Glue (a few drops only for fruits)
Real fruits of the earth, dried over time by me

Techniques:

Shaping of the cap and stitching of the metal edge
Crown covered with padding
Lined with brown taffeta the brim, then the head
The green taffeta lining is sewn with pleats and applied
Made leaves with feather technique in vegan fabric and inserted into the branches
Created 3 branches with iron, tape and satin
Sewn and wrapped Taffeta to the hat
Sewed nest and supported the gifts of the earth
Bud with millinery thread, satin ribbon and Abaca silk leaves made and colored by me

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.