My inspiration for water is Hokusai’s Great Wave. It is a small but powerful image that is become almost iconic. The wave resonates as I have only been able to complete a few hats this year as I have had a chronic vestibular illness that feels like constant sea sickness. I could identify with the little boat at the mercy of the waves.

I started with photo collage mock ups and planned a series of three stripe strips, but quickly realised that sketchbook planning was only the start; what the hat needed to work on a dolly so the wave could be effective from all angles.

The strips were steamed and ironed onto undulating shapes to allow for this, and were slowly built up with masses of bright red tailors tacks holding things in place until I had something that was I was happy with and then this could be reassembled and sew properly into place. The tendrils seen on Hokusai’s wave were replicated by taking lace, heavily stiffening it and then chopping it down to create the fine fingers at the crest of the waves. Additional detail was added using silk tulle, while I was keen to get the long crests along the length the full detail would have looked cluttered so I simplified using an edging of pearls. Finally I added movement with the agate beads on invisible wire representing the bubbles on Hokusai’s woodcut print.

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