Season Two - Episode 3: "Building with Big Brims! Pt - 2"

"Ship's Log, Stardate 94089.21:
I finished the hat! (Continued from here.)

The hat originally flopped too much.  I wanted to be able to pull the brim down to wear it back to front, but when I want to wear it Napoleon style, the brim had better stay up, damn it!  Inside the corners of the hat are two adjustable tension ribbons pinned to the crown of the hat.  I can tighten them for a stiffer look, or move them towards the back for a more regal, swept back brim.

Something different may work for you, like wire around the brim's edge, or a stiffer material to start with.  You already know the hat I started with (the ultrabraid), but maybe yours is more firm.  Hopefully you have no floppy taco issues at all, but if you do, get creative, there are many ways to get it to hold its shape.

It's full of marabou and secrets... 

Once I had the shape I wanted, I added some corseting for the look and to keep the stuffing in, and filled it with rose rolls of black chiffon (stitched in place) and bordeaux marabou (just loose).

Lastly, the feathers, shown here on the side so you can get a better look underneath.  I can put two on each side within the bow pin, or four on one side, depending on how I'm wearing it.  Or I can just go without, but where's the fun in that?

And here's a better look at the coord I paired it with:

The boots are the ones Mr. J got me.  The bolero is the Atelier Pierrot one (I finally have pants that don't horribly clash with its silhouette, I'm finally wearing it the way I wanted!) and the blouse and breeches are Fanplusfriend!

These breeches were so incredibly worth it, especially after being honest with myself and purchasing the correct size (Lady 85 for this 40" bum).  Luckily, the waist is fairly adjustable, though mine are cinched in a little comically there in the back... I'll just need to adjust and trim those straps.  I am more concerned with the pants being large enough to work with in the first place.

The pockets feel nice, have a good depth, and are not made of a lining that will tear easily and start letting coins through.  Overall, the breeches have a good weight, weave, and feel to them, though I'll be sure to keep them OUT of the hot wash and dryer to retain that.  I do have to unbutton them and unzip them to get out, but it's a small pain.  I'm spoiled by Putumayo's amazing elastic backs. ;)

That's all for now!  Next up, I'm going to be doing some easy and cheap D.I.Y. "drapes" for the cubbies in my room, and maybe finally ordering a rug from Society6 like I said I was gonna!  

Bear signing off!"

This frequency will remain open for response.