I was away in Sicily in July when Providence Players held auditions for Mame so I was out of competition for a role. However, with 40 cast members and multiple decades of time involved I figured I could be of some use by assisting with the millinery. So that has been amusing me these past few weeks. Mostly, I make adjustments in hats from the PP costume collection so they will work in various scenes but where nothing we have will do I invent.
There is a funny scene at Peckerwood Plantation where the belles need hats but their faces must not be shaded by large brims in the way of stage lighting. I’ve had this problem before so worked up some sheer hats that would look belle-like but let the lights shine through the brims to the actresses’ faces.
Here is one I made for Sally Cato of sheer netting.
There are several more in this scene but I forgot to snap pictures before letting them out of my hands.
One of my favorite projects was transforming a thrift store Betmar hat into a 20s cloche to match a white fox fur boa one of the extras is wearing in another scene. Wish I’d thought to take a "before" picture of the white felt boater I found in the PP boxes.
Anyway, here is a photo I cut out of the Washington Post some years ago for inspiration. This is the wife of a 20's football coach...I don’t know who...but I loved the cloche.
Here’s how our white felt hat ended up after I’d had a turn at the steamer with one of my head blocks.
The bow was salvaged from the original boater and replaced on the cloche for a little extra drama.
This week we have dress rehearsals so I will try to snap a few more pictures as we progress.
K Q:-)
Loved the cloche!
Posted by: Karen Guerra | October 15, 2011 at 09:34 PM
A great way to exercise your creative juices. Cute cloche!
Posted by: judith | October 21, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Great inspiration photo and your interpretation with a bow is fabulous. I wish I could see the sheer hats on stage...the must just glow!
Nice to see us both creating again.
Posted by: jill | October 26, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Katrina, can you please tell me where to find your patterns! Judith M doesn't have any and I have fallen so in love with your hats that I'm searching frantically for patterns. If they are out of print will you ever consider doing them again??
With much admiration,
Linda
Posted by: Linda Tillis | November 14, 2011 at 10:36 AM
I love the pink hat...and the transformation of the cloche is fabulous.
Posted by: Marie | December 05, 2011 at 01:25 PM