Commission Project: Pirate England (Hetalia) -- Update III, Pirate Hat

Hello everyone,

I've been hard at work here.  The last few days, I have been custom drafting a bicorn style hat for the Pirate England/UK commission.  Behold, the fancy hat!  Finally, I am finished, or at least I believe to be.  I have a pile of flat-backed pearl trim I was considering using around the gold gimp trims, but I'm really not sure it's needed.  (I will consult my client if she wants more trim, perhaps. xD)  The feathers did exactly what I wanted them to (I used an ostrich feather boa in cream), and the gold trims & ruffles are just enough without it being too much.  This hat is HUGE though.  This was custom built to be worn either with the notch to the front, or tipped to the side.  I built the inner crown to 24" -- so that it's large enough to accommodate a wig comfortably.

I am really pleased with the result, and the hat itself will look stunning once accompanied by the entire costume.  I had bought large coloured ostrich feathers (In pictures, sitting in Godot's huge mug) to be placed in the hat brim... but it looks a little ridiculous when I put 'em in.  Maybe I'll play around with them a little more and see what I think.  Perhaps it's just a length issue, and the way I'm angling them into the brim?

The hat foundation is a buckram inner with millinery wire support, and felted for stability.  I used cotton poplin suiting for the black fashion outer, and a nice sateen for the inner crown lining!  The trims I used are satin cord braid, hand made satin ribbon ruffling, and a gold toned french gimp.  I am working on adding a small ribbon rose to the outer crown as a detail, too.  (Pictures below!)  There is a gorgeous desaturated green vintage lace trim on the outer part of the hat crown, but you can only really see it from the side. (Totally didn't take pictures of it, but oh well~)

Hope you like it! (...that means you, Raven!) 

For some unfortunate news, I have decided to remake the poet shirt.  I just didn't like the fabric, so I ran out and bought a much more suitable linen.  I think it'll be a bit more authentic this way, and if permanently tea stained ever so slightly, it'll look even better.  It shouldn't take more than a few hours to redo.  In the 6th picture, there is a pile of blue stuff.  These are a collar, and two cuffs.  I stood one up, just so you can get an idea of what it looks like.  These will be basted along the bottom of the sleeves.  Fancy schmancy. ;D

The coat itself for now is a huge secret.  At least until I finish hand-stitching all of the trims to the lapels.  It's a big job, but super close to being finished with that tedious part. :3

For now, I'm going to finish up the epaulets, and work on that fancy cravat!  Cheers, lovlies.

-- Ely  

Left to do!

1. Restoration-era coat w/large cuffs, collar & lapels (All are ready to be assembled!)
2. Poet shirt w/lace cuffs (Recutting from new linen material, and tea staining it)
3. Pirate Hat w/feathers, ruffled ribbon & trims (May or may not still add flat-back pearl trim!)
   
4. Gold epaulets w/tassels
5. Lacey cravat