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March 27, 2013

Altering Vintage Hats

Do you have your Easter Bonnet picked out?

I love altering vintage hats....Anyone can be a hat milliner!



I Pick up hats anywhere I can, estate sales, antique stores, thrift stores etc.  I look for the totally unadorned ugly ducklings that are in good shape.  These are the hats that can be picked up really inexpensively.


Then with old millinery flowers, netting, feathers and jewels, along with trims and lace.... I get to work playing milliner


I added a vintage flower, leaves, and netting to this pretty pink hat


I use a combination of hot glue and a needle and thread to attach everything


The hat below I added a little pin with flowers, sometimes it is just a little detail that makes all the difference



I added a couple big pink vintage flowers to this black hat


For this hat I switched the bright flowers to softer pinks and blues....Psst.... Can you tell by the pictures which were taken on a sunny day and which were taken on a cloudy day lol!


This is one of my fabric flowers (tutorial HERE), netting and feathers


Another fabric flower, feathers and netting


I get most of my flowers from vintage hats that are a total wreck, I look past the mess they are in and look for great flowers.  This hat was  full of great flowers....Even though it was a hot mess! 


Now, don't let a whole bunch of old smashed flowers scare you away!  You can fluff them up and make them as good as new by setting your iron to the steam setting, then putting your flowers on the ironing board and giving them a big puff of steam.  Set the iron down and quickly start reshaping the flower, you will probably have to repeat this 2-3 times.

These flowers were totally flat until I steamed and reshaped them


I get my netting at JoAnn's Fabric, you will probably have to ask where it is, because it's usually hidden.  I use vintage netting from old hats any time I can . 

I sell these in my antiques booth at Orange Tree and price them between $14.00 and $24.00.  I always sell out, I guess there is a lot of ladies like me that use them for decorating and college kids who buy them to wear. 

If you would like more ideas on altering vintage hats you might enjoy THIS previous post I did 


Are you going to wear an Easter Bonnet?

Blessings and Wishing you and your families a wonderful Easter weekend.  

Happy Creating
Carol
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38 comments:

  1. Perfectly PrintedMarch 27, 2013 at 11:43 PM

    What fun idea!! I see vintage hats once in awhile and usually pass them by not knowing what to do with them. No more passing by for me!

    chris

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  2. shariMarch 27, 2013 at 11:53 PM

    It's amazing how you dress up these hats. They are so pretty! Happy Easter.

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  3. AnaMarch 28, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    Oh Carol, your hats are just lovely. It's amazing how a few flowers and some netting can make such a difference. I haven't worn a hat to church on Easter Sunday since I was a little girl but I have been thinking of wearing one this Sunday :-) A very Happy Easter to you.

    Hugs,
    ❤Ana

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  4. DebbieMarch 28, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    I liked the individual shots, but when I got to the last shot with the group of hats, I just loved it because all I could think of was the way my mom, grandmother, and aunts used to look for church when I was a little girl.

    To be honest, I really wish that hats and gloves were still the norm. There is just something beautiful about a woman in a hat and gloves.

    I never knew you could steam the flowers, btw. That's a great tip for anything embellished with flowers.

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  5. MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOIMarch 28, 2013 at 5:58 AM

    So nice and good idea ! But where did I hide the right vintage hat perfect to do use your wonderful idea ? Her in France, we never had this so sweet fashion of millenery hats, and I love them.
    Happy Easter from France
    xoxo
    Joëlle

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  6. BluebirdbasketryMarch 28, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Such a pretty group of altered hats! I am glad to hear that young people are wearing them again, I think it would be so much more fun to prepare for church by choosing a hat and gloves to wear, Lord knows I have lots of both! Love to collect the girly stuff!

    Sue

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  7. Mrs. Kelley DibbleMarch 28, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    This post choked me up, Carol. A beautiful bonnet is treated with your loving care, resuscitating to new life. I think every single one is precious. Oh! The stories they could tell!

    My favorite? The rich chocolate brown! Mmm! It's a beaut'!

    Happy Resurrection Day weekend!
    Kelley~

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  8. sunnyskiesandsweetteaMarch 28, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    I love that pink hat! They are all beautiful!

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  9. YamYamMarch 28, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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  10. YamYamMarch 28, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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  11. YamYamMarch 28, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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  12. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresMarch 28, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    I love your beautiful hats brought back to life with a little time and a lot of imagination. I'm not surprised you sell out!!

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  13. Celestina MarieMarch 28, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Carol I love your vintage hats. You are the best Milliner in reshaping and giving new life to these treasures. I can see why they sell out!
    I have worked with a few and sold them in the past, but now you inspire me to get busy with some again for decorating.
    I will not be wearing a bonnet this Easter!! LOL
    Wishing you a Happy Easter weekend!
    HUGS, CM

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  14. DebbiMarch 28, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    nice upcycle Carol! I remember my grandma wore many of those styles!

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  15. decorayadoraMarch 28, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    It's amazing how you dress up these hats. They are so pretty! Happy Weekend
    Angelica

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  16. Julia @ Vintage with LacesMarch 28, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    All the hats look just beautiful after you've done your magic to them, Carol. No wonder they sell so fast.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  17. PastMasteryMarch 28, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    I wear hats but get looked at in the U.K. as if I'm mad! They aren't so popular here.
    Sue

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  18. Heart Vintage Design March 28, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    What an inspirational post for hat lovers. It makes me want to run out to the thrift stores looking for just the right one!

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  19. farmhouse-storyMarch 28, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    you amaze me, carol--these are just fabulous looking! happy easter to you!

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  20. DebbiedoosMarch 28, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    Lovely hats Carol. I have a small collection of vintage hats that I started way back when. I love them..but they are not nearly as cute as these.

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  21. NanaDianaMarch 28, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    I used to wear Easter bonnets when I was growing up. Back then you wore a hat of some sort to church every Sunday...remember those days? You have a wonderful collection here, Carol- xo Diana

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  22. KathyMarch 28, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    LOVE this post and can't wait to go back and follow the links! I don't find hats around here very often. I have one that is flowers on a base of some sort of plastic net-type thing. It is smashed. Any ideas on how to reshape that plastic base? I would love to attach more flowers to it.

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  23. CreateologyMarch 28, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Of course your hats sell out...they are Tres Chic! You are the Maven of perfect embellishment and style my dear. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

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  24. MelanieMarch 28, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    Pretty vintage hats always catch my eye at markets. A lot seem to be squashed much of the time, it is a shame that many weren't kept in their original hatboxes. I picked up a beautiful hatbox, fully lined with beautiful floral barkcloth last weekend at the fleamarket. I blogged it during the week if you fancy taking a look. I really love the old millinery flowers that you have saved and added to your hats. What a great way to keep them looking pretty. Thanks so much for sharing xo

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  25. UnknownMarch 28, 2013 at 6:53 PM

    You are so cool!! :)

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  26. Savannah GrannyMarch 28, 2013 at 7:40 PM

    So Beautiful!! I have always loved hats and wore them often in the50s and 60s. You make the process seem so easy but I know it is because you are super talented.
    Thanks for sharing,
    xoGinger

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  27. DownTheLaneWithDaisyMarch 28, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    Vintage hats weren't my thing until this post. I just changed my mind. I adore the one with ALL the flowers on it. Wonderful.

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  28. Cozy Thyme CottageMarch 28, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    Your vintage hats are lovely. I never wear a hat anymore but wish they were still in style. Nancy

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  29. KathyMarch 28, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    Carol, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment tonight. I was thinking I might be able to heat the netting and re-shape it. Just have to figure out what to use for the hat form. I don't think a styrofoam head would hold up to heating.
    I hope you don't mind the response here. You are set to the no-reply email address so I can't respond directly.
    XO
    Kathy

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  30. JaneMarch 28, 2013 at 11:59 PM

    Oh my goodness....I loved every one of them! I have never worked with hats but now I'll be looking at them in a whole different light! Great, great job!!
    Jane

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  31. DeborahMarch 30, 2013 at 1:15 AM

    Carol, you can also spruce up the flowers by holding them over a steaming pot carefully or by using a colander CAREFULLY. You don't want them to get too wet.

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  32. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMarch 30, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Carol,
    Love all your altered hats!! So pretty!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  33. GARAGE SALE GALMarch 30, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    When are you going to make a book about all these creations?!! LOVE how they look. I was digging in my linen tote yesterday and found a couple of felt hats that are going to get a new look. Thanks for always sharing such awesome ideas!
    HAPPY EASTER!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  34. Beverly DillowMarch 30, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    How fun! I love looking at vintage hats. I was at a conference recently and a lady had a booth with hats that she turned into purses. I wish I would have picked up her card for her site for you to see. They were really pretty. She had some fur hats turned into a clutch with a rhinestone pin on it. Very pretty! Hard to explain, sorry. Have a wonderful Easter Sunday!
    Beverly

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  35. Beverly DillowMarch 30, 2013 at 6:58 PM

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  36. ConnieMarch 30, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    I remember when I was young . . . every woman and girl had a new Easter bonnet. I love hats and yours are incredible.
    Simply perfect :)
    Happy Easter,
    Connie :)

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  37. Little Miss MaggieApril 2, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    I've been passing up all the plain hats because they never interested me. Never again. This is a fabulous idea.

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  38. AnnesphamilyApril 21, 2013 at 11:22 PM

    I love hats! I would love to find such treasures as these! Sigh!

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