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Greetings!
Autumn has been a fleeting season for us. I missed sending newsletters in September and October altogether and apologize to those of you that look forward to it. It is not that nothing was happening, I simple ran out of days. November heralds the celebration of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the milliner's saint and we have an article explaining the festival's history.
Our new FAQ section on the website is up and can be reached from the home page or from any Shopping page. It has many more facts and information than previously. The section will continue to grow as I add new explanations in response to your questions. I would like it to be a useful tool for you to use in your everyday hatmaking ventures.
Note: The feature articles have links which allow you, the reader,
to click and be taken to pages giving more detail on the subjects.
all the best to you,
judith
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100% Virgin WOOLFELT Yardage
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We now have wool felt yardage in 100% virgin wool. It comes 36-inches wide and is sold by the yard or ten yard bolt. It is made by the same U.S. mill that makes our blend WoolFelt with the same great quality. It has a nice body and weight and can be draped and blocked just like the blend. It comes in eight lovely colors, plus natural, which can be dyed. We are very pleased to have it and will add more colors as they become available. The felt yardage is perfect to use with the Retro hat patterns now being offered by Vogue and McCalls or, for more contemporary style patterns of your own design.
WoolFelt Link
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| Headblocks are Back in Stock! |
Our Amish made Basswood headblocks are again available.
In 2006 we lost our source for the traditional headblock when our blockmaker retired. I thought we had found a new maker and announced such in our newsletter of July 2007. But I was premature in my declaration as we learned that the machinery the new chap had was unable to duplicate full size headblocks.  The search continued, and a few months ago I located a fellow (almost in my backyard!) that is happy to make them for us. It is actually a mutual project, one Amish business starts the block process and a second Amish business gives the headblock its finished shaped.
The image in this article shows our headblock kit (plate, spinner, blocking ties and runner plus the headblock). The headblock also sells alone. We try to keep sizes on hand, from 21-inch to 26-inch. And we do accept special orders for smaller or larger sizes. Click on the link below to go to the block section of our website for more information.
Hat Blocks
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| HatHelp! or Tricks of the Trade
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La Fête des Catherinettes A celebration of the traditional French festival of hat-makers and their patron saint, Catherine of Alexandria is held on the 25th of November. It has been observed since the 14th century in France, as the day for celebration by single young women, under 25 years old. The day has been revived by Fashion Houses and Milliners around the world as a time of honoring the hat and the hatmaker. Yellow (faith) and green (wisdom) are the traditional colors for the Saint's Day, Along the right hand side of the newsletter are more pictures. Some of the photos will take you to websites with more information about St. Catherine.
Also, I encourage you to simply Google "catherinettes" (or use whatever browser you prefer) to find sites with history of the festival, blogs about St Catherine and so on. While I was browsing the web I discovered a book released in September of this year entitled, "The Catherinettes Celebrate", by Anne Monjaret. A number of milliner groups have begun celebrations during this month. Check locally for events in your area or, start such an affair.
The "HatHelp" column will
focus on a different millinery item or technique each issue and provide
information on hints and how-to's relating to that issue's topic.
Previous articles have dealt with hat veiling, stiffeners and sizing
and working with wire. You may read our previous e-Newsletters in the
Archive on the website. Newsletter Archive
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Thank you for reading our newsletter and for your interest in or love of hats. We delight in hearing what hats you are making or wearing and hope you will keep in touch.
To paraphrase Monty Python, "The problem with
the world today,
There aren't enough people wearing hats."
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November NEWSLETTER
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| Hello from Judith M! |
In this email you will find new or back in stock products and a brief history of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of milliners.
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St Catherine
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from Musee de Chapeau
1937 Paris Postcard
Icon
Catherine of Alexandria
by Carlo Crivelli
French Postcard
French Pattern Page
More On Us |
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