How to Trim an Old Hat.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIII, 26 March 1904, Page 63

How to Trim an Old Hat.

SOME USEFUL AND PRACTICAL MILLINERY HINTS. In the twinkling of an eye, ladies, you can trim a charming hat in either of the two ways I am about to indicate. It is a great blessing when one has to trim one’s own hats not to have to worry over complicated fashions which demand both time and patience. I am going to put before you nothing that is unnecessary or compli eated, and this is an excellent opportunity for novices to attempt the amusing art of hat-trimming- They will not run the risk of crumpling and spoiling hand some trimmings. They will have neither tulle that tears nor muslin that crushes; simply a shape of a plain allround form with a low crown and a wide flat brim, such as may be bought at almost any shop, in good felt. They were worn last year trimmed with long plumes, or turned up so tts to form one of the three-cornered ‘highway man” or "marquis” hats, which found much favour and are still to be seen. If any of my readers has such a hat in her wardrobe, she cannot do better than try the experiment on it. Let her begin by picking all the trimmings to pieces, talking off even the wire that edges it, which, if retained, can never be made to look quite like new. as despite all efforts it will show some indi cation of the shape it formerly took. When the hat is quite bare, pick out carefully every thread, then lay the shape flat on a table, the brim downward. and brush well with a soft brush, then with a bit of silk chiffon or the soft pads men often use for silk hatsIf needful a hot iron may be passed over the brim, taking care to iron with the pile of the felt and to cover this with a bit of moist linen, which will help efficaciously to remove any creases. The hat will now be restored to its primitive shape. In order to renovate it, begin by putting in fresh silk wire. Sew it all round the brim—with knotted stitches, say the milliners. This wire will later on be almost entirely hidden by the trimmings. Now turn up the brim at the back, beginning three-quarters back, touching the crown and coming to a point behind like the letter A laid on its side. Fix it in shape by means of pins, and tuck in the point underneath so that it may not show, and that the hack of the new shape may fit closely to the head according to the present mode. It is now a very becoming.

rather long amazone shape. If liked, a barrette covered with velvet may lainserted under the brim in front close to the inner side of the crown. This will elevate the hat and prevent il flattening the hair. Most women look all the better for having their hats slightly raised in front. The trimming is the easiest thing possible. Either of the methods we are about to suggest is fashionable, and is becoming to most faces; choice, therefore, may depend on the materials at hand. If a girl happens to have a couple of nice ostrich feathers as good as new, or of feathers that have been successfully dyed or cleaned and curled, she may take the first suggestion. Cut a piece of sofl silk ribbon into lengths, seven or eight altogether, of about a finger length each, make these into loops firmly sewn at the base and tastefully turned backon themselves to form a chou or rosette. This can be fixed on the brim in front so as to conceal the stems of the two feathers, which should be placed one on earn side, and fall on the hair behind- The effect is best when the plumes are not quite of the same length. The home milliner who does not possess any ostrich feathers sufficiently good for the purpose, and who doesnot feel inelined to buy new ones simply to trim up an old hat. may choose as an alternative cock’s feathers. Another mode of trimming is to set at each side of the hat. on the raised brim of the hat and sloping down, a pair of brown partridge wings. These on a brown felt would look extremely well. Another pair of similar wings sot in front cover the crown.