A new hat

I take medication that causes me to get sunburnt very quickly, so I really need to wear a hat to events. The only problem is that I have a huge and very strangely shaped head so it is difficult to find hats that will fit me.

For a long time I toyed with the idea of making a hat like this one in the image of a 'Girl from Turin' from Vecellio's Costume Book:

As you can see, it has an open top to allow for her hairstyle. I bought several old straw hats and had planned to re-sew them into a hat like this, but I never got around to it. (I will - eventually.)

At the recent Medieval Fair, a friend introduced me to The Undertailor, who specialises in historical corsetry, undergarments and millinery. I had the opportunity to look at her wonderful hats and hairpins, and found a hat that will fit on my head, even over a caul or a coif! Here's a picture:

I am completely delighted with my hat - and the prospect of no more sunburn! Plus I picked up some chignon and bun pins.

If you would like to contact The Undertailor, go to http://theundertailor.com.au/ or have a look for her on Facebook.

Preparations

I am preparing to start the Realm of Venus mini-challenge tomorrow. In light of my health problems, I have probably bitten off more than I can chew, but I have enjoyed the preliminary research. I need a nice new coat for winter; I have a green Dutch coat made out of green recycled wool blanket, but it is quite itchy so I am keen to get something more comfortable.

The coat must be usable for both Elizabethan and Italian ensembles. Here are my main inspirations scanned  from Vecellio's Costume Book (Italian section):

Plate 190- 'Unmarried peasant woman of Tuscany' got added by mistake!

Hopefully I will be able to finish in time. I will post progress and pictures at the end.