Are you tired of bags yet?
I have one more and a little extra.
This bag was a rather last minute affair. It was to wear with a plain dark ankle length summer suit. I only needed something small to carry my emergency kit, a small change purse, a lipstick and a large handkerchief. It would be an emotional day and I had kept a special handkerchief for such an occasion…. The handkerchief belonged to Jack.
Fills and flounces were never my scene and a plain suit without decoration was what I was after since the proceedings involved a walk; and it was only right and proper for me not to distract from the person beside me. It was after all her special day. This person was not alone the centre of attention, but the centre of my world.
Have you guessed yet?
Yes! It was Elly’s wedding day and I was ‘giving her away’!
Elly with her three mothers!
I think I would be correct in saying, that for any Mother of the Bride, the Outfit is the first and most important item on their shopping list for the big day, followed by hat, shoes and bag. For me it was headgear. I knew I wanted something for my head, not necessarily a full hat, but something to wear at a tricky angle – a hat tip, pun intended, to both my mother and mother-in-law, who were both involved in the millinery business during their early lives. I began collecting feathers from the time Elly & George became engaged. Once again a picture was forming inside my head….
Three months before the wedding I was in Dublin staying with Elly for a few days. The plan was: a fitting for her outfit, attending a function one day and a shopping trip to look at mother of the bride outfits. So we eventually found time to go shopping. Within one hour we were on the way home with half an outfit. The usual story… they had a skirt in my size but not the jacket. Phone calls to branches in Belfast and Edinburgh brought the promise of the correct sized jacket for me being available in the latter. I was assured it would be delivered by courier within two days of my arrival home. It arrived. I hung it on a hanger for three days and finally decided to make a small alteration to the front of the jacket, changing it sufficiently to make it unique. A week later I found the pink top and my shoes.
I used pink Sinamay, the same tone as my top, to form a layered bow which I attached to a side comb. This became the base of my Fascinator. Then the fun began adding wired beads and then placing the feathers into the Fascinator. I bought a Styrofoam head stand and pinned the Sinamay bow in the position I wished to wear it. Then I worked slowly with a tweezers and superglue adding the feathers – not a job you do in a hurry, or with children or animals about. I also had a magnifying glass at the ready for the tricky little feathers. It took several hours to produce the effect I desired. I left it to sit out and air dry for about three days. It was only then that I tried it on. I was happy.
All the while I was working on Elly’s outfit. On a trip to Belfast for some extra beads, I overheard a conversation… It was like a light being switched on. Another customer had an envelope clutch bag that she had made and wanted advice on a suitable shoulder strap for it. In a shop like that we are usually like-minded customers willing to share ideas and help. I joined the conversation with several ideas that the owner had not thought of. We learned from each other that day and I came home with inspiration for my bag.
I mentioned last week about a bag shaped like a gift bag and that came back to me. The fact that I had one sitting on the table may have helped. Opening the seams carefully I had my pattern, all I needed to add a seam allowance.
I was back to making a fabric again. The base I used this time was medium felt. Over this I placed a layer of muslin and yes you guessed it small scraps of silks and organdie in bright summer colours. The sparkle over fabric toned them down a little. I held the sandwich together with a grid of plain machine sewing in a silver metallic thread. One idea was to cut away the upper layer in some of the squares (I tried it on a sample piece, but quickly rejected it). The handles I made with three rows of beads leaving the ends free to move. I had two large press studs as closures on the inside and I lined the bag in a pale grey to which I added an internal pocket.
I did not carry the bag for the business end of things entrusting it to my No.1 sister-in-law. I wanted both my hands free. It was returned to me before the photographs were taken after the ceremony.
UPDATE: My Fascinator seemed to fascinate everyone, pun intended, and since WWW asked for a close up, I will add it here.
The black looking feathers were in fact a very dark shiny green on the upper side.
I’ve held pins in my mouth while sewing, ever since I started sewing at age 10. I’ve never swallowed one. How ’bout you Grannymar? (anyone?)
I’m also skilled at talking with pins in my mouth.
Nice hat & outfit.
Bike Hike Babe, your name is definitely on my perfect dinner party guest list. Oh, the mischief you and I could rack up! Grannymar will, obviously, get the plum job of creating individual doggy bags for the guests to take home.
Grannymar, I love your ‘hat’, the feathers complimenting your neat hairstyle – says she whose disobedient mass of long curls defies any milliner – other than maybe your mother’s talents (the reason I don’t like Ascot and Henley; however, funerals are great since I can wear my little black French number complete with a tiny veil to cover my face).
Yes, brides, mothers, maidens and their respective outfits. On these isles there is the tradition of fitting and matching all beforehand. Not where I come from. The trauma, Grannymar. First time I saw my mother in her attire was the morning the ceremony took place. Let’s just say two things: When we arrived at the place of the reception the maitre mistook my mother for the bride, and my newly acquired mother-in-law was scandalised at my mother’s fashion faux-pas. I thought it hilarious, and why shouldn’t my mother have a moment of glory at her own daughter’s wedding?
Second time round she wore black – just to be on the safe side.
U
Grannymar,
You’ve added so many lovely touches to this post.
Your special hankie, the gorgeous outfits, your dainty hat and bag but the bit I loved most of all, was your tribute to Elly…
“This person was not alone the centre of attention, but the centre of my world”
I so admire your ability to communicate the important things in life.
Now, I’m curious to know more about Elly’s three mothers?
You all looked wonderful! I love the feather “hat” – perfect for the outfit!
Thanks Girls for your comments. It is busy here today so many distractions….!
BHB -Pins in my mouth… occasionally I still do, but mostly use the lid of my pin box.
Steph – People, especially those I love, are and were the most important part of my life.
Judy – My headgear, never moved allowed my face to be seen in the photos and still left one side of my face free for all those kisses a ‘mother of the bride’ receives.
You haven’t told us yet about Elly’s three mothers.
BHB, You know about the boring one. 🙄 The others are real special ladies and no doubt you will learn more about them in future posts.
Family is what makes our lives so blessed, and interesting.
Loved your feather hat. Just the thing.
Brighid, loved ones are the true gold in life.
Don’y knowmuch about bags…but that’s quite a bevy of belles there!
You are a truly talented lady GM. and I love reading your creative sewing posts.
The hat and bag are triumphs of patience and imagination!
Could I please have a close-up of the hat my dear?
You are so amazingly creative, as you know I’m positively enthralled with your needle posts….
XO
WWW
You’re so clever. I’m just about to catch a plane for a shopping spree in Melbourne (wonder if I’ll run into your bro?). And one of my travelling companions is looking for a ‘mother of the groom’ outfit. GAH I hate shopping . . you looked wonderful. I remember the wedding. A tribute to your skills Grannymar . . .now can I come over and get you to take my trousers in? Either that or I need prosthetics in my bum.
Magpie – On everyone’s behalf, I say thank you!
Geri – They were fun to make.
WWW – I have updated the post and added a close-up.
Baino – I hope the shopping trip went well (I am sure it is over by now). Not sure where the bro is this week, but he buys his socks twelve pairs, all black in one go! He has no gra for shopping!
You can put a lot of Ascot ladies to shame with that hat Grannymar.
Ramana, The hats were my favourite part of Ascot, I left the horses to Jack. Mind you I was a dab hand at picking a winner! Without Jack, Ascot lost its sparkle for me and I have not placed money on a horse since. Good times like that are best left to memories.
I never did place my bets on any horses either. They were all on mares and geldings! Got you there?
Ramana, Is your middle name Jack? 😆
Another creative triumph Granny! 😀 Everyone looks really beautiful in the photos.
Alice,
A little spit and polish works wonders! 😀
Voila! Well done.
Nancy that is my kinda fun!