The Sewist

I sew, knit and crochet hats. (Not all at the same time. Whaddaya think I am - a machine?)

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Netscape

Netting. Sometimes known as net. Always the stuff of dreams, romance, love and laugher, I am fascinated by the different types of this netlike fabric that were available back in the 1930s and before: windowpane, chenille dots, double diamonds, Russian Veiling (the chenille-dot variety) and much more. There wasn't just basic black then, contrary to what you might think. If you wanted purple net you could choose plum, grape, lavender, pansy, violet, etc. When I go hunting for netting today at a local bridal shop, I'm surprised at the multitude of hues available, but I can only imagine the rainbow of colours and types of net on the shelf back in the millinery heyday.
Asides from this eBay find, where else can you find vintage netting? Try garage sales, vintage shows and antique shops. I have to warn you: this stuff is brittle. One millinery friend tells me that was true even back in the 1950s. One gush of wind and whoosh! You had a rent in your netting. So be prepared for Father Nature to flirt with your hat, particularly the netting. But don't let that stop you from buying it and using it to embellish your chapeau! Tell me how you've adorned your hats with netting.

2 Comments:

Blogger Marie said...

Veiling gets softer with handling, but much care is needed with vintage veiling.

10:35 AM  
Blogger Violet said...

Netting at a BRIDAL shop! Of course! Why did I never think of that?

I love your blog. !!

Dorothy

11:47 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home