Another
Jaguar for my
Collection...

I can't seem to resist this style of hat whenever it pops up on eBay, which is often, which also means this topper must have been really popular back in the 1930s and 1940s and every woman and her sister had one of these on their heads, which also makes me think of how many animals lost their skins in the name of fashion. *Shiver.* I can't say I'm totally against wearing genuine furs today, but everything in moderation, even with things that are in plentiful supply now because you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Of course, that means you better stock up on what you really love while you can because I don't want to hear any complaining about how you can't find Chuck Taylors in your size or price range when you really need them. But back to this hat. I think what's so appealing about it is how it's kind of a neutral you can wear with just about anything. What's more, anyone could wear it. I could see it on my mom, if she dared or my sister if she doubled-dared. It's got that trendy urban vibe, even though it's vintage. It certainly doesn't look like it dates back to World War II! While anyone with just about any type of hair could wear it, I think it would look best with ear-length hair. Other than that you could wear this with just about anything: an emerald-green suit, jean jacket or a head-to-toe black ensemble. Or how about Joan McGowan's knitted fishnet stockings? I swear I'm going to wear those stockings with leopard-print peep-toe sandals just like the model in the picture if I ever get around to using Joan's knitting recipe!

Got Gimp?
(And that's not Gump.)

We're not talking Forest Gump, but gimp, a rayon-covered crochet thread. You've seen it in purses. Compared to regular sewing thread, gimp looks thick and hearty. Like it wouldn't snap if you pulled on it. That's why it's such a great material for handbags and clutches which can get a lot of wear and tear. As much as you've seen gimp in accessories, you'd be hard-pressed to find it in a hand-craft store such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby even a Jo-Ann Superstore. It just isn't readily available to the home hobbyist. I've found my gimp (mostly the vintage variety) on eBay. Spools and spools of the stuff from the 1930s. Here's a contemporary source of the thread. Apparently you can dye it. I had no idea. I've made (and unmade) an 1930s purse from my gimp. It was really pretty, but I wasn't getting the gauge I wanted so I undid my work. It's still sitting in my closet waiting for another project. Next time I might try a hat, perhaps from a pattern such as the one above. It wouldn't long even though you're working with a small hook. Little projects like hats go quickly.