A Weekend of 1920s

Waking up to heavy rain on the day of our 1920s croquet afternoon was dispiriting, but we got dressed up and crossed our fingers. I wore the pink cloche with swirly rosettes.

The rain had eased considerably by afternoon, but an umbrella escort was still the best option for taking your shots, before returning under cover.

This was inconvenient, so in the end I dispensed with my hat and stopped worrying about the rain.

This is all happening at the Blue Mountains Manor House, as part of the Roaring 20s and All That Jazz Festival. I'm ashamed to say this is the first time I've been to the Manor House, even though I walk past it to the train station!

I also made a hat for the lovely Ruanne. She wanted something with a wider brim for the sun (we wish), upturned at the front.

I took the opportunity to keep practising my straw braid skills, and added some of the leftover fabric from her dress (which she made herself).

And for dinner, I swapped to a black felt cloche, and jet in place of pearls. Just a few days earlier I bought a broken necklace, and it makes the perfect sparlky fringe for this hat.

I only got a quick mobile portrait on the night, but here are some more photos of the hat.

One of the things I love about blocking felt is playing with the ends in different ways. It's never the same twice.

I discovered something important this weekend - croquet is fun! I wasn't too terrible at it, either, which makes for a nice change.

Now all we need is our own manor house with a big flat lawn...