Saturday Night Hat

Caroline was nice enough to send me a copy of Saturday Night Hat by Eugenia Kim, and I *really* like it.

First of all, and I know this is the kind of thing only an editor would notice or appreciate, but one Joanne Paek is given credit, right on the cover, for technical writing. That's awesome, because, well, technical pattern writing is HARD. And no matter how good you are at the doing, the writing of the doing is a completely different skill. I really admire Kim (and her publisher, Potter Craft) for not only hiring a technical writer, but giving her prominent credit. That's a sign of a generous spirit and consideration for the readers.

And that generous spirit continues through the book. Kim outlines half-a-dozen classic hats with as many variations each. I'm not especially a hat person (okay, I love hats, but that thing you do when you look in the mirror and take one thing off before you leave the house? What usually comes off, in my case, is the hat) but I'm definitely going to make her beret, and probably the cloche and the fedora as well, if I can figure out a way to keep the latter two from fighting with my glasses. Some of her hats are worth wearing contact lenses for, and that's saying something.

One last thing: isn't that bib dress on the cover adorable! I love it with the fedora (although I also believe that cowboy boots are fashion-victimy nine times out of ten. Of course, every time I see that tenth woman on whom cowboy boots are *perfect*, I change my mind ...)

Thank you, Caroline! What a great book!

Comments

[Kait]

I just had to return this book to the library, as I couldn't renew it any longer. Great visuals and I wanted to make that dress too! I even have the fabric.

[AmeliaB]

I'll have to see if this book is at my library. I love hats and don't seem to have enough "wearable ones" Since I tend to buy ones that are just a tad to formal or over the top to wear around town. P.S. That dress *is* cute. ~Amelia

[Mandy]

I agree, it's really nice to see the tech writer credit. I'm a knitting tech editor and often the patterns that are published in a publication I have edited are, in fact, completely rewritten by me. It's not a job that's sufficiently credited.

[Moonwishes]

The only hats that I ever really liked wearing are the two my husband made for me. One knitted, the other crocheted made to my size. They fit my head, which is why I usually hate wearing hats as most are too small for my head and literally try to jump back off when you put them on me.

[Kate]

Wow! Thanks for this one. Will add to my collection. It's amazing how many women think they don't like hats until they finally find one that fits and suits their face. Trouble is there's not much variety to choose from in stores tho' it's getting better. Good for EK! Much hipper looking than most how to's.BTW: I'm a milliner who wears glasses and yes, you CAN wear a hat with glasses!Kate Q:-)

[Rebecca Haden]

So often it's what you're used to, with hats and with boots. That tenth woman is probably the one who grew up on a ranch.

[Karen]

Erin, what a great little book! I've always wanted to make my own hats, but end up buying truckloads on visits to Japan...for some reason, all the hip hat styles in Tokyo look better with glasses, my one true love. I have to agree about cowboy boots--unless you're actually riding horses or even mucking out a barn, what have you, wearing cowboy boots is just a bit tacky. Some girls can carry off the cowboy boots + dress look like champions, though, and my heart feels a twinge of jealousy every time!

[Kate]

I think both Rebecca and Karen have hit on the crux of the matter. It's really about attitude when you wear the hat, dress or boots. Hat lovers like to call it hattitude. That doesn't mean you need to be pushy or arrogant - just confident and self assured. It draws admiring glances - an old trick I learned in acting school a gazillion years ago. Go for it!Kate Q:-)

[Joe.Karen]

Fun! And believe it or not, my husband went to high school with Eugenia Kim. Doesn't mean much since you don't know either of us. But it still gives him a start when he sees mention of a girl he did h.s. projects with in magazines and on t.v.!

[Tara Goldman]

I have this book and I *LOVE* it!! I just made the sun hat the other day, and despite a few accidental tucks, it is sooo cute and it only took a few hours!