Saturday, May 30, 2009

Top Hats for a Mad Tea Party

Have you heard about the Mad Tea Party being held on 27 June and hosted by A Fanciful Twist? Go here to sign up your blog to be part of the fun.

To get us in the mood, I've gathered together some top hats any Mad Hatter would be happy to wear. Just click on each pic to check out these crafty milliners.

In January 1797, a certain John Hetherington appeared in the streets of London. The hat maker walked along the thoroughfare wearing a top hat in the shape of a stovepipe. Within a short time, a large crowd had gathered around him. There was such chaos that an 'officer of the law' grabbed Hetherington by the collar and summonsed him before the court. He was accused of disturbing public order. The officer, who dealt with the scandal, described the offence as follows: Hetherington had such a tall and shiny construction on his head that it must have terrified nervous people. The sight of this construction was so overstated that various women fainted, children began to cry and dogs started to bark. One child broke his arm among all the jostling. Hetherington was fined 50 Pounds, an absolute fortune in those days. And a law was passed forbidding anybody to wear the top hat in public on the grounds it scared timid people!

Or if you’d like to whip up one of your own, have a look at these pdf patterns for a crocheted and a knitted number.

Top hats make arresting decorating statements. How lovely to lay about in bed gazing up at your own Mad Hatter chandelier - seen on Poppy Talk and available from Lampa.

Add to the look with this quirky top hatted deer lamp at Minas Art.

But be careful. Top hat wearing is contagious. Look at this group gathering that I chanced upon at my house this morning.

ps The print giveaway here will be drawn on 3 June so leave a comment on any post to be in the draw.

20 comments:

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Excellent hats! Great history on the stovepipe ones too...had not a clue! Have a terrific weekend!

Unknown said...

ok, i am in even though Alice in Wonderland always creeped me out a bit x

Strawberry Girl said...

Oh yeah, Alice in Wonderland stands as one of the top creepy movies out there, is it a contemporary of The Wizard of Ozz? That to me is the top old fashioned creepy movie for little ones to watch (or just about).

studioJudith said...

The gathering you "chanced upon" at your house .... now, that's an intriguing concept.
A bit like they have a life of their own and
you caught them before they finished with their party !

Jjjj

Jetta's Nest said...

I saw this the other night and joined up because I've been in love with Alice in Wonderland since I was a little girl.

Is that party really in your house? Your house looks very cool!

Linda S. Socha said...

Another wonderful post!! What a lovely event to anticipate!
Linda

Chasing Snails said...

Top Hats are utterly romantic... well, I think so anyway.

Poor Hetherington! Amazing that such Chaos could be caused from simply wearing a Top Hat.

Damn, you're house is a lot more fun than mine by the looks of it : ).

Artsnark said...

Too fabulous! Perhaps my favorite post yet!

Unknown said...

ha ha ... Jesus said, where are my tails and that cane ??

Anonymous said...

mm.. a knitted, felted top hat..hmm...yes...

Andrea said...

Love it!

The Clever Pup said...

A lovely display of hats. I'm sorry you chose not to follow me any longer.

Mimi said...

LOVE IT! I am obsessed with Alice in Wonderland, I have 2 authentic Disney records and it will be my theme for my birthday [if I have more time to plan]

xo

Unknown said...

Wonderful diplay of hats!! I'm also in the Mad Tea Party list from a Fanciful Twist, I can't wait! I already have tons of neat stuff in the works :)
See you there!

Hug...

Hey Harriet said...

That Mad Tea Party event sounds fun! Thanks for letting us know about it. I love that little gathering of top hat wearers that you chanced upon in your house!

Anonymous said...

I like the deer! SO CUTE!

Susan Tuttle said...

These hats are scrumptious! I loved looking at each and every one:)

Sam said...

Top hats are very iconic, aren't they? Love your selection here - especially the Topsy Turvy top hat - I've always liked Kim's hats!

Snowbrush said...

Darn, I just missed it, I suppose.

Loved the photos. Where DO you get all that stuff!

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