Words Jo Barnes
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
Planting, soil management, pest control, weeding; an avid gardener wears many hats. Like many of us, North Saanich’s Nancy Wood does all these things, but the hats she wears she has made herself.
“I really enjoy gardening and I have a garden at the community garden plots at the Sandown Centre,” shares Nancy. “Years ago, I went to markets, so I was outdoors a lot and exposed to the elements. I couldn’t find a hat to fit myself, so I thought ‘I’ll just make myself a hat’.”
It was a pivotal creative decision, because that large brim garden hat caught the attention of others. Over 25 years and dozens of hats later, Nancy’s customer base has grown. “People were always asking me ‘Where did you get that hat?’ It was a typical garden hat. Now I produce more trendy hats like bucket hats and ball caps,” she says, adding with a laugh: “I’ve been thinking maybe I need to start offering a punch card for repeat customers!”
Nancy’s hats are known for their fun and colourful appearance and great functionality. She markets them at various local farmers markets and through Instagram. This month she will be showcasing them on Valentine’s Day at one of the premier gardening events. “I’ll be at the Seedy Saturday market on February 14 (Crystal Gardens, Victoria from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). It’s a great celebration of gardening and food growing. I like meeting gardeners face to face,” relates Nancy.
Now an experienced milliner, Nancy was introduced to sewing in her childhood when her mother taught her how to use a sewing machine. “When I was growing up, fabric arts and quilting were always in my environment. My mom and aunts were sewers and creators,” she says. “When I was about 16, I purchased my first sewing machine, and I learned to work with stretch fabrics. I made and sold bikinis to my high school buddies which they really liked.”
Over the years, Nancy has thoroughly enjoyed transforming fabric into eye-catching fashion pieces, but it is sun safety that has continued to inspire her creations. “I like colours. I love taking a bolt of fabric that is stunning and turning it into hat, a 3D object that a person can wear and keep safe from the sun,” says Nancy.
The ever-increasing awareness of the risks of sun damage such as severe sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer; these concerns come up repeatedly in her client interactions. “Often customers show up and chat about the issues of skin cancer. I remember one woman who was really happy to find a hat for her husband who was bald and dealing with skin conditions,” she comments. “Some people will say to me ‘My doctor has told me I have to find a hat’. I enjoy helping these customers. A hat will change their life.”
Depending on detailing, each of Nancy’s hats take about 45 minutes to create from pattern to final product. Nancy uses natural fabrics such as cotton, hemp, linen, cotton canvas and twill and also rain fabrics like nylon and oil skin. She aims for functionality. “I don’t use wire or plastic. I create a more flexible, foldable hat that is ideal for travelling,” notes Nancy.
What typically grabs the attention of customers are the vibrant colours and whimsical designs of Nancy’s hats. “My hats are definitely not boring,” remarks Nancy. “People often say “Look at the lining!” I like to use fabric colours such as natural blues, greens and yellows with patterns that are fun. For example, some of them have strawberries and blueberries on them, fun prints for country folk.”
Sometimes, a customer’s choice of hat from Nancy’s market shelf can be surprising. “I made a hat using fabric that had barn owls on it,” says Nancy. “A lady chose this one. She put the hat on her head, saying: ‘Those darn barn owls are always attacking my chickens’.”
A hat is very particular item of clothing. It can be challenging to source a hat that is the right fit, and often people have little experience with choosing a suitable style. Nancy repeatedly hears these concerns and enjoys helping customers. “People often say to me ‘I don’t look good in hats’, and I say ‘Maybe you haven’t found the right hat’, she relates. “When they find one of my hats and tell me that it fits, it feels so good. It’s great to turn them around to the idea of wearing a hat.”
Ever evolving in her creativity, this summer Nancy plans to create matching mother and child hats. They are sure to be just as colourful and fun as her previous creations. For this local milliner, a hat is more than just an accessory. As well as looking fun or fanciful, it keeps the sun out of your eyes while you’re enjoying life either in the garden or elsewhere.
www.facebook.com/nancywooddesigns
