My Story
Hats© are made of silk fabrics, some of which were purchased on a trip to
China,
and unique vintage fabrics and trims. Before cutting fabrics, I must decide if
the design will be an original Leslie O'Leary or a traditional Chinese. The hat bases
have three to five pieces. The second decision is to choose the outside and
lining fabrics and because they are of equal importance, I put great thought
and care into the choices. These fabric pieces are sewn together and lined with
thin cotton batting, then hand-quilted. Finally, all the pieces are hand-sewn
together to make the hat base.
The third design decision is to
make each hat unique. My greatest pleasure is taking the time to hand-make
every ornament by incorporating vintage Asian fabrics and vintage trims. A
marvelous feeling of serenity and satisfaction comes with sitting and hand
sewing. It’s also a vital part to completing a story. I call it mind sewing and
my way of sharing what is in my heart through these “stories in fabric.”
Story Hays 2015© 2021© Leslie O'Leary-ROotie StudiO
Photography Mark Mortensen
Balance: Butterfly
Good Luck : Fish
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA589EbLFGmDaL2fAlDF9z4ir2qGAItb8z5Ki5R48dWWHewpw8NbgPk15cFStt12oprtUfjAWXnPNy4_gFhQb5Pdw7aRh-rrHn8RlZAzsxvleirkxpjqrdY5Xr-W7GWpiXd2xZx6pRcQ/s640/Goldfish+only1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3Pms5XbGCdBT27bmuN_qxwJm10NB_rbiK7tR3lPKtlBB0dTa4bORVCl_rENOxWHiu2oO6Fi15xwrQ3Ow5O8cKaN88E_W98Q8c2Qt1Yito6D-4hCI3DIPfynfxUkvUFwhYWRJIxzdgw/s640/koi.jpg)
Courage : Dragon
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIVocCp-oVbcuUr1T8jJvLmu3I9KfM2FQ9xHUaRQl2YwIaNB0mwGYh6UUU7urDXD3Wpe7SaeSuiHVVeNy2aGpb_xf1Wpe4S4MicSxWZ2PAGs9GZ4TRx68sIUcsTvH-FjEMBfxLZZR0Q/s640/Dragon+Story+Girl-+hat+side-sm.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWGWEweHeZrygK386QtYOkuaubD3S9XAK_DfCgZ26ZGVZUDPmkV43_Fpxqt_5thhEc0Ya_-qSNM0R0Nkqz9o6ekwiE3fNLlMHhGz9RcR2w-bjgxpRoES9YkpRIEVVh9W9AVa95MFAxA/s640/Dragon+blue+front1.jpg)
Harmony : Seahorse
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj1ab1Pqxme3B71gXAVA_GehLkqBIpUDHJQouhdBfUvMMV_C3e0gnSnKy0LilEkazqWDOxVgimSHTh-nFwoLraVXofptQxTJ-Df5wJiLWl1PBFiB8EW_ZhddxZUGDDBKdnSFmd2ZJOQ/s640/seahorse+closeup1.jpg)
Love: Lily
Perseverance: Lotus
Protection : Tiger
Snow Tiger
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIp2atCjNdL6067ThoGWIuR6MVYuCMJ4nCjrkQPc3G5ctPlcPOcfUskarLLDaSlSYfKxjRcKRNiQ1-tnAu-xVIcRszFfo9exuq_q_y6XXRfBmVZmj3lj0uVIIDWwXTy6aPfiUT5Io2Q/s640/snow+tiger+front1.jpg)
Black Cat
Loyalty : Happy Dog
Strength : Elephant
To be successful, a story must have a reason to be—a symbol the author wants to convey. There are four ways symbolism is used in these hats: To call upon good fortune, to outwit evil forces, to produce social achievement and to wish for happiness and longevity. The legends are from the Chinese calendar; each year has an animal and its own characteristics. To that end, I structure a special traditional hat for each year and by intertwining symbolism and legend, the hat “tells” its own story.