To continue on with last week’s story, Testing out bamboo toques and mitts with early adopters, this week’s question is: Are you a pompom girl or not?
1 hat 3 pompoms
Last week I posted a photo of my toque on a mannequin head with 3 pompoms laid out in front. 3 different furs in 3 different sizes: a large racoon pompom, a medium mink pompom, and a small Persian lamb pompom. It garnered a lot of interest. People had their favourite.
I’d been thinking about making the pompom detachable mainly to make washing easy. I also thought the option to go pompom-less for activities like running would be a nice feature.
Then someone mentioned selling a set of pompoms with the toque. That really got me excited. I sewed a button on the bottom of each of the 3 pompoms and opened up a seam on the hat. Voilà, 1 toque, 3 pompoms, 3 different looks. How fun is that?
Now, it’s on to making a proper sample with a nicely finished opening to attach the pompom. I know it sounds so simple and easy to do, but nothing ever is, in the garment industry. The sample will then have to go to the manufacturer to be re-sampled to see how easily it can be re-produced and what the cost would be. Production sewing and home sewing are two entirely different worlds.
Recycled fur
What people really seem to like is that the pompoms are recycled from old fur coats. A new life and purpose for something that’s been worn and loved and is now sitting in the back of a closet. I like that too.
I’ve already had 3 women contact me about donating their unused furs: a raccoon coat, a rabbit stole, a black ranch mink, and a green sheared muskrat (this one will be fun!). Each one comes with a story which makes them all the more wonderful to recycle and reuse. There’ll be a little bit of history atop each toque.
Women helping women
Women’s heartfelt generosity and willingness to help others fills me with so much gratitude, joy, and hope for the future. That is why we need more women leaders in the world. If you have an unused fur coat, I’d love to hear from you.
For now, I have 4 more sample toques to test. These ones are pompom-less. I’m anxious to see how they work for running. So far, the testers have provided fantastic suggestions and feedback. I’m listening to them all. One idea is to make the toque with the bamboo inside out so the fuzzy side shows. That’s up next.
Pick your favourite
In the meantime, tell me which pompom is your favourite? Or, no pompom?
Until next time,
~ Colleen

I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support Rethink Breast Cancer‘s metastatic breast cancer education, support, and advocacy work.
I’m a no pompom person, I wouldn’t remember to take it off before washing it. This said, I am so amazed by your creativity and the amount of thought and work that goes into your designs. Selling the pompoms separately will enable you to stretch out your stock and keep the price of the toque down. Wonderful use of old coats. Check out thrift stores, they’ll accept whatever you’re willing to pay for the fur coats at the end of the season… which is now. Thank you for being a part of our lives, Colleen. You’re an inspiration in so many ways.
Diane, not everyone likes pompoms so thanks for letting me know your preference for no pompom. And thank you so much for your kind words. Wow, I’m so touched. Your tip about checking thrift stores for fur coats is a great one. I just had someone contact me about some fur pieces she’s collected over the years from thrift shops but has never used them. I’m blown away by the response I’m getting.
I thought of you and pompoms yesterday as one of the vendors at Almonte Antiques & Collectibles (upstairs and towards the front of the building) has quite a few fur collars for sale.
Ooh, thanks for the tip, Christine!