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?

Detachable pompoms

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?

Small Persian lamb

Medium mink

Large raccoon

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.