The first time I crossed paths with a Spotted Sandpiper, I literally giggled!
Possessing a striking “teetering” walk, their tails are almost continuously bobbing as they crouch low to forage.
These animated birds are special favorites who breed here on the Cape near beaches, salt marshes, and the edges of freshwater kettle ponds. You’ll also find them extensively in Alaska, across the Canadian boreal forest and the Yukon.
Coupled with the adults’ gorgeous brown and white polka dotted breasts, Spotted Sandies are tiny characters that always bring a smile…
Make Way for the Piper Fascinator!
You may already be thinking, How could you not want to create a hat to honor this bird, with all those beautiful polka dots!!
So without any further ado, please meet, the “Piper”.
Spotted Sandpipers and I Go Way Back
I have photographed many Spotted Sandpipers over the years – in Chatham, Harwich and Orleans. They are fascinating to watch as they bob along channelbanks, kettleponds, and jetties.
Juveniles do not have the same “polka dot” bellies as the adults. Yet they learn the same “bobbing” motion early on. You’ll see them imitating their parents soon after they tumble out of their shells!
How the “Piper” Fascinator Was Created
To get the new design started, I used white silk dupioni to cover a round fascinator base to symbolize the white breast of the bird.
I lined the interior with a brassy mocha silk dupioni. A classic elastic-and-comb combination was handstitched for a secure fit.
In white silk organza, I handcrafted a small, open curling fan, flattening it as a kind of “nest”. I then took white silk shantung buttons, handpainted them in mocha brown and handstitched them to the organza nest. I painted three more silk buttons in the same manner, and laid them along the edge, or “chest” of the sandpiper.
Next, to frame the trim I created a medley of feathers in varying shades of light and dark brown and mocha silk organza. I wanted to shape them to look like the dark brown upper body of these birds as they teeter up and down, up and down.
Finally, I gathered chocolate brown hat veiling and created a freeform bow cluster which I set directly behind the main trim elements as an accent.
The Saltmarsh Photo Shoot
I could not WAIT for our photo shoot at the saltmarsh. We had a beautiful sunrise. The warm sun and changing colors of the spartina grass made the “Piper” colors pop!
As we worked, a pair of Mallards and several Semipalmated Plovers and Least Sandpipers kept us company.
When we were finished, you can bet I spent some extra time photographing these Beauties…..
And so, the “Piper” fascinator became became the final Summer of 2026 design for the new Polka Dot Hat Collection. More polka dot designs will be coming soon, so be watching for them!
The truly surprising development of the Collection has been the emergence of the “Piper”, Seafoam and Spartina Grass” and the “Berry” designs. Through some lovely fortuitous happenstance, they became the bridge that led me right to where I need to be. Creating hats that are, indeed, Cape Cod-inspired. It is time to create the world that I already know, my ole’ Cape Cod!
And they are just the beginning of the “sea change” here at MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS®.
Coming soon there will be more Cape Cod-inspired chapeau designs, so please be looking here in the The Milliner’s Journal as well as on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Thank you for letting me share my Cape Cod home with you…
~ Sally
