A fashionable Civil War era hat with a shallow,flat crown and shaped brim.
This is blocked on the “Delia” crown and will nicely fit an average head (21″-22.5″ around at the hairline.) Crown is 20.5″ around and 1.75″ deep. The brim is 11.5″ in diameter
Finishing ideas
How have I not seen this painting before? Preparing for a Walk, by Samuel Baldwin, adorns a speckling of blogs and book covers. Yet, I had not seen it before today.
It shows a wide brimmed, shallow crown, dark brown straw hat trimmed in a red ribbon from both the front and back thanks to the mirror.
I am going to need some dark brown straw.
Want a hat with an oval shallow crown and a brim that is just a bit wider while it dips for a little more shapes?
How about a Chapeau Cloche.
This fashionable Civil War era hat has a wide brim that both curves down all around while dipping in front. It is meant for country or seaside wear.
This hat will best fit someone who prefers an oval hat. The crown measures 20″ inside. (Average)
This is a sweet Civil War era hat with a narrower brim. The crown is flat on top with curved, tapered sides. The crown is 20″ around inside for an average size head.
The accompanying illustration is from Peterson’s, August of 1864.
I have been working on a unique bonnet during this wild weather we’ve been having in Western New York. The inspiration for this piece is an 1882 bonnet in the MET collection.
This bonnet has a crown that dips on the sides, causing the brim to curve significantly. This is a very different construction concept compared to the 1850s and 1860s hats I make.
Wednesday we had quite the wind storm wreak havoc on our area. The hurricane force winds knocked out the power in homes throughout several countries. Here, our hundred year old trees held right while neighbors trees snap, power lines ripped from their homes and roofs crushed in. Our town and one adjacent were told not to go outside and banned from travel. I sewed by window light.
Here is Windy, a Regency era hat with a tapered crown and narrow brim. The crown measures 21″ inside. Being round, it fits comfortably on my head in a couple different ways. Tilted further back, centered over a high bun feels very natural. The crown is 5 1/2″ tall. The brim 10″ across.
I still need to get it up in the Etsy shop. This is one of those hats I both really like for myself and would enjoy decorating. Thus some delay. EDIT: Now available in the shop.
Reference images:
On the far right, 1803
1804 
A bit taller. I think this is 1815.
Hop over to Beth’s Bobbins to read her Review of From Field to Fashion.
Thank you, Beth, for the review.
From Field to Fashion is available in my Etsy Shop.
This fashionable Civil War era straw hat is ideal for a promenade about town.
The shallow, oval crown is favored by this with average to small head. The three inch wide brim dips forward and back.
This Civil War era bonnet is ideal for a working class impression.
This bonnet will best fit an average to small head. The cheek tabs turns in slightly, and will hold the bonnet to your head at your neck like originals.
As with my other straw millinery, this bonnet is entirely hand sewn.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 