If I Had My Own Blue Box:

Today’s Millinery

Tonight I offer a bonnet de paille with a flared brim. (Short description because it has been a long day.) As usual, find it in my Etsy shop.

1804 fashion plate at the Museum of London

Don’t miss this narrow brim chapeaux.

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on August 13, 2016 at 6:16 pm Leave a Comment

I haven’t decided if I am selling this one. I love the shape and the color. I fear I put too much sizing on the $40 of plait causing it to lay flat almost decoupaged like. It is still pretty damp thanks to the incredible humidity.

Because the plait is both wide and nearly body-less, I worked this one over a pre-blocked lining base. I was pretty happy with how the lining shaped and held. I was trying to recreate a lighter version of willow. I wanted to mimic the originals I have seen without having an bonnet that collapses flat. I liked how it came out, other than the creases from the plait that didn’t work out from how it came. That is where I possibly used too much sizing. It also did not help that a furry feline seems to have stolen the spray bottle.

I shall see what happens when it is completely dry.

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on August 10, 2016 at 11:03 am Leave a Comment

Today’s Millinery

I took the crown from my hat that several people have asked for and added a narrow, slightly shaped brim. The brim is narrower in the back and gently dips all around. Find it on my shop.

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on August 10, 2016 at 10:50 am Leave a Comment

Today’s Millinery, x 2

I have two Regency millinery pieces to share tonight.

First.

I made this Regency era straw bonnet working directly from original fashion illustrations. I wanted to be sure to be true to the original lines for straw in this shape. I recommend seeing my full length commentary on my blog as it includes the sources I used.

The hand sewn plait is a supple Milan straw. The brim is fully wired. I blocked the tip and crown on an original bonnet block. Available in my shop.

Second.

When I saw this fashion illustration

of a large crown hat with a little turned up brim trimmed in blue, I knew I had to make it. This hat is going to be so much fun to decorate.

The hand sewn plait is a supple Milan straw. The brim is wired inside the crown. Note, it can be seen from above. Also, find it in my shop.

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on August 8, 2016 at 9:24 pm Comments (4)

Today’s Millinery – A Walk in the Woods

This Civil War era soft crown bonnet reminds me of a late summer walk in the woods.

Soft crown bonnets are appealing because they are light and comfortable. This one has a fashionable spoon brim in a beautiful copper straw with an elegant champagne color silk taffeta crown. It is trimmed in vintage flowers and a lush forest green ribbon.

Find it in my Etsy shop
The soft crown and bavolet are a 100% silk taffeta.
The crown and brim are lined with 100% cotton.
The bavolet is lined with 100% cotton net.
The frill is a fine 100% silk net.
The ribbon is a luxurious double face satin by Hyman Hendler.
The functional ties are 100% cotton sateen.
Vintage flowers .

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on August 5, 2016 at 6:24 pm Comments (2)

Today’s Millinery

This flat crown, narrow brim hat was blocked on an original hat block.

The narrow brim has just a hint of a curve.

The rounder crown with the gradual taper was fashionable and is flattering. It will appeal to those with an average to large head, as well as those with a rounder head.

Find it in my Etsy shop.

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on August 3, 2016 at 9:16 am Leave a Comment

Today’s Millinery

This coppery brown straw plait hat was blocked on an original block. The crown has a fashionable flat top with tapered sides and a shaped brim.

This crown is 21.5″ inside.The wider crown may be more comfortable for average to larger size heads.

Find it in my Etsy shop.

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on July 29, 2016 at 11:23 am Leave a Comment

Today’s Millinery – Little Blue

Here is a little hat waiting to perch a top the right woman’s head.

The deep blue straw plait has been braided for the edge of the narrow shaped brim. It is trimmed lightly with vintage velvet and organdy flowers that remind me of wild flowers. The inside is lined and cotton sateen ties are added.

Find this hat in my Etsy shop.

Thisnis one of those rare times I will try to take a photo of me wearing a hat. I want people to see how it is worn.

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on July 22, 2016 at 1:35 pm Comments (2)

Today’s Millinery – Red Velvet and Plume

With a vintage red velvet ribbon and airy black plume, this fashionable Civil War Era hat was blocked on an antique hat block. The crown is slightly rounder than my hand carved blocks, with a flat top and tapered sides. The brim dips in the front and slightly in the back.

Find it in my Etsy shop.