Straw Millinery

UPDATE IN PROGRESS

My Publications

From Field to Fashion: Straw Bonnets – history of straw bonnets, the industry and the process for making bonnets.

For those looking to create their own straw bonnet, I started a series of Workbooks. The first is now available: The Straw Bonnet Workbook: Ca 1850s-1860s.

Straw Millinery in General

1850s-1860s Straw Bonnets & Hats

Milliner & Millinery History

I am particularly fascinated by straw bonnets and the straw bonnet industry. The bonnets themselves for me are a beautiful combination of nature and art. Each bonnet is plaited, woven, crocheted, sewn or a combination of these to create a well curving base for a stunning array of embellishments.  The industry held a unique niche in the ever-changing industrialization of the nineteenth century, as the straw bonnet industry combined cottage industry with commercial industrialization.

Published on March 26, 2009 at 8:58 am  Comments (4)  

4 CommentsLeave a comment

  1. On June 19, 2009 at 2:45 pm Pam Gonser said:

    How old did you have to be to wear the straw bonnet during the civil war? The dress one like a spoon bonnet.

  2. On June 22, 2009 at 9:04 am Anna Worden said:

    Hi Pam,
    There are straw bonnets for children through the mid-19th century.

  3. On June 3, 2010 at 2:56 am vicky said:

    Dear Anna,
    I am very interested to learn more about the history and construction of straw bonnets and hope you can contact me regarding your book, ‘From Field to Fashion’ I would like to buy a copy if possible.
    Best Wishes
    Vicky Potter

  4. On July 31, 2018 at 2:21 am Donna Nance said:

    Fascinating web site. Thrilled to be a part of it.


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