Inspiration:

After doing some more extensive research on the Civil War, I realized how horribly inaccurate the cloth bonnet I had made was. I looked around for a more authentic solution. Most bonnets (even plain frames) went for about $40 or more, way over my budget. So when I found instructions for making my own basic bonnet, I decided to give it a shot. Even if the bonnet itself isn't 100% accurate, it gives the proper period look I was wanting.

One interesting article I read was Topping It Off: Millinery in the Civil War by Anna Allen. Anna's web site The Graceful Lady.com has also been a big source of inspiration.

Materials:

A 99 cent straw hat from a Michaels craft store, purple and white flowers (fake), red ribbons, white ribbons, leftover fabric from my CW dress, white muslin.

I found the instructions for my straw bonnet at The Thrifty Reenacter.

Construction:

This project went pretty well, although it took longer than I had expected at first, and at some parts I had to do some fiddling around. The instructions were very clear and simple, but maneuvering the straw and gluing the brim in brim in place took some brains.

To be more authentic I should have hand stitched the bonnet together, but I knew from the start that I wouldn't have the patience to poke the needle back and forth through the straw, so I resorted to the wonders of a glue gun.

The only significant change I made to the way it went together was that I lined the entire inside of the bonnet, because the straw tended to catch on my hair in a very unpleasant way. :)

I also, kept buying ribbons that were too red. They'd look fine under the yellow lights at JoAnn's, but out in the real world they looked too Christmasy. I ended up choosing a more purple color after two bad tries. I guess that third time's the charm!

My sister Rebekah and I ended up attaching thin white ties inside the bonnet as well as the big colored ties on the outside. I read that this was commonly done, as the white ties held the bonnet on, and the colored ties were more decorative. Rebekah discovered that attaching the white ties high on the inside of the bonnet helps keep the it from sliding off the back of your head, which really is a plus.

The Finished Bonnet:

I am very pleased with the way this project turned out!

For more shots of me wearing my bonnet view the First Ladies Tea Pictures!