Emma

Caroline Devonport

United Kingdom

• Bonnet Frame Project by Ani Stafford-Townsend
• Poke Bonnet Project by Ani Stafford-Townsend

I have long enjoyed historical costume and dress, and have been trying to build on my historical millinery techniques. When I saw the bonnet projects, I knew I needed to have a go, though I did decide to do more of a coal-scuttle bonnet instead of a poke bonnet as this was more suited to a dress I was making.

I created a mood board using images collated from various museums to get I feel of common decoration and styling of period bonnets. I started by using historical millinery guides and more modern millinery books to create a pattern I liked on the shape of on pattern paper.

I then sketched some designs and selected the colours I wanted to use, I wanted the bonnet to have an almost bridal feel so selected white and pale baby blue. I decided to use quilting cotton as it is easy to work with and creates a nice crisp finish.

I plan to make a poke bonnet in black as a mourning bonnet, so will use the tutorials again.

• Double-sided, Double Stiffened Buckram (White)
• White thread
• Millinery Wire
• Cotton Bias Binding
• White self-print polka dot quilting cotton Fabric
• Pale blue Lace
• Pale blue Satin Ribbon
• Pale blue Petersham ribbon

• Two layers of buckram, for both the tip and Brim, pressed these together.
• Wired the edge of the brim and the tip, covered wires in Bias Binding.
• Pinned and Stitched tip to back of the brim.
• I covered the tip and I joined the tip lining and brim lining, covering the edges of the bonnet.
• I attached ribbon ties.
• I pressed the edges of the outer fabric inside and covered the bonnet.
• I then trimmed the inside with a double layer of lace, which I gathered, and Petersham ribbon at the back of the bonnet.
• I created pleated ribbon decoration for the outside of the bonnet.