Bonnet made from wool felt

Bonnet made from wool felt

I have been been slowly working more and more in millinery. Since I have such a deep love of costuming and making anything with my hands, it was only a matter of time. I have blocked a dozen bonnets each of which started off life as a different wool hat. This gives me an opportunity to bring together reuse and costuming.

The particular bonnet started off life as a sort of cloche hat. Wool felt is wonderfully malleable. It became what I think is my best bonnet yet. The edge is stabilized with millinery wire and the front edge curls down around the chin which was a very popular in the 1840s. This particular bonnet has been left to be finished by its buyer so you can still see the millinery wire on the front edge.

Built in: 
2010