I started by making a paper pattern for the brim and crown. The brim is rather capote shaped and the crown basic and roundish. (Yeah, that's a lame description). I took apart a vintage straw hat for the braid and dampened it. I decided to sew the brim and crown separately and then join the two pieces. To start I loosely basted the first row of straw directly to the paper pattern.
The next rows were sewn overlapping the prior rows. They were just sewn to the braid, not to the paper pattern.
After each row I checked the shape against the pattern and steamed it into place.
Getting close!
Finally the brim piece was done, and could be trimmed and removed from the paper pattern.
The short edges were joined and a braid stitched around the raw edge.
I slipped the crown into the brim for a preliminary peek, before sewing the two together.
Here the crown and brim have been joined and the bonnet steamed and shaped. So far I am quite happy with it, although my fingers are sore! All the whole I was sewing it I kept thinking of the story of Rumpelstiltskin who spun straw into gold, and wondered at the state of his fingers!
For not being a milliner you do make pretty headwear. I love it, looking forward to seeing it trimmed!
ReplyDeleteWe just read about Ma sewing straw hats in Little House in the Big Woods. Grace will be so excited to see your post! She asked me to make her one and I said it was beyond me, but you give me hope...
ReplyDeleteLovely! Looking forward to seeing it finished! It's going to be so cute!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Quinn