More Regency era clothing and accessories? Why not! I’ve spent the majority of this pandemic sewing through my fabric and notions surplus, so when it’s safe to gather again, I’ll have plenty of options to wear to Houston Regency Society events. Last week I converted a cheap floppy straw hat to a casual and simple Regency bonnet using a combination of hot gluing, hand sewing, and machine sewing. It wasn’t inspired by a fashion plate or fictional character, I just wanted to throw something pretty together!
[Related: My First Foray Into the Regency Era]
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I’ve already had two cruises canceled, and with no clue when cruising will start back up again, it’s pretty clean I’m not going to be bon voyaging any time soon…so this floppy hat needed to die be repurposed. I prefer to travel with a smaller fedora anyway.
First, I cut out the stupid “bon voyage” section and angily threw that away. I also removed the band on the inside, and about an inch from what was left of the brim. I have made other bonnets (see below), but not an entirely straw one.
[Related: A Quick Regency Picnic Bonnet and A Quick Regency Tartan Bonnet]
I ripped the seams on the brim from the edge to about 2″ towards the front on each side, tucked the raw edges inside, and hot glued them in place. This was a very quick process.
Next, I hand gathered lace for the inside of the brim edge and on the inside of the crown. I hot glued the lace in place, very pleased with the quick facelift that gave the bonnet.
Next, I pinned about a 3 yards of satin ribbon into about a yard of box pleats, and ran that through the machine. And you bet your bonnet I hot glued that trim onto the hat.
Wanting to cover up the machine stitching and add a little pop of color, I hot glued thin navy blue velvet ribbon around the trim, and added a little bow to the back. It’s so cute!
Velvet ribbon: Chenkou Craft 30 Yards 3/8″ Velvet Ribbon Total 30 Colors Assorted Lots Bulk
And finally I added three fingernail-curled ostrich feathers and one sinamay calla lily to the front side of the trim. I can go overboard with hat trim, so I had to really discipline myself to keep this as simple as I envisioned. I may add white or navy satin ribbon ties later, but for now, this bonnet is done!
Ostrich feathers: Sowder 14-16inch(35-40cm) Ostrich Feathers Plume for Wedding Centerpieces Home Decoration Pack of 10pcs(White)
Millinery supplies (including the calla lily above): simplysilverbyheena from the U.K. on Etsy
Currently, we have plans to spend part of spring break in a beach house in Galveston just for a change of scenery, so I’m planning on bringing the bonnet, a shawl and ribbon belt, and the floral cotton dress pictured above (from my Lizzy Bennet costume from Pride Prejudice and Zombies) to take pictures of on the beach. I’ll post those pictures here.
Edited 6/22/2021: I did snap a few photos of this ensemble on the beach in March. See those photos (and a preview below) here: A Regency Sunrise on the Beach
More Regency costuming on Red Shoes. Red Wine.
My First Foray Into the Regency Era
A Quick Regency Sleeveless Spencer
A Quick Regency Sleeveless Spencer: Historical Hogwarts Edition
A Simple Regency Summer Picnic Gown
Sewing a Regency Waistcoat (and Slip Vest)
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