This Beautiful reproduction of an 1800s visiting bonnet hat is all hand formed and hand sewn. This would be great for costumers, Regency, Victorian, or Civil War re-enactors as well as SASS members.

This bonnet was created for the MOE Hats for the Silver Screen contest.

I chose the 1940s movie Pride and Prejudice. Before the wonderful A & E production or the newer movie the only interpretation of the book was the 1940s movie which used updated costuming rather than period correct. I created this hat for a more period correct version. This Visiting Bonnet would have been worn by Miss Jane Bennet when she first visits Netherfield. It is the one she would be wearing when she gets soaked in the rain, getting ill and having to impose on the Bingleys for her care. I chose this type of bonnet rather than a day bonnet because she would be trying to make a good impression.

The bonnet was blocked from a vintage Lucite green colored woven straw hood. It was cut to shape and wired. The wire was covered with cotton binding to smooth the edges and then covered again in a pink grosgrain ribbon all around the edge of the bonnet brim and crown back. All was done with hand stitching.

The lawn cotton lining was prepared with my logo, the lining sides slightly gathered around the edges for a more period appearance, and then was hand stitched into place.

The mauve colored lace was gathered and hand sewn around the edges of the bonnet. To further accent the lace I hand braided a pink trim which resembles beading and sewed this to the center of all the lace.

A pretty pink vintage pico edged ribbon was sewn around the crown and allowed to fall into long ties. More lace and trim was added to the crown ribbon.

The same ribbon was then formed into several large loops and attached to one side of the bonnet. Captured within these loops I placed a large mauve ostrich feather that I double curled so it would softly follow the curve of the bonnet brim.

The final touch was to add a variety of velvet, satin, and silk vintage flowers in all the colors of the bonnet.

The bonnet fits many sizes and is held onto the head with the ribbon ties.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236343825/repoduction-1800s-visiting-bonnet?ref=shop_home_active_1