Dolly's Handmade Straw Bonnet

I thought it would be fun to show you

how I made this little bonnet.

I started with a bonnet mold from

PNB Doll CO.  They have lots of molds

in all shapes and sizes.

They sell Swiss hat braid in several

colors. They also sell kits that come

with wonderful directions.

Here is a link to their store.

PNB Doll Co

However,

I have several Italian straw bonnets in a natural color

that are just too large for the dolls I make.............so,

I decided to dye a couple tan, take them apart and make

a different bonnet.  Oh, how I love to

Make Do!
This is a great sight with links to doll supplies too.
This link is to the page that sells Italian straw,
I have purchased, since I published this post.
Look around her site.
Judith M Inc 

 These are the materials I needed to get started.

Mold

Glue

Straw

Double sided tape

Scissors

Thread (matches hat color)

Needle & bee's wax (keeps your thread from tangling)

I used glue from PNB Doll. It dries

fast, clear and is flexible.

 I intended to hand sew the entire

hat to make it more sturdy for child's play

so, I used the glue sparingly.

I started by placing the double stick tape
around the base of the mold, this will
 help keep the straw secure.

 I placed 1 row of straw at the mark

indicated on the side of the mold. (the mold is

marked on both sides) I added a thin row

of glue to the inner side of

the braid.

Then added another row of braid over lapping the

first row about 1/2.  Cutting the strip

at an angle on the end.

I continued adding several rows.

 As I added rows, I spread the ends out.  This

spreading allowed the direction of the rows

to curve toward the back.

 To make the hat come out even, I
overlapped the rows to the front more. 

I continued adding until the rows

met in the back.

 I started with a new row, coiling around,
 no longer cutting the braid.

 I continued coiling, gluing, overlapping

 and pressing down.

When I reached the middle, I left a small hole.

I cut the straw about 1 inch long and tucked it
 through the hole to the inside of the hat. 

 I glued this down.

This is what the hat looked like.

I carefully removed the hat from the mold.

 Trimmed the edges with my scissors.

I put the hat back on the mold, added

a bead of glue all around the top

of the outer edge & added 1 row

of straw matching in the back.

I cut the braid so it matches neatly.

I did the same to the inside

of the hat.

 I added another row to the
outside of the hat. This made a
nice finished look to the
bonnet.

At this point I hand stitched

the entire hat. The hat is done,

ready to be embellished!

These are items used I used 

to decorate the dolly's bonnet.

Floral tape

Wire cutters

Velvet leaves (cut down into tiny leaves)

Vintage composition berries

vintage spun cotton mushrooms

Velvet flowers

Thread and needle

Silk ribbon

Some scissors too!

More decorations than I needed
but I wanted plenty to choose from!
I started by attaching the ribbon

to the front of the bonnet,

sewing it down.

 The doll that was going to wear this

 bonnet had pigtails. I attached the ribbon
 ties low to the back of the hat, so the

bow could be tied close to her neck
and not interfere with her braids.

I then added small loops, folding up the ribbon

and sewing them down.

 I had plenty of this ribbon so I

added another loop to both sides.
(I refuse to waste even 1/2 in of silk ribbon)

I chose several flowers, berries, 1

 mushroom and wrapped them

 together with the floral tape.

I sewed this bouquet to the center top

of the bonnet.

The bonnet is done!

You might be wondering why I would

add red berries to this hat. Matching is really

a modern concept! Besides, I like to

make do with what I have! 

This was a fun project.  A special

hat for a special doll.

The work was tiny and a bit tedious,

but well worth the effort!

This is a wonderful book by Denise Dreher.  

I purchased it when I was doing reenacting. 

 Here is a link to her site.

From The Neck Up