Tutorial-Cora's Hair and Bonnet

I look forward to creating my dolls hair.  I try

very had to use period appropriate styles. 

  Whether the pioneer created hair similar to mine

 I couldn't say but, I did read an account from a pioneer

girls diary, that described the doll her mother had

made for her.  She describes her dolly's hair as wool

yarn pulled from an old sweater that was plaited

into beautiful braids. I have to think a doll's hair was as

important to the early doll makers, as it is to me.

Many of the early settlers that came to this

part of the Ozark mountains were Scotch Irish.

My sister has the most luxurious naturally

wavy auburn hair as proof.  Surely a home made

Ozark dolly or 2 had red wool hair!

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Cora's auburn hair is flattened over the ears and

pulled back into 2 coiled plaited buns on the back

of her head. Oh, so mid 1800's stylish!

 To create Cora's hair I used

hand dyed wool yarn,  

plaited

coiled & sewn

into a bun with doubled matching thread.

The interior.

I made two buns & 2 small balls of wool roving.

They will go underneath the coils to give

them some stability.

I started by sewing a single strand of

yarn at the front center of Cora's head.  The
yarn hung about 6 inches on each side. I sewed a
single stitch using the same yarn threaded onto a
large needle with a large eye.
 I continued sewing rows with a single stitch
(basically a back stitch)
 until I reached the mid way point at the back
of her head.

I then pulled it to the side and twisted it.  I made

a few stitches (with coordinating thread)
underneath and at the back to secure it.

The side front view.

I used a curved needle with double thread

to stitch the coils down.

I pinned them in place.

Stitching each coil until it was very secure.

This is Cora's simple straw spoon bonnet.

It's functionally lined with muslin & ties

with a green silk ribbon. Cora's doesn't want her

coiffed hair getting stuck in the straw plaiting. 

She has all the proper under garments,

pantalettes with pin tucks, a lace edged

petticoat, and chemise with flat felled

seams and gussets.

I also added a tiny hand crocheted lace collar to

Cora's dress.  I have a wonderful lady friend,

that crochets all the lace and shawls for my dolls.

She's in her seventies and still hand quilts, knits,

and crochets.  Her hand work is just beautiful.

 Much to my dolls delight & mine!

After many enjoyable hours of sewing and

taking photos she is finally done!

(I may do a touch more aging)

I hope in some small way

these "how to" posts have helped

 to make your hand sewing experience

 more pleasurable!

Happy Sewing!