Here are some more images of the 1850s bonnet which I crocheted.

It’s a mid to late 1850s style bonnet, revealing more of the forehead than an 1840s bonnet.

It’s inspired by antique lace bonnets – as here, here, and here – as well, as from antique Irish crochet child bonnets – as here, or here.

It’s historically inspired, but not all of it is historically accurate.

First, I crocheted the Irish crochet motifs with white, mercerised cotton thread. Here are some crochet patterns for Irish crochet motifs. Then, I joined them forming the back and crown of the bonnet. Here’s a Victorian book (PDF) about Irish crochet lace.

After that, I crocheted the brim part of the bonnet.

To stiffen the bonnet, I quilted together thick, white terrycloth (from an old bathing gown) and white twill fabric; and covered all with white satin fabric. Then, I handstitched the crochet lace onto the foundation.

I used non-accurate, modern fabric roses and broderie anglaise frills – I hadn’t a more delicate, more appropriate lace at the time – to trim the bonnet.

I like how it looks, even if it’s not 100% historically accurate. And I like that I can fold it to store it; and it still retains its shape.