1840s bonnets: close round the face in a ‘horseshoe’-shape; from the side view a long, rather straight bonnet shape; ‘coal scuttle bonnet’ (original 1840s bonnet); sometimes the brim and crown piece are still constructed of two pieces (1840s bonnet) Continue reading Victorian Bonnet Timeline 1840-1869
At the moment I try to make myself a mid-1850s bonnet with paper from scratch. Continue reading Victorian Bonnet Shape Paper Mock-up
In the Victorian era, sunbonnets were worn outdoors to protect the face and dress from the sun. Because a white complexion was fashionable, subonnets were worn by ladies in the garden (straw hats were only worn at the seaside, in the country, or by young girls), as well as working women during field work. The brim of sunbonnets was often corded or strengthened with slats. Sunbonnets could be made either from printed or plain fabric. Continue reading Handsewn Victorian Cotton Sunbonnet
I’m wearing my black wool bodice and skirt, a paisley shawl (here’s a picture of an 1840s dress with shawl, and of an 1850s and 1860s paisley shawl), a starched cotton batiste and lace collar, my antique victorian brooch, brown leather gloves, and my DIY 1840s black bonnet trimmed with a pink satin ribbon. The skirt is supported by four cotton petticoats. Continue reading 1840s Walking Dress
A couple of years ago I crocheted an Victorian Irish crochet lace bonnet. It’s a mid to late 1850s style bonnet, revealing more of the forehead than an 1840s bonnet. Continue reading 1850s Irish Crochet Lace Bonnet