My Little Darling Blue Bonnet…

Thanks for all your “sweet” comments about the basket I put together for the caregivers who took care of our mom.
I took it to them and you should have seen how big their eyes got when they saw it. There were several hugs given and I didn’t make it out of there without a few tears rolling down my cheeks. They were grateful for some special treats and I was once again thankful for the special care they showed my mom.

I “thought” I knew what fabric I wanted to use for my next doll dress, but I needed to make a piece of the set to be sure. I had bought a new hat mold for my Dianna Effner Little Darlings but hadn’t used it yet.

This is a picture of the hat made from the mold. It’s made by the PNB Doll Company. It had too big of a brim to suit me and I didn’t like the way it hid the dolls face when you looked at her from the side.

I emailed Petite Princess Designs because I had seen what I thought was a similar bonnet, but hers had a smaller brim. Turns out she used the same pattern but modified the brim. She encouraged me to give it a try. So I did… it took me quite a while, but the first try usually does.

I thought maybe you’d like to see how it came about…

Mine probably took 10 or 12 yards of straw. You want to make sure you have a length at least that long. I didn’t cut my straw since this was the first time I had used this bonnet mold. I wanted to make sure I had plenty.

I drew a line and started mine where you see it in the picture. It was supposed to go all the way to where you see the words “tape.” There is at least 1/2″ LESS of the brim.

I did the brim first using shorter pieces and gluing each row to the one below it and working my way upward.

Then I began the crown section trying to make it level as I went around each time. You have to make sure when you get to the top it’s even as you go over that sharp edge.

If you need to go around a curved area, you have to pull up one of threads along the edge of the hat straw. It sort of makes it curl and you can go in a circle in a small area. You go round and round until all you have left is a teeny tiny hole… Then you can cut your straw with about a 2″ or 3″ tail.

Now…this is the scary part… after you have let it set for a few minutes, you have to gently tug at the brim edges to get the bonnet pulled away from the tape you used to hold the first row in place. It feels like it might just pull apart, but it never does.

Whew! Now you can breathe!

Take that little tail and poke your straw through to the inside…and glue it down on the inside, AFTER you have made sure the top of your hat looks smooth. Trim off the piece on the inside and make sure it lays flat.

You can stop there if you like your bonnet, but I like to pull on one of the threads of the straw and have it draw up like this…

Take your glue and dab it just on the edge of your bonnet and attach the ruched up piece to give it a nice finished look.

I drew up enough of the straw and had a little bit left so I decided to decorate the crown just a bit more with 2 rows of the ruched look.

This is the back…

…and a few more shots…

Now, do you want to see the fabric? I wanted to make sure the color of the straw still matched the fabric when I got the bonnet completely done. Sometimes it’s not quite the right shade, but this time it matched very nicely. YAY! This was one of those fabrics I bought last year when a fabric store near me was going out of business. It’s the blue piece on the top of the stack…

I put my bonnet back on the mold, (lightly sitting) to dry overnight. Now it’s waiting to be decorated! My favorite part! :o)

I’ll see what I can accomplish before we meet again.

Have a wonderful weekend.
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne

20 thoughts on “My Little Darling Blue Bonnet…”

  1. Love, Love, love the hat. Would love to try this but just not enough time in the day

    Also love that fabric color. Blue is my favorite color and this blue and pattern is just so perfect

    1. Thanks Lynn,
      Not really enough time in my day either, but I have been wanting to try out this hat mold for several months. I’m glad you like the looks of it.
      Now to get the dress started…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Charlotte Trayer

    The hat is darling, Jeanne–I love how you gathered up the straw to make that ruched-look edging!!

    I was at Expo again today. I only bought …. ONE thing today!! It’s the fabric (a boiled wool blend, washable and dryable) in black) my friend Tonya and I will make our annual “twinsie challenge” garments (jackets–pattern is our own choice_. A bit pricey ($25/yard) but considering the fiber content and labor involved in producing it, it’s not surprising (pure wool content would be more expensive!.

    I took a two more classes–the first on sewing and fitting jacket sleeves, the second on sewing slippers for yourself or someone else. We used the Cuddle fabrics, and there was fuzz all over the place, once we started cutting them out!! I got one of my slippers completely done; I only need to sew the sole on the second slipper, so I can do that when I get home.

    We actually had two “show and tell” sessions in my room tonight–the first with my friends Mary Rose, Kathi and Margaret, the second, a couple of hours later, with Tonya and her friend, who had attended the Friday Night Live event

    I finished hand sewing the new water bottle tote to attach inside my bag for the fashion show tomorrow. I plan to take it partly apart after I get home and resew some of those seams on my machine, but at least it will show what I’m intending for the style show!

    Time for me to hit the hay! Good night!

    1. Thank you Charlotte,
      Thanks for your compliments on my bonnet. I was pleased with this first one too.

      Your time at Expo sounds like so much fun…classes, hands on learning, fun times in your room…with friends…what could be better? Maybe MORE classes.
      Thanks for the update, Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Oh, what a sweet bonnet, Jeanne! What I’d give to be able to make one of those! I absolutely love the soft blue, one of my favorites, and love the way you made a ruched ruffle to dress it up! I’m wondering what kind of glue do you use? I don’t see any glue laying around, maybe that one pencil thing in one of the pictures? How do you keep glue from showing?

    I love the sweet fabric you have picked for the dress too! This is going to be a springtime delight when it gets finished!! I can see Isabelle holding tiny yellow chicks and a basket of flowers while wearing this pretty dress! Monday can’t come soon enough!!

    1. Hi Linda,
      I bought glue when I bought the mold, but when I ran out, I just used some Aleen’s Quick dry Tacky glue. You ust put a tiny drop on the edge of each row, so the idea is to NOT have any glue show.
      I like the words you used…Springtime Delight…and might use them as the title.
      Thanks Linda
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. What has already been said I shall repeat “love, love, love” the hat and the ruched trim is just beautiful. The blue fabric could not have been more perfect. My one and only regret is that it will not fit my Felicity. Looking forward to seeing your creation come to life. Also after watching your step by step process, it makes me want to make a hat almost. I do not have a mold or the straw or whatever else you might need.

    1. Thank you for your sweet compliments, Laureen. One of my American Girl dolls will be up soon, so just enjoy “this” smaller hat and then maybe I’ll make one in a larger size…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Love the hat. Your idea of making a smaller brim is perfect. I’m sure the mold was made with sun protection in mind, but I do think the LD’s prefer being able to see clearly. 🙂 The ruched edge and additional decor are lovely. Definitely made by a professional. I’m curious about the tape. Where it says tape, do you use a two sided tape to hold that first row? I know you made your design with the shorter brim, but I’m having trouble figuring out how extra glue wouldn’t stick the hat to the form. Could the whole form be covered with plastic wrap or something? And it looks like one would have to do the whole hat in one go. Is that the case? Thanks so much for sharing the lovely new hat. And the fabric looks so pretty.
    Glad to hear that the basket was a hit. I’m sure it was greatly appreciated.

    1. Hi Joy,
      I’ve seen several of these bonnets made up with the wider brim and really like it with the narrower look.
      Yes, Joy, there is double sided tape stuck to the mold for the first row. It’s super thin tape and sticks to the glazed mold, and slightly sticks to the sraw, but when you pull it away from the mold, the tape stays on the mold and not on the edge of the hat.
      The glue is put on using very tiny dots just along the upper edge of each row. Sometimes when you pull the hat off, it sort of sticks in few places, but pops off fairly easily. You just have to dainty and careful when applying the glue on the edges.
      Because of the glaze on the mold, the hats come off nicely.
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Good morning Jeanne,
    I knew your basket would be a hit with everyone. You are just so sweet and thoughtful!
    I love this hat, it’s adorable! I think the modification you made is perfect for her little face. Lovely fabric choice, light blue is a favorite of mine. I’m excited to see more.
    Charlotte is having way to much fun and I’m jealous. It reminds me of my days in school. One semester spent tailoring a blazer… my teacher was a perfectionist. I learned much from her. The bound buttonhole! My nemesis! LOL I did master it five down the front three on each sleeve, got an A+ Wish I still fit that blazer. Charlotte good fabric choice, I have a black boiled wool jacket it’s a go to favorite.
    Lots of snow here, more than we’ve seen all season, yikes! This year we joined the “we’re to old the shovel team” We hired a plow guy, best money we’ve spent in a long time. Hes been here 6 times in two days. Love it!
    Enjoy your weekend everyone
    Hugs
    Ingrid

    1. Thank You Ingrid,
      Emmie thinks her new bonnet is adorable too!
      The blue fabric and bonnet should really make Emmie’s blue eyes pop.
      I think I still have my wool jacket from my tailoring class in college with the bound buttonholes in it. I might have to search for it and check out mine. :o)
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Dorothy in PA and the World

    Dear Jeanne, I love this little bonnet. You make it look so easy to create but I can see that it takes great skill to put it together just right. The material is very pretty.

    Some Little Darling is going to have the prefect outfit for the Easter Parade. She just doesn’t know it yet (chuckle).

    1. Hi Dorothy,
      I should count up how many straw hats I’ve made until now. I’m guessing maybe 15 -18…
      Every time I make one, I seem to learn something new.
      I’m glad you like it and I can’t wait to see which Little Daring will be wearing it.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. That is my favorite style of bonnet🤗 The blue straw is a beautiful shade and the fabric with it is sooo sweet! Little darlings always look good in hats of all kinds.
    Your treat basket made a hit! I can’t imagine how much fun the staff had with it.
    Hope Charlotte shows us her jacket pattern…sounds awesome.
    Going to be in the 60’s in Omaha today. Lots of windows open to let the fresh air in. I know if it would rain the grass would green up😉
    Enjoy the weekend!

    1. Thank you Kathie,
      I’m glad you like the blue bonnet and fabric choice. I hope it comes together quickly.
      I think we are supposed to be in the 60’s tomorrow too…yippee!
      Enjoy your Sunday,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Just need to say, sooo glad you’re back! Nothing like a Jeanne post to start the day right.
    Can’t wait to see more.

  10. Adorable! It has a very Regency look to it, so sweet. The ruching on the crown and brim is lovely. Blue is my favorite color as well. When I go to the garden store I always hone in on the blue flowers. Can’t wait to see more of the sweet Easter dress.

    1. Hi Laura,
      I think the bonnet looks pretty Regency-like too. I can’t wait until it’s decorated.
      Thank you for your kind comments,
      Blessings, Jeanne

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