18th C. Whalebone Bonnets: Reconstructing a Surviving Boned Bonnet

Sunday, March 22nd, 9am - 5pm

“a black sattin bonnet, with whalebone all round” 
1768, Pennsylvania Gazette 

Soft crowned bonnets with stiffened brims were one of several fashionable and practical headwear options that women of all levels of society had in the second half of the 18th century. Many of these bonnets were made from black silk, though other colors and fabrics did appear and some even had their brims stiffened with whalebone. One of the only existing bonnets of this style survives in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg.

This 1 day workshop, led by Brenda Rosseau, will include:

• An exploration of images of this type of accessory, and the various ways it can be finished.

• Examination of the basic components and trim choices.

• Demonstration of all stitching and construction techniques needed to complete your bonnet.

• Exploration of trim types & styles.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a completed or partially completed accessory, a manila (oaktag) pattern, and the skill and knowledge to reproduce this accessory.

Participants will need to supply a yard of their own silk taffeta (generally black though other colors are possible), synthetic boning, and silk sewing thread & silk twist to match their fabric. A full supplies list will be sent after registration. 

This workshop level is Advanced Beginner Level 1. Participants are expected to have hand sewing skills and experience working with silk and silk twist. Please read more about our current Workshop Levels here.

Workshop cost is $150 and includes pattern paper.

Class size will be limited to 12 Participants

*CANCELLATION POLICY

Because of the nature and enrollment limitation of our workshops, we regret that we are unable to give a full refund for a cancellation.  If you cancel 30 or more days prior to the workshop, we will refund your fee less a $30 cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the workshop, we will have to charge the full amount of the workshop unless we are able to fill your slot, in that event you will be charged only the $30 cancellation fee.  In the event of the workshop being cancelled we are not responsible for any costs by the attendee for cancelled reservations.