My sage silk covered hat with cream organza trim and pearls

18th century hat trimming class with the Costume Design Center in Colonial Williamsburg

In other words, I learned how to trim hats as a milliner would.

After learning all the basics, we took our projects and supplies home to complete in our own time.

Now that I’m coming up for air from sewing homeschool costumes, and hand sewing historically accurate clothing, I decided to squeeze in a little sewing for me.

So far I’ve taken seven of the various sewing classes from the Costume Design Center, for their 75th anniversary.

After perusing my projects from the sewing classes, I decided to finish covering a straw hat blank with silk, which I began in class.

Finding the patterns I had started drafting, I picked up where I left off.

A few hours later, I had a covered hat!

Then it was a matter of deciding how to trim it.

While my notes referenced many options, I also had many supplies from the class.

I also found some faux pearls in my stash and I got carried away!

As I was ruching the ribbon, I kept laying it down to help the kids with lunch.

They’ve been cooking and cleaning the kitchen for me this week, as I try to conquer several costumes.

I don’t know if it really saves me time though because I get odd questions such as: Mom, what does it mean when the butter starts smoking?

Given the menu I had them make, why in the world would butter smoke???

After conquering bunt butter, I returned to ruching creamy organza ribbon.

A few hours later, my hat was complete!

I made the cute little ribbon flower last April, when I took a fly fringe class with the Costume Design Center.

Not originally part of the lesson plans, guest questions caused the instructor to create a quick extension project for us.

Sage green, cream organdy, pearls…my favorites.

We had to laugh because my closet is full of this combination, as well as some costumes.

Now that I finally have a bit of 18^th century attire, my son expects me to wear it.

Time to find fabric for a gown!