During Drummer’s Call weekend, my daughter and I took a class with the Colonial Williamsburg Costume Design Center on trimming hats.
I had visions of completing an 18th century hat in my four hour class to wear this especially fun weekend of Drummer’s Call.
Instead I came home with tons of inspiration, directions, samples, and beginnings of a silk covered hat!
Beautiful hats trimmed by the Costume Design Center
When we arrived there were several gorgeous hats on display that the Costume Design Center has made for the interpreters to wear in the historic area.
I took pictures of all my favorites, but my favorite favorites are below.
I love the blues and greens, the tiny flowers, and the ruching.
I love the colors, the cute button, and the gorgeous play of the stripes.
I love the summery feel and the flowers!
After mingling and perusing the trimmed hats, we promptly began the class to squeeze in tons of information in our four hours!
Learning different variations of trims
Opening our bags we found lots of ribbon to create different types of trim, samples and directions for making the various types of trim.
As we learned about each type of trim, the instructor held up some of the display hats to show examples of how that type of trim variation could be used.
Also shown were renderings of period paintings that inspired the display hats.
After making a sample of each type, we pinned it to the direction sheet, which can easily be inserted into a three ring binder when we return home.
This will make a handy reference for future projects!
Learning how to draft our own covered hats
After learning the various types of trims, we learned how to draft our own covered hats.
Collecting our straw hat blank, we also looked through a pile of silk fabrics on the table to choose one for our hat.
After watching a demonstration and receiving instructions for the drafting process, we worked on our own drafts.
By the time class ended, all my pattern pieces were drafted and I had started to cut them out.
Quickly we collected our choice of trim for our hats to coordinate with our silks.
What fun we had with so many luscious options, like we did with the silks!
Meanwhile the instructor asked each of us which trim we wanted to do, so she could tell us how much to cut to take home, including enough length for ties.
For that type of trim, she told me how much to cut, along with enough for ties.
Learning lots in these classes
Now that I have three 18th century sewing classes down, I have greatly expanded my ability to create a historical wardrobe.
Class 1 – I learned the key to historically accurate fabric and hand stitching. (Wow! I can do that!)
Class 2 – I learned how to wrap Dorset buttons and Death Head buttons. (Wow! I can even do those now!)
Class 3 – I learned how to create various types of bags to create accessories for the historical clothing I’m sewing.
Class 4 – I learned how to create historically accurate adornment for ladies’ gowns.
Class 5 – Now I’ve learned how to trim hats to accessorize gowns for myself and my daughter!
Four more classes to go while I improve my historical sewing.
Stay tuned!
