Austen Era Dress-Up Bonnet

This is an easy to make, Jane Austen Era dress up bonnet for you to make for your little girl.

This past week, we were working on an activity for our teen youth group and we needed a Jane Austen-y costume. Emily and I came up with this quick hat that we were very happy with, so I wanted to share it with you.

You will need:

• a 14 1/2 inch round, flexible woven place mat  {I found mine at Sur La Table for $1.99–it looks like a straw hat, and they had multiple colors}

or

• a 14 1/2 brown card board cut out {not corregated–single ply. It worked best with cardboard that is the thickness of poster board.}
• heavy thread and needle {or if in a real hurry, a stapler}
• an arms length of ribbon
• floral accents if desired

To form the hat, simply pinch a “W” into the back pinching about 1″ for each side of the “W”. Secure by sewing with thread or staple it, {making sure that staples are flat side on the inside, so that your child doesn’t get poked with the ends when they wear it.}

Add ribbon over top and secure at the bottom of the hat (near where child’s ears would be) by stitching it in place or stapling.

Add embelishments like ribbon loops or flowers by attatching with thread or stapler.

When it is time for your child to don her bonnet, use bobby pins to secure the back to her hair.

Is this not adorable on my little one? sigh.

Enjoy!