Remember when I was searching the other day for something to use as a hat mold because I was wanting to make a teeny tiny straw bonnet for Ten Ping? Usually you just buy a hat mold in resin or plaster of paris to wrap your hat straw around. Well, I didn’t have a hat mold for the circumference of Ten Ping’s head, so I set out to try and find something… I was looking for a bottle or a piece of pottery or a glass or a cap off something, and not having much success. I finally looked in my measuring cups and found 2 things that I thought might work.
One was a small Anchor Hocking measuring glass that ended up being what I used for Ten Ping’s bonnet. It had a rounded bottom that made it easy to go up the sides and finish off the crown of the bonnet. It worked well, but I thought maybe I’d like to try the measuring cup because it had kind of “flared out” sides to it. I thought maybe that might cup the back of the head better.
So I tried making another bonnet using the measuring cup and actually remembered to take a few pictures this time.
This is when I was wrapping the hat straw around the measuring cup. It went around pretty easily and up over the bottom of the cup without any troubles. It made a nice crown, (once I got it pryed off the measuring cup.)
The crown section looks like a little cake. Then I did use my hat mold for the Little Darlings bonnets and just made my brim smaller. I penciled it in on the mold and followed my lines. It was pretty simple.
So I ended up with 2 pieces… the crown and the brim…
Next I had to do a little playing around with it to get the bonnet brim to tip up just a bit… Then it gets glued in place.
I ruched up a piece of the straw for the edge of the brim and also added a piece across the top where the seam is that holds the brim to the crown.
So I’m not sure if you can see the difference, but this is the best way I could show you… here are the two bonnets…the cream one is made using the straight sided Anchor Hocking glass measuring cup… (Just the bottom part of the glass) and the tan bonnet is made using the measuring cup with the sides that flare out just slightly.
I thought maybe we’d have a bonnet fashion show today… and I had several girls on my dolly shelf who raised their hands saying they’d like to give the bonnet a try… and see if it fit their head. I had quite a few takers!
This is what the bonnet looks like on 10″ Patsy Tonner.
This is 10″ Trixie Tonner, one of Patsy’s friends…they are the same size, but I wanted to show you what it looked like on her as well.
Holly is a 10.5″ Boneka doll. She has very dainty features.
Next up is my 10″ Boneka doll named Noel.
16″ Ellowyne wanted to have a try at modeling the bonnet.
Elin is my 10″ Iplehouse doll…
And last up is 8″ Ten Ping wearing this bonnet. It’s slightly large on her, but if she had on a fuller wig, it might work.
Well, there you have it, a semi bonnet tutorial and a heads-only fashion show! :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
What fun, to see how you made this latest bonnet, and to see it on a variety of dolls. I think it looks/fits best on your Boneka dolls, at least as far as I can see.
I keep thinking maybe I should get some of that hat straw and forms, and try my own hand at making hats….but do I really Need one more hobby right now?!
HI Charlotte,
The bonnet does fit the Boneka dolls very well… and for some reason it fits Patsy better than Trixie… must be the thickness of the doll wig.
Don’t we ALL need one more hobby? Although right now might be a good time to give it a whirl!
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
What sweet pictures, Jeanne! I love both bonnets, and was wondering why you didn’t try them on Betsy McCall, then just remembered you are showing the hat on 10 inch dolls. Bummer! So I guess she is the next size up, along with LD dolls? Do you sew or glue the ribbon?
I would think Holly is a LD doll! How is she different from them, since I don’t see it?
Another nice day here, and I am getting outside and getting the yard cleaned up finally!
HI Linda,
I debated about trying the bonnet on Betsy, but the one I have has such a thick wig, there is no way it would ever fit on her head. Betsy is more in line with the Little Darlings…when I make another bonnet the LD size, I’ll try it on Betsy… Poor thing…standing over in the corner and not getting to try one on! :o(
The ribbon is glued on with tiny dots on the edge of the straw.
Holly is one of the Boneka dolls, but I think she must be a Monday’s Child or Thursday’s Child doll…. they are 1/2″ taller than my Noel doll. Noel is a Tuesday’s Child doll…just slightly more petite.
It’s pretty here too… we are working in our yard too…
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, thank you for the bonnet ideas, you are so creative. I have made several straw hats for LD”s on a mold I got from Nellie at MDCC. I would love to trim the edge like you do, making scallops. How do you do that? Another turtorial, please?
Thanks!
HI Sissy,
I just wrote down your question about the ruching the straw…I’ll try to get some pictures to show you…it’s super easy.
Thank you,
Blessings, Jeanne
Like Sissy, I love how you add that ruched edging to your hats. Really is a nice finishing touch. The shape of the cream first hat is my favorite though.
So what’s next? Cabinet painting? Looks like the weather will be warm the rest of the week, so hopefully we can get some yard work accomplished. 🙂
HI Joy,
I have been wanting to get to my cabinets VERY badly! I was going to do it a week or so ago and something else came up…rats! I’m closer to doing it than I was…
But… we are going to pick up an antique armoire for Rebecca today…the flooring came in for her room, and last week we got the paint for her room. Her room is apple green and she’s ready for a change. She’s really excited to get it all pulled together.
Thanks, Jeanne
Add me to the list of loving the ruching to the bonnet. Very clever to use things around the house as molds.
Now, Holly? who’s Holly?? When did you get her??? I really like that bonnet on Noel. it seems to go beautifully with her complexion.
I can’t help but think a bonnet like that would be gorgeous on Caroline or Marie- Grace. Not that I can buy one now, but are hat molds made large enough for the AG’s?
I bought three of those straw hat bases from Thimbles and Acorns a few years ago when Shari had them She accidentally filled my order twice, but only charged me for one set. When I contacted her to point out the error she said she had been on vacation and to enjoy the extra set on her. What a blessing!
HI Laura,
Now, I’ve been looking for more things I can use as molds for different size hats.
Holly is a 10 1/2″ Boneka doll sent to me by one of my dear doll dress customers. She stands patiently on the shelf most of the time. I should use her more often…
I thought I had seen a hat mold for the AG dolls, but I’m not sure now… maybe I should check it out…
I love those Colonial Straw hats too… and only have a few left. What a great blessing to get double what you ordered!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, what fun! I have never attended a hat fashion show before. All of the models were adorable as they “walked” down the runway.
Thanks for showing how you made the hats. I like that you look around for things and find just what works.
HI Dorothy,
I’m glad you enjoyed the hat showing… were you on the front row watching? I think I saw you! :o)
Now that I’ve seen I can use other things besides a hat mold, I’ve been searching and looking for all kinds of things to use for them.
Thanks so much!
Blessings, Jeanne
Cute hats on cute dolls. That was a fun fashion show! Thanks Jeanne!
HI Julia,
I’m glad you enjoyed the show! My girls loved it too! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Those hats are amazing. Both crowns look really nice… I may try to do one…I think I have some of that straw somewhere. All the rows are so even…do you hold them in place until the glue dries? What kind of glue do you use?
Yes, please show us how you change the shape of the straw for the trim.
They look so professional!
HI Kathie,
Thanks for your kind compliments on the hats…
I use Aleen’s Tacky glue for the hats… just tiny drops along the edges hold it in place. I use the quick dry glue… maybe it’s called Turbo quick or something like that. It really grabs the straw nicely and holds it well enough to lift it off when you are done.
I’ll show how to do the ruching…
Blessings, Jeanne
These little bonnets are so pretty. Do you ever sell the bonnets as 1 item???
Hi Lynn,
I am really considering making and selling the bonnets… they are fun to make and decorate and add so much cuteness to any dress.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Loved the “bonnet parade” You make it look easy, but I know it’s not. Not with aged arthritic fingers anyway. The trimmings are lovely.
I vote for Holly, she looks very sweet. I think she needs an Easter dress.
Stay safe.
Hi Jane,
So nice to hear from you… Did anyone pull any April Fool’s jokes on you? I hope not!
I’m glad you liked the Bonnet parade. My girls did too! They didn’t even have to get dressed up… just from the neck up! :o)
Holly does need an Easter dress. I don’t think I have ever featured her… :o(
Blessings, Jeanne