How to Decorate Civil War Hats
Many people today enjoy Civil War reenacting. This hobby often requires people to dress up in Civil War fashion and many times there are dress competitions for women and children at these reenactments. A couple of the most famous women's fashions from the Civil War era were hoop skirts and fancy hats. Purchase as many cotton or silk products as you can find when making your own Civil War hat for a more realistic replica, since polyester was not yet invented. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Straw or felt hat
- Pitcher
- Tulle
- Safety pins
- Scissors
- Thread
- Needle
- Ribbon
- Plumes
Instructions
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1
Set the hat on a pitcher to elevate the hat and help you with arranging the tulle on the front of the hat. Wrap the tulle around the hat so that the ends overlap in the back. Use safety pins to hold the tulle in place so you can arrange the front.
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2
Pull down the tulle in the front of the hat to form a veil. Make sure the tulle covers the face completely and is just slightly snug under the chin.
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3
Test the tulle to see if you can pull it up over the brim of the hat, as this fit will be the most comfortable.
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4
Trim the tulle at the back of the hat with the scissors. Leave plenty of tulle to overlap the ends.
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5
Thread the needle. Pull the upper edge of the tulle tightly around the band of the hat. Whipstitch the tulle at the back of the hat to hold it in place.
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6
Add ribbon to the hat by wrapping a length around the band of the hat. Tie it into a large fancy bow at the back. Leave at least 12-inch tails hanging down.
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Insert plumes into the hat. Insert them behind the ribbon and hand sew in place or insert them through the holes in a straw hat and sew them in place on the inside of the hat. Make sure to lay the ends of the plumes flat so they do not poke the wearer in the head.
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Tips & Warnings
Use black or brown hats for the most authentic results. Use trim for the hat to coordinate with the dress.
Women during the Civil War period often used tulle on their hats to keep out bugs and sun. However, just as it was then, it is now an option. Use more lace, ribbon, plumes or even fake flowers on your hat if you decide to not use the tulle veil.
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Comments
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moxiegrl1944
May 23, 2010
Hats were almost exclusively worn by the young and fashionable during the Civil War Era. Older women may wear a hat at a picnic, the seaside, or other appropriate upper-class outdoor venue, but by an large a slate bonnet for work, and a straw or silk bonnet for best will be much more serviceable than a hat for most impressions.
