I need help!

[rebel yell]

Ladies or Gentlemen,
I want to get an authentically made bonnet, for the prettiest southern belle I have ever met.:D Do y'all know of a place I can get one already made? Thanks!

[EmmanuelDabney]

I see that Linda Gray has a couple of completed fashion bonnets for sale through Glenna Jo Christen's mercantile: http://home.earthlink.net/%7Egchristen/Strawbon.html

If those do not suit your needs you may wish to go with Lynette Miller (www.bonnets.com) or Christine Ballard (MrsBonnets@aol.com) and have her make one for your lady as you (or she) sees fit.

Stay far away from:

1. General sutler row quality felt pressed bonnets. Wrong shape, wrong materials. Just plain wrong for late 1850s-1865 wear.

2. Unnatural materials. Rayons, nylons, polyester=wrong. Straw bonnets are good for the warm season. Silks and velvets for fashionable or cold times.

3. Underdecorated bonnets. Take a look at the following images for bonnets of the period:

Mrs. Charles Keen: http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpbh/01400/01427v.jpg

Miss Chesney:
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpbh/03000/03057v.jpg

Princess Vicky and Frederick of Prussia (1858):
http://www.btinternet.com/~sbishop100/vicky6.jpg

Good luck!

[rebel yell]

I thank you Emmanuel for the info!:D BTW that was a good article you wrote in the CWH a while back.

[Euphemia]

Mrs. Parker's Millinery and Mercantile makes some very nice straw and silk bonnets. http://www.victorianbonnets.com/

I myself own a Miller's Millinery drawn bonnet and love it to pieces.

[southern_belle1861]

Try Timely Tresses (www.timelytresses.com)

[rebel yell]

I thank you all for your suggestions, as my knowledge of the subject is limited. I know they look real pretty on ladies when they wear them!:D

[toptimlrd]

www.sewlongago.com

Shoot her a note of what you are looking for and she can likely help you out. I know she is a bit busy but well worth the wait.