Buckram Blanks

[Miss Waterman]

If this has already been gone over, I apologize, I am new after-all.

I am searching for someone who can make and sell blanks of various hat styles (stovepipe bonnets, other kids of regency bonnet, and/or hats; i.e. the shako style of hat seen in Emma), I can easily COVER a blank but as for working with the buckram itself I would happily rather drink Hemlock.

Thank you all!

[dawnluckham]

Truly, Miss Waterman, the buckram is not so difficult to work with!

If you go to all the trouble to nicely cover a bonnet blank you might as well get the basic bonnet just as you wish. Sewing the covering is as difficult as any part of buckram manipulation.

The buckram is hand sewn pattern pieces as any other sewing project is. (A zig-zag sewing machine can be used to attach hat wire to the brim, if you wish.) The only *tricky* part – and it’s not very tricky at all – is fine tuning the shape with steam. One can use a steam iron or a kettle – holding the buckram over the staem and then shaping with fingers.


I’m a little foggy if we’ve brought up potential bonnet patterns before. Steph, our own “All Seeing”, has a pattern that can be purchased on etsy.

Timely Tresses sells kits and patterns: timelytresses.com/Timely%20Tresses/patterns.html

Lynn McMasters has some lovely patterns. This is the one I love, but there are other options: www.lynnmcmasters.com/early19Cbonnet.html

And finally Miller’s Millinary sells finished bonnets, “bonnet foundations”, patterns and kits. She has a new early 19th century pattern (She’s got it dated 1819): bonnets.com/bonnet.html


Most of these patterns will explain what you need to know.

[Izodiea]

I don't know of anyone who makes frames, at least not for the same price range as you can buy them pre-made. Are you looking for some-one to supply Maggies-Bonnets?

Hats by Leko has the biggest selection I know of www.hatsupply.com/historical.htm

[Miss Waterman]

If you please, I found very little enjoyment in working with the Buckram which I certainly have and often, for different styles of bonnets and hats, and have found covering a blank much easier than working with the buckram, but I suppose it is an opinion based subject.

I am not looking for anything for the Bonnetarium, just my own personal use - I am taking a hiatus from the hat and bonnet comissions. I will look at this link you sent me, thank you!

[dawnluckham]

I hope you'll find what you're looking for.

[Mrs. Goblin]

I'm sorry that I'm a year behind on this. Miss Waterman, have you looked at the available stock at Lacis? (lacis.com) They have a selection of buckram shapes, including several bonnets and a couple different hat styles. I don't see a stovepipe shako (which is what I'm looking for at the moment) but I see a number of hats that look like the right or nearly right shape.