Straw Bonnet Advice

[tess]

I don't shop well alone.

Could I solicit some sage advice from those with more experience?

I am working on bonnet/hat ideas. I have a shallow crown straw hat that I am going to add ribbon to to pull the sides down like this image from Jessamyn's site: i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj289/Contessa_021/Regency/amydressandhat.jpg

Then I found another thrift store hat with a taller crown. Both of my hats, BTW, are 18" wide (brim-I hope I'm getting the terms correct!).

What I'm thinking now is trying to make the taller crowned straw hat into a bonnet something like one of these: i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj289/Contessa_021/Regency/londonelinor.jpg

i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj289/Contessa_021/Regency/plumelinor.jpg

Sooo....my question is, "Does anyone know how difficult it would be to trim the back out of my straw hat and cover the cut edges to make it into a bonnet?
In trying it on, I can pull it into the shape I want. I'm tempted to dive in and start cutting, then edge the cut portions in ribbon with my glue gun. What I don't want to happen is for the straw to fray or the stitching to start to unravel.

Any experience with this? I've read over the stove pipe project (fabulous by the way!) and I'm still unsure.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[Mme de Beaufort]

Tess,

Allow me to refer you to this post:
regencysa.proboards59.com/index.cgi?board=sundries&action=display&thread=1201630351

It details two such bonnets that I made with the same 18" straw hat with the deeper crown. Be sure to scroll down past the tan bonnet to the project below, it is very detailed in pictures and description of the project.

They are infinitely easier to do than the stovepipe that i made. But I'm experimental by nature, so I tend to try new things as much as possible.

[tess]

Thank you so much! That is just what I was looking for. I couldn't find that information when I searched the site. Sorry!

[Mme de Beaufort]

What are you apologizing for? Silly Tess. You're welcome. The post hadn't been touched in so long, it was bumped all the way onto the second page of the accessories board. Not an easy find.

I have no idea what search terms would have brought it up. We use the word 'bonnet' so many times, it would probably bring up ten billiion threads.

:::hee:::

Don't worry... referring you was no skin off my back, trust me. I was glad to do it (I'm always glad to brag about my bumbling projects).