1880s Bustle Era Hat Online Class
Get access to this class in an unlimited, work-on-your-own-schedule format.
You’ve taken the leap and started your bustle hat. But you’re screaming HELP! Wouldn’t it be great to be part of a group that’s working through the same hat project you are and get help and feedback on your work?
Stop wishing- this is the workshop for you!
Open workshop in a year-round format
Through a private workshop group setting, we’ll discuss the lessons students are completing in the online class. Personalized instructor assistance, peer feedback, and additional tips & tools will be shared in the workshop.
This workshop is for intermediate-level crafters. Through discussion you’ll learn how to complete each step but you should understand basic sewing techniques including hand sewing stitches like the whip and stab stitch.
The priority of this hat workshop is to offer a group setting to discuss class lessons and understanding how a buckram frame hat goes together. Once you understand the basics of putting a frame together and covering it, you’ll be able to tackle other hat and bonnet designs. 🙂
Together we’ll focus on the specific topic of making a buckram frame hat project so we can saturate the knowledge and improve our millinery skills. We’ll explore the various parts of hats from the 1870s and 1880s including the varying crown height and shaped brim and that most important of all – trimmings!
“Thank you so much for this class. I’ve made a few hats in the past but I appreciated your tutorials and lesson plans: they really expedited the process.” ~Gailynne B.
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“Jennifer, you have to be detailed when writing sewing instructions…. One of the reasons my project is coming out so successfully is that you write very detailed instructions.” ~Diane Ullman
Detailed Sewing Lessons:
Lesson 1: Discuss millinery supplies & tools, pattern selection, hat designs, recommended fabrics, & possible trim ideas
Lesson 2: Cutting buckram and fabrics; applying millinery wire; forming the crown section
Lesson 3: Adding a mull layer to the frame; covering the crown and brim sections with fabric
Lesson 4: Joining the crown to brim; adding trims; adding a lining; tips for wearing your new hat
Although making a buckram hat can seem quite complicated, we’ll walk through each step in detail so you know exactly what to do. This workshop class will only discuss what students are learning in their lessons.
You get to choose which decade you want to make: Early Bustle 1870s or Late Bustle 1880s. Or make a hat that works for both!
“I’ve made one buckram foundation hat to date. I did it but when I had a question there was no one to go to. Thanks to you, Jennifer, and your online 1880s hat tutorial, I watch the videos, do the work, refer back to the videos if needed and move forward to create with confidence. It’s like having my very own personal instructor by my side! Love it!!” ~Joy F.
Valuable Skills & Techniques You’ll Learn:
- Fabrics specifically recommended for 19th C. millinery projects
- How to sew wire to buckram by both hand and machine
- Why you should add a mull layer to your hat frame
- Cutting buckram the easy way
- Learning how & why to use a thimble
- How to get the tip to fit into the formed crown section
- How to cover a hat frame with fabric
- Working with a curved needle
- Types of trims & their placement suitable for late Victorian hats
- How to apply trims to hats
- Tips for how to wear a bustle hat including hairstyles
“Thank you so much Jennifer for all the time and effort you put into the presentation of your lessons. I think the best part is how accessible you are to us for questions and the encouragement and support we get from the facebook group is great.” ~Karen Helle
“I tried to make the hat on my own, following the pattern instructions. Your class made the difference between a costume and an historical hat which I can now wear with pride. I can’t recommend your classes enough.” ~Becky Millinger
If you have sewing experience but are new to millinery, you will feel quite comfortable here. The class is designed for those who know very little about hat making. We’ll be following the pattern instructions a bit but also other techniques learned over the instructor’s personal hat making experiences. You should be able to keep up with the class just fine.
If you are new to sewing or crafting, you are most welcome. However, you may need to rely on the glue rather than the hand stitching more often throughout the steps. Challenge yourself to something new!
If you are advanced in your sewing skills and have made/attempted hats before, you are welcome! Your experiences will provide depth to the class and give you accountability for your next hat project. We’re here to push you forward. 🙂
No matter your skill level, we all have methods we can share with each other. Bring yours along to the class for full participation.
“Huge thanks to you, Jennifer. Very well done. This has been a great class and my skill level overall has improved because of it. ~Amy Osterholm
Enroll in class today and start that beautiful hat!
Includes private training, access to instructor, and connection with other Victorian costumers!
Please note: pattern & supplies are NOT included in workshop fee.
Be part of this exciting program of online Historical Sewing classes! Take your costuming skills to a higher level. I’ll see you soon!
Cheers!
Jennifer Rosbrugh
No refunds will be given for workshop classes. Please read our full Terms of Service here.
Jennifer Rosbrugh, DBA HistoricalSewing.com, is an affiliate of Amazon.com.
Woohoo! Signed up and really looking forward to this. I have a bustle dress in the works but no clue how to make a hat to go with it, so this class showed up at the perfect time! From what I’ve heard you’re an excellent teacher, and I suspect that having the rest of the group around to encourage will be awesome… I’m a horrible procrastinator.
I love that you’re so excited! 😀 Yes, the group really helps push you. And all my students inspire ME to start new projects. It’s a Win-For-All!
I was wondering if I started this a week late could I catch up.? I’ll be out of town on vacation the week of March 3rd. Thanks
Of course! All remaining class lessons will be released on March 3, 2014. They will remain available until the end of April which gives you plenty of time to complete your project. 🙂
I am going to sign up for this class. I believe I will be able to do this one. Things have settled down here a lot. I am going over the past lesson to try to do that one also. I would like to do a hat that will go with Victorian style dress, without a bustle is that possible? One that could be worn at night.
Off to register for the class.
Beverly
In my research hats were not worn at night; headwear of some sort of course, but not hats. Several pattern options are given and if you want to deviate from the main class patterns you are free to do so. Many of the class modules will translate well to other styles.
Do you make hats for the colonial period? Also where are you located?
Judy Miller
Volunteer/Banneker Museum (Catonsville, MD)
Hi Judy,
I do not make hats to sell and have a colonial hat I purchased and re-trimmed. I’m in California.
Jennifer, I didn’t plan to take this class. I want to make another bustle dress for use at DragonCon and the only hat I use as the Queen is her little mourning bonnet, usually trimmed with her iconic Small Crown.
However, there’s a number of good reasons why I need to take it: You’re a great teacher. You know your subject, you give real help, and you give every question the same amount of respect and consideration. Besides, I do play other characters. Hats down through the ages may have different designs but they have much the same fundamental construction. 16th and 18th century men’s and women’s hats have many of the same design features.
And, of course, I just enjoy taking your classes.
However, since I’m going to be mostly occupied with making all the things I’ve already learned, I won’t have time to actually make a hat. I’ll be mostly just watching. and learning. This class is primarily be gift for Bob. He will be the primary student. Therefore I must ask two things of you: Can recommend a men’s hat pattern that he can make? Also, he will need to join in on the FB page. He’s not going to be a problem. He’s much less disruptive than I am.
Please let me know if there will be any problem.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the classes Diane!
I would have Bob look at the hat patterns by Lynn McMasters. She covers a wide range of eras for her hats and I’m sure there will be something he likes from her line. I can list more specific ones in the FB group. Also, please email me contact email info for your gift so Bob can receive class emails and follow the instructions to be added to the Facebook group. Thanks.
Which hat are we making for this class? You have several styles on this page. > thanks
T
The pattern options will be open to a few appropriate for either Bustle decade. The main patterns for the class will be Truly Victorian 550 and 551.