Period Reproduction Buckram Hats

Book excerpt: Whether you’re in a professional or a community theatre, part of a historical re-enactment, or teaching costume construction, a well-made hat provides a much-needed finishing touch to a costume. Period Reproduction Buckram Hats: The Costumer’s Guidebook is your one-stop resource for learning how to recreate historically accurate buckram hats. Each chapter is devoted to the construction of a particular hat, beginning with a historical image and followed by an list of the exact amount of fabric, tools, and materials needed and the estimated time to complete the construction. Every chapter contains a brief historical background on each hat, a pattern, step-by-step instructions, process photographs, and ideas for altering the pattern to fit your unique production. This book not only provides instruction for the exacting reproduction of historic hats, but it also guides and encourages you to alter patterns and techniques to create your own designs. The final chapters outline general millinery principles that can be applied to almost any hat, allowing you to customize your project.