Too many bonnets!

My persona will be a mature woman, former schoolteacher, traveling with the army and recording the war and her impressions. Work dresses, etc., sensible shoes/boots, yeah. But what for my head? Too many conflicting opinipns out there! She is not destitute by any means, but she is practical. Regular sunbonnet? My reenactment "debut" will be at Shiloh this March/April... too soon for straw hats. But there will be a civilian town set up, and she would like one non-sun bonnet, though nothing fancy. This would be for 1862. Any suggestions appreciated. I am a bit overwhelmed! TiA!

Anna makes beautiful winter/early spring bonnets!

http://annaworden.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/newest-hoods/

Elizabeth Topping

I would strongly suggest a slat bonnet (i.e. a type of sun bonnet, but different from the pioneer sunbonnet). They usually run in the $20-50 range depending upon the material, maker, etc. These were typically worn by women who would be out in the sun for any length of time. There's a free pattern on Elizabeth Stewart Clark's website, and here's an example of a finished product. http://victorianfancy.blogspot.com/2010/09/elizabeth-stewart-clark-slat-bonnet.html I don't know if this link to Liz's slat bonnet pattern will work, but I'll give it a try. http://www.thesewingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2010Slats.pdf

They take a little getting used to, but they're perfect for what you'll be doing, and they really help shade you from the sun. Cereal boxes or any flat, thin cardboard is excellent to use as slats.

If your first event is Shiloh, I can tell you from experience that a slat bonnet will not keep you warm, nor will it keep you dry I'd go with a soft bonnet, sans decoration. Keeps your ears and head warm plus you can SEE what's coming at you from the sides. You can add a slat bonnet for later in the year when it's warm and sunny, if you plan on "working" outside like in a garden or doing laundry.

ROTFLOL, I forget that it's not spring yet. The rate we're going right now it may be 65 and sunny for Shiloh! As our weatherman said today, if the groundhog sees his shadow it can't be six more weeks of winter as we haven't had any weeks yet. But I definately agree that a winter hood will keep you warmer.

Hmmmm... Maybe a slat and soft one. I wrote to shiloh150.org about what they expect re: clothing (It was mentioned on their site that they are not " hard core," but... I asked to have it forwarded to whoever is the arbitrator of such things. Obsessive?) Don't know SW TN weather so I want to be prepared. And no sun on the face! (I need to keep my fair complexion! lol) Please tell me your first time was fraught with terror! I have some anxiety/social issues (and a wonderful Capt
who inderstands and said he is okay if I end up having to spend the time in my tent (which I am sharing with a very experienced reenactor, so I will also have moral support.) Excitement about educating people (and dressing up!) on one hand, fear on the other.
Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to ramble but no one here gets this...

Mme. Brindle- Fear not, you are in good company.

You've posted your request on several fora. Good idea. It is best to have many opinions before making a decision. Mrs. Lawson, who answered you on this one, is the civilian coordinator (they term "Governor") of the Blue-Gray Alliance, the folks responsible for The Rules and enforcement of same. Mrs. L., Mr. Orrand, and their minions are all friendly, helpful people who want to make sure everyone gets to play at Shiloh in a positive way, respectful of everyone else. I'll be in Purdy... but in first person and as an immigrant and stranger to the town (not someone a respectable citizen would casually associate with.)

I will second the advice given. You will want a slat bonnet or corded bonnet of a light-weight, light colored cotton (if it is warm and sunny, you're covered and cool) and a wool hood (if it gets cool or rainy, you're snug and covered, and the wool whisks lighter rain way so you may stay more dry than not). For your wool hood, I'd recommend a dark outer fabric to trap the warmth and a light colored interior/facing to capture and reflect light around your face and aid vision. If it turns out the weather doesn't accommodate one of your new bonnets, you'll have it for a future event that does.
You may use the pattern from Elizabeth Stewart Clark for both. For the slat bonnet, use the pattern exactly as she describes. For the wool bonnet, proceed as described omitting the slats and their channels. When you wear the wool, you'll fold back some of the part that would have held the channels.

If you don't feel up to making bonnets for yourself (or run out of time ) here are a few ready-mades from reputable merchants. Many of these merchants also make lovely commercial patterns, when you're ready for more ambitious sewing projects.
Miller's Millinery
Timely Tresses (the "Boutique" section)
Originals by Kay/ P.Palmer DryGoods
Anna Worden Bauersmith on Etsy
Talbott & Co. Heritage Goods on Etsy
Aldridge Clothiers

Here's a few articles that hopefully will help calm your nerves and assure you that you are not alone in your pre-first event jitters.
Auntie Maude's Curious Compendium of 19th Century Knowledge by Elizabeth Stewart Clark
Re-enactors' Resource Pages by Anna Worden Bauersmith
Virginia's Veranda by Virginia Mescher
History Hallway Heartburn by Elaine Kessinger

Again, you are not alone. We were all terrified at our first dress-out event and terrified at our first camp-out event. You will be fine. We DO to understand.

Regardless of authenticity standards, I'd advise you get things as accurate as possible. No need to buy for Shiloh (not hard core) and then want to attend a hard core event and have the wrong clothes -- I say buy right the first time, if possible, it's cheaper, (speaking from experience). I've done just about every kind of event and I can tell you that it does get easier, though I still get butterflies after 2o some years. With today's economy I always recommend starting out with the basic everyday/work dress. I generally recommend if one can afford it a tropical weight wool (some call it suit weight). The reason I like wool is that we work around open fires a lot and wool doesn't tend to ignite like cotton does, and yes, it's period correct. I'm also a firm believer in the slat bonnet. I know a lot of people hate it because they feel like they're wearing a mailbox, or they feel like a horse with blinders, but that's how they were in the period, too.

When doing your portrayal, I hope you actually record your experiences. I've read a number of period accounts of civilians (generally male, but...) who travelled with the army. One thing the often wrote about was how they were put back with the hospital, so they brought up the rear of the column. That way if there's trouble up front, the sick and wounded who can travel are as far away as possible. The roads were most typically dirt, so think about 100s of men, horses, wagons, possibly cassons, etc. travelling that road up ahead of you. The condition of the road worsens the more people travel it, so by the time you're going over that part of the road it's going to be very dusty (if dry), or muddy (if wet). There are a lot of cases where army wagons and such would get bogged down in the mud and slow down regiments. Just trying to give you something to think about as you prepare for your impression, and talk to people about your portrayal.

I think one thing that would be good to know for the public, is that it wasn't typical for "good" girls to accompany an army like you are. So you're a bit of a novelty. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't do the portrayal, I'm just trying to think of a few things that I'd be thinking about. Are you doing a northern or southern portrayal? If you're one of them 30 something or less, strong minded Yankee ladies, heck you might even be able to get away wearing a Bloomer costume!

I W

I would to like to answer that I am under 30, but it's a wonder I can remember that far back! No,just an independent, headstrong type who learned some self-sufficiency teaching kids out west, have also written (in real life, too)..
Nothing published that you'd have heard about... Oh, I have a pretty well fleshed-out backstory including the rigours of the march.
I am no Sarah Emma Edmonds, but Miss Nesbit (or Mme, since I am a lady of a certain age.
Still making my way through the intricacies of Victorian etiquette...and American vs British...?) I will definitely be writing reports and impressions, letters to my brothers and parents, probably some poetry stuck in there.
Oh, and I was born in NC, but my family were Abolitionists and they are in Boston (and I now consider myself aligned with the Union) with friends, etc, etc. I will be writing with period correct wooden stylus with nib, and ink, and old fashioned pencils.
BTW, I have decided on a conservative corded sun bonnet and a slat bonnet, maybe a proper hairnet, just in case. Not much money or time right now (limited income and time and my giant puppy - boy, I wish I could bring her - needs a kennel built.

Besides, that's what winter is for, yes? Sewing. (Should be interesting. Made *many* of my clothes in high school, but since then I have been limited to repairing rips and tears, sewing on buttons and hemming. Fall from grace, indeed.

Well, thanks for letting me talk your ears off (writing your eyes out? That can't be right!) and everyone here is so nice and helpful. If I turn out embarrassing and you are at Shiloh (Anyone here going to be there?), feel free to snub
me. (I'll be with the galliant and valiant 2NCMI.)

Tamara (Please don't judge my writing skills by the hampering of my exasperating - but still beloved - droid!)

Okay, two more questions (besides "Am I a pest?") -

1. Have yet to see a blonde in any period photos. Was it uncommon, unpopular? (Yes, I am blonde, courtesy of my hairdresser.)

2. Have you seen any sun bonnets that were not white? It seems to me it would be a nightmare to keep presentable on the road.
Light or medium brown? Dusty rose? Green???

TiA.

Oops, sorry. Still getting the hang of this....

You have seen blonds in period photographs, you just didn't realize they were blonds. The color yellow photographs as black and very dark gray due to the filtering of light pigment. Read more about it here.

Yes, corded and slatted bonnets came in colors besides white... but remember you will want to keep it a light color to reflect the light off of your face and head... they are seen in patterns too, which will help hide dirt. Remember also that white cotton and linen are often chosen for items that see heavy use because they could withstand period laundering easiest... and still retain their lack of color and tidiness. When wearing a dark colored sun-bonnet (worse with slatted but still true with corded)... your vision will be obscured worse by not only being shaded by the bonnet but also the dark color absorbing the light before it reaches your eyes. Think of how we paint small rooms of a house with light colors so they don't feel claustrophobic... same idea here. This may lead to some of the women feeling their bonnets are more of a "Mailbox Head" than they actually are.

I second Elaine's comments on blonde. Also there are many written accounts of blonde hair. One instant song that comes to mind is Steven Foster's popular Under the Willow, where the deceased is described as having "golden hair." Aura Lea is also described as a maid with golden hair. So there you have it.

And as she said slat and corded bonnets came in a multitude of colors, and fabrics. I had a nice black silk slat bonnet made after finding enough evidence that there were existing examples. I know of some individuals who have seen slat bonnets in silk and fine wool as well. I have a couple solids including a tropical weight wool in sort of a dusty rose color (iirc), and also a black silk slat bonnet. I also have two checkered ones (one of the checkered is a corded bonnet). I'm personally partial to slats because I feel that they give better protection from the sun, and I've already had a bout of basil cell carcinoma on my nose, so... in a nutshell, yes to both your questions.

First of all, I extend my apologies re my manner of replying. Long time user of lists...new to forum format.

Funny you should mention that song, as a long time nickname of mine has been Willow (not because of my form! but a friend consideted me to have healing properties - mainly dogs, wolfdogs, cats, birds and dolphins. Aaaaaanyway, thanks for mentioning it. The bonnets will be in light shades. Slat in a blue print to go with my navy schoolmarm outfit, sun in dusty rose or light brown to go with a dark green plaid. And yes I do know the OC didn't neccesarily match head gear to gowns, but I just. Can't. Help. It

.o easy on me - I'm playing my newbie card

Oh i give up
I cannot edit this thing, probably because iy is on a phone
Anyhow, thank you, everyone. Two months of nightmares = 3 days of educating... oh, and dressing up!!! And, btw, i am hand sewing my chemise and drawers. Yay, me.

I found that sometimes when it won't let me edit a post, I have to refresh the page and then it lets me edit. Then again, it may just be your phone, dunno. Just a thought. But I've had problems editting on this forum, too. So join the club.

Oh thanks. I can't get a strong enough signal to use my computer unless and until i can afford satellite. I'm in a "holler" as they say down here
Oh well, first things first. That means reenactment before computer!

It has been my experience over many years that April around Shiloh is very dependable. I guarantee it will be between the high 20's with snow, ice or a little warmer with rain, or it will be in the mid 70's with abundant warm sunshine... or anything in between... guaranteed!

Two quick questions:

1. Would a mature (50) woman wear ruffles on her slat bonnet or would she wear it plain?

2. Sun bonnets. I know they can be in solid colors, buy patterns (very small flowers on grey - no dark colords.

Opinions?