The Brain Hat

I am working on the "brain hat" from the American Duchess book to go with my anglaise gown. I bought a straw hat base on Etsy from a lady in the 18th century sewing Facebook group to start with. I decided to use leftover taffeta (which is not silk) from my bat dress, and bought some silk organza to use for the brain puffs.

First step was lining the inside of the crown:

Next I covered the outside of the hat.

I also covered the outside of the crown, but forgot a picture of that step. You can see it here, with the organza tube attached. I stupidly basted it closed in white thread because it was on the machine and I was lazy, but thankfully it doesn't show.

Figuring out how to "puff" the organza was really hard, the book didn't have very good directions or any decent pictures, but I think it looks alright!

Last step was to put a ruffle around the outside. I am not wild about how it's kind of sticking up and might take it off and redo it with box pleated ribbon instead. The ties are only pinned on here. Isn't it ridiculous? I think it will look better with proper hair! I have also made the cap to wear under it, but I haven't finished trimming it, so I haven't taken pictures yet. It seems a bit big, I might need to take it in.