Using my new pattern, you can easily create the stovepipe bonnet of your dreams. You start with the buckram frame, and from there, you can go crazy. :)
Here's a quick tutorial on how to assemble a buckram frame for a regency stovepipe bonnet. Enjoy!
You can purchase the pattern here.
Up in the Portland hills near Lake Oswego, nestled in a fancy-schmancy neighborhood of large houses; there is the estate of Rae Selling Berry which is now the Berry Botanic Garden. This location is very informal; a garden of natives with wild looking paths and little nooks and crannies. There is a sedum garden; being grown in cast cement trays, varieties I'd never seen before... and a soft clovery lawn decorated with the occasional mole hill.
Tara and Christian brought "Pétanque"; a game similar to Bocci or Bowls, and they too kept various members entertained. A hand or two of whist were played, and there were paths to be explored, strawberries and treats to be enjoyed.
Its grounds are immaculately landscaped, and the perfectly manicured lawns, soft, drooping willows, and colourful tufts of roses and other perennials, makes it the perfect location for a Regency picnic. We spent Sunday afternoon occupying the shade beneath the trees at 'the point', where the garden ends in a sudden sharp hill, opening up the view to the city of Portland.
Roughly 20 ORS members, coupled with about ten ladies from the Portland Ladies Tea Guild; who dovetailed their event with ours, created a sizable spectacle for Mansion visitors to see. Many a strolling soul slowed to observe the genteel group in regency costume, taking full advantage of the spectacular day.
It was a lovely occasion, one we hope to repeat next summer.
Here are links to some of our members' photos of the day. Enjoy. :)
A DVD was sent to me recently by Barbara of Brightjoy Productions. She'd taken this footage at the ORS's first event in August of 2007. It was a nice gift to receive as we approach our August 2008 Midsummer Night's Dream Masquerade ball at the same venue; the Ainsworth House & Gardens. I was thrilled.
I had some trouble figuring out how to convert this video from DVD to make it youtube compatible, and in part, it ended up being squished and only 7ish minutes long (the whole video is 16 minutes). I'll hopefully get a better quality version together at some point, but in the meantime, here it is. Flashback to last year.
ORS is a little over a year old now, but technically; August will mark the anniversary month of the ORS's first Regency costume event. It's exciting. In this short time, our membership exceeds 180 people; and we have a host of wonderful events for them to participate in.
I'm very proud of the Oregon Regency Society. It's such a wonderful thing. :)
The Eugene "Emerald City Regency Party" was a wonderful success. Thea had decked the whole venue out in a riot of flowers and art; the buffet was a colourful array of fruits and cheeses and other delicious tidbits; and there was much dancing.
The full set of photos can be viewed here. 
I set up my supplies; none of which I used because most of them were bought off me! :)
There were many busy hands, gluing and cutting, stitching, sewing and unraveling.
There was also some necessary silliness as well.
All in all it was a wonderful day, and several very nice bonnets came out of it. Some still required the finishing touches, but the owners promised me to send final pictures when they’re done.
Sixteen ladies (and girls) in Regency costume converged on the Lavender Tea Room in Sherwood Oregon this past Sunday to enjoy a delicious tea of savory sandwiches, scones and delightful desserts.
We've been super busy lately. Throwing together events so that there is a nice, steady succession of activities to keep our members engaged and busy. :)
The "Bring in the Spring" Regency Party was a resounding success! You can find photos of this event here. Short movies of the dancing will be posted soon. There was a beautiful array of costumes and company to enjoy and we all had a wonderful time.
I had a try at making a regency bonnet a couple of weeks ago, and the above image is the end product. I have donated it for the raffle for Saturday's Regency Party, and made a reticule to match. I've also started a second bonnet as well. I documented the making of the first bonnet and the progress on the second one on a thread on the RSA Community Forum. You can see the pictorial by clicking here. The above bonnet is the first post, however I've made a second set of pictorals with much more detailed instructions below, so read on.
