pilgrim bonnet DIY

Make an easy pilgrim bonnet

 make an easy pilgrim bonnet

This DIY- making an easy pilgrim bonnet takes no time at all. The size works for an adult or a child and can be reused over and over unlike a paper bonnet. It could be just the thing to ease family tension around the Thanksgiving table this holiday season or make your little pilgrims stand out in their school Thanksgiving performance.  Be sure to check out my Native American Indian vest and Native American Indian headband tutorials too and before you know it you’re done and moving on to the next project or taking a nap.

make a pilgrim bonnet pattern

I came across this fantastic Simplicity pattern from 1970 in my collection and thought I would share the pattern and steps for making an easy pilgrim bonnet.  It has a lovely traditional shape and design to it, perfect for costuming a pilgrim or pioneer.  The pattern says child size 6 but we found it fits a medium size adult head as well.  Read through all instructions before you begin. There are two pattern pieces you will need, the crown and the brim.

Make an easy pilgrim bonnet:

make an easy pilgrim bonnetOn a piece of paper, draw the pattern for the crown. Draw a rectangle 9 inches tall and 4 1/2 inches wide. Round the corners of your drawing to match the picture above. Cut out your crown pattern piece copying over all instructions, especially “center back, place line on fold of fabric”. Place pattern over your folded over fabric and cut to size.
make an easy pilgrim bonnetMake sure you cut the crown piece on a fold so your crown piece will look like the above picture.
make an easy pilgrim bonnetFor the brim, draw a rectangle 20 inches long by 9 inches wide. Draw in the corners and darts to match the pattern above. Make sure to transfer all markings to your pattern piece. Place your pattern piece over your 2 pieces of fabric and cut them out.
make a pilgrim bonnetCut a piece of interfacing slightly smaller than the brim pattern to go between the two brim layers and stiffen up the fabric.

Crown:
make a pilgrim bonnet

Press under 1/4 inch on lower edge of crown.

 

make a pilgrim bonnetTurn lower edge to inside along seam line, forming casing. Stitch close to inner edge.
make a pilgrim bonnet

Cut a piece of elastic 4-5 inches long.

 

make a pilgrim bonnetUsing a safety pin, slip elastic thru casing; stitch ends.
make an easy pilgrim bonnetStitch the ends of the elastic to casing on either side of the crown.

Brim:
make a pilgrim bonnet

Iron interfacing to WRONG side of one brim piece. Mark dart lines in brim, both sides.
make a pilgrim bonnetMatching dots, sew darts in brim facing.
make a pilgrim bonnet

Repeat steps on the other non-interfaced brim piece. With the iron, press the darts flat.

make a pilgrim bonnet
make a pilgrim bonnetWith the RIGHT sides together, stitch facing to brim, leaving notched edges open. Trim corners and clip inside curves to ease fabric when turned right side out.
make a pilgrim bonnetTurn RIGHT side out; press.
make a pilgrim bonnetPress under 5/8 inch on notch edge of brim facing.

Stitching crown to brim:
make an easy pilgrim bonnetWith right sides together, pin crown to brim, matching centers.

 make a pilgrim bonnet

Stitch facing to brim being careful not to catch in brim facing as you sew.  Remove pins as you go, before you sew over them.

 

make an easy pilgrim bonnetThe bonnet is all sewn together and ready for the final steps.
make an easy pilgrim bonnet

Pin the edge of pressed brim facing over seam. Slip stitch or machine stitch into place.

Finishing:

make an easy pilgrim bonnetTurn bonnet RIGHT side out, fold brim over.  Cut two lengths of ribbon.
make a pilgrim bonnet

Sew one end of each ribbon to brim, sewing them at darts as shown.