Looking at Forms, and Not Shading

Hat illustrations from the 1890s.

I bought a nice little book, "Hat-Making For Dolls" which encloses behind its upbeat title, very intricate illustrations such as the one above.  These intimidate me, but if I look at the shapes, and am not distracted by all the engraving shading and lines, I can see that the hats are maybe not too awfully hard to make.  So, last night I tried to make a hat for the larger doll I have been working on, whom I am naming Esmeralda.

 I followed the instructions in the Hat-Making for Dolls book, and wrapped the larger floral wire with lightweight wires.  I will have to cover the larger wires with seam binding or ribbon.   I made two vee's, and two single wire wraps, and that seemed to hold.

I put some old cotton net on it, because I want to make it be a pretty "garden hat." 

Here is the hat so far on Esmeralda, who is not all painted yet.

 

I think she's going to like it!