Want a simple head covering that can protect you from the sun and add some serious sex appeal and is super simple to make? Meet the Therese, a popular hood worn in the late 1770s and throughout the 1780s. [5] Usually constructed of silk organza or black silk taffeta, these very large hoods are meant to cover some very large hair, a cap and maybe even another hat. When made in organza, the hood may also be pulled over the face to act as a veil. While our pattern is quite large, the proportions are easy to adjust for earlier or later decades.
• 1 yard (1 m) black silk taffeta or ivory/white silk organza
• #30 and #50 silk thread to match
• 2 yards (2 m) ½- to 1-inch (1.2- to 2.5-cm)-wide silk ribbon
1. Cut out the pattern accordingly, keeping in mind that you will want to make good use of your selvage. For our version, we used the selvage edge for the front of the hood. If you are not using a selvage for the front of your Therese, baste and hem the front edges using ¼-inch (6-mm) folds.
2. Offset the back seam by ¼ inch (6 mm) and pin the length of the seam according to the pattern. Mantua maker’s seam the back seam of the hood (here).
3. Fold, baste and hem the open top of the back of the hood.
4. Using the #30 thread, sew gathering stitches around the opening at the back of the hood.
5. Pull the gathers up to completely enclose the back of the hood. Using #30 thread, tack the opening closed.
6. Next, fold up and baste the bottom of the hood ½ inch (1.2 cm), then fold up another 1 inch (2.5 cm) and hem. Run your ribbon through the casing.
7. Yay! Your massive hood of glamour doom is ready! If it’s particularly windy, we suggest securing it with a small hat pin to your hair. Trust us, this parachute-like hood is a choking hazard with a brisk walk.
