Though the frizzed hairstyles of the 1780s look wild with abandon, and therefore easy, there are still structural elements underneath that keep the hair in the fashionable shape and form a solid foundation for headwear such as the large and fabulous “Gainsborough” hats. For Lauren’s 1785 style we’ve created the “Tootsie Roller,” a simple design that creates enough of a bump at the crown of the head for the frizzed hair at front to “rest” upon. The size of your cushion can vary—try scaling the pattern up for grander effects—but it’s important to maintain silhouette of the hair being wider than it is tall.
• ¼ yard (25 cm) wool knit in matching color to your hair when powdered
• #30 silk thread in matching color
• Horsehair, ground cork or wool roving
1. Matching right sides together, pin, then stitch the cushion all the way around with a backstitch, leaving a small opening about 2½ inches (6 cm) long on one of the long edges.
2. Turn the piece right side out, then stuff with the horsehair, cork or wool roving.
3. Turn in the edges of the opening, pin, then whipstitch to close.
4. Make a few tacking backstitches through all layers and stuffing of the cushion along the marked dotted lines.
