The Elusive and Problematic French Hood
- September 2nd, 2008
- Posted in Creative . Renaissance Faire
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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about French hoods. I have one that matches a dress I haven’t worn in years. It is, in my opinion, incredibly flimsy and difficult to wear, requiring regular adjustment. I’ve noticed that this is a common problem. I have seen two examples of how to construct and wear a sturdier French hood so that it requires less frequent adjustment.
The first example is Sarah Lorraine’s French Hoods Page, which includes downloadable patterns and instructions on how to don and wear a French hood, with pictures. The details there I found to be rather important were that she braids her hair and then secures it to her head crown or halo style using period hair-taping, and that provides support for the hood, keeping it from sliding backward.
The second example was provided to me in person. Last year at Pennsic, I attended a beaded veil edging class given by Lady Sarra Bossard. At the end of the class, she brought out one of her French hoods, which was constructed differently than any other I’ve seen. Instead of being shaped like a headband or tiara, it had a really strong crown-shaped foundation, which would be hidden by the veil. It kind of looked like a modern sun visor with the visor turned about, and was custom fitted, not stretchy.
I want to take those two examples and make a super-hood. One I can wear for 8 hours and not have to “fix”. So far, I have figured that I can make the base using a strip of plastic canvas measured directly on my head, with the ends cut at an angle and stitched together so that it will sit directly and perfectly on my head. I’m thinking I will cover the base with duct tape to keep any sharp pointies from poking through. I can then cover the base with fabric and make the “visor” part separately, not attaching it until it is also covered with fabric. Then I can decorate the hood with beads and such, and attach a piece of cloth for the veil. I should then be able to secure it to my head using one or two pins and be done with it.
I can get my supplies for this project tomorrow morning. I will post a new post to report on how it turns out if I do manage to follow through 
Just stumbled across your page via a google search. I have just finished making a french hood as part of my university course and it is definitely robust, as it has travelled up and down the country in a suitcase for a month! The brim is cut all in one piece and fitted to the head and then a crescent is added onto that. The main part of it is madeof wired buckram covered in domette and fabric, so it is quite sturday! It sounds very similar to what you are hoping to achieve.
I based it on a pattern found in a book called The Tudor Tailor by Ninya Mikhaila and Jane Malcolm-Davies, which is available here in the UK. Not sure if you could get hold of a copy, but it might be pretty useful for you. I realise you posted this ages ago, but just thought I’d give you a heads up in case!