The Garde Soleil

 Spiritual - "When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."  Alexander Graham Bell    Lord,  Show us how to live for today.  Help us to be so attuned to Your Will that we will experience all that You have for us.  Amen

 









 Sewing - The garde-soleil or sun bonnet was designed and worn by European and Acadian women and children to protect them from the sun.  "Garde" refers to guard and "soleil" refers to sun.  There are many patterns for the sun bonnet because women made their own patterns to reflect their own styles according to their place in society and, also, according to the function of the bonnet (working in the fields, church, mourning, etc).  Most patterns we have today are made from bonnets that were passed from mother to daughter for many generations.  You can still find dated ones in antique stores in this part of the country.  What a treasure!  They look so cute on babies and little girls and protects them from the sun and wind.