The Cracked Egg

Made while my daughter was in her third and final surgery, this bonnet was built to be the first thing she saw on waking: her favourite breakfast, a soft-boiled egg, cracked open in felt.

Thick white felt offcuts became petals of cracked shell. Cream and warm yolk yellow filled the centre, with a semi-transparent ribbon folded back on itself for the gooey middle, and yellow tassels spilling over the edge like dripping yolk. I hand-sewed it onto an Alice band, piece by piece, while I waited.

When she recovered, I made her a matching egg dress from a broken t-shirt and old bed sheets. She'd twirl around the room in it, delighted, the little yolk tassels swaying along with her.