Wearing the first costume she ever made, Miss James sat down in a bonnet making workshop at the Jane Austen Festival in Canberra to add to her now-substantial period clothing collection.

"I'll cover it with this green felt and then put some ribbons on it so I can tie it under the chin and it wont fall off," Miss James said.

"With most bonnets you get some lovely, outrageous decorations... I've got some flowers in store, and possibly a feather."

Miss James, who has attended the event for the past three years, said her mum influenced her Jane Austen passion.

"Often when she was ironing we would go through the entire BBC Pride and Prejudice series," she said.

Festival director Aylwen Gardiner-Garden said more than 300 people had registered for the event this year.

"We're increasing year on year," she said.

"It's the only event like this nationally. It's just a small event, but about 75 per cent of the attendees are from interstate."

The event location moved from ANU in 2014 to Albert Hall in 2015.

Ms Gardiner-Garden said she was thrilled to use the "best venue in Canberra".

"It has got the best dance floor, and it's historic," she said.

"This is probably the oldest building we've got here in Canberra.

"Even though it's 1928, it's a little bit of history. It is easy to step back in time."

The highlight of the Jane Austen Festival was the grand Battle of Waterloo Ball held on Saturday night.

Attendees dressed up in elaborate and ornate costumes and enjoyed dancing and food from the Jane Austen era.