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Topic: Any experience with straw hats?

J.K. Vernier
Member
Member # 123

posted 06-19-2002 07:09 PM

I have it in mind to make a couple of straw hats, because I don't care much for the ones I've seen commercially available. I'd like to make one similar to the one in Van Eyck's Arnolfini Betrothal portrait (yes it is a straw hat, although it's hard to tell that in most reproductions - and there are other similar hats in other paintings throughout the mid-15th century in the Netherlands).

I have some basic info on hatmaking (Dreher's "From the Neck Up"), but I'm finding that her instructions are a bit thin, and my local sources for materials are less good than her book suggests. Does anyone have experience sewing straw braid hats? Also, any good sources for straw braid? I will take apart some cheap hats if I have to, but I'd ratther start with fresh materials.

Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Anne-Marie
Member
Member # 8

posted 06-20-2002 02:36 AM

we're fortunate up here in that we can readily get braided straw hats exactly like the ones in the early 16th century peasants in the field illos. they sell 'em cheap in the Asian districts of Vancouver BC.

Wide flat brim; round, low crown.

want one? I got a million of 'em...(I keep forgetting to bring one to events and then have to buy another one...)

--Anne-Marie, who was probably a mole in another life and prefers dark, cloudy days...

--------------------

"Let Good Come of It"

Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

AnnaRidley
Member
Member # 97

posted 06-20-2002 10:54 AM

While I agree with Anne-Maire that there are reasonable wide brimmed straw hats available, having seen a hand made hat based on a Breugel painting, they can be oh so much nicer and I applaud your effort.

Here is a survey of straw hats in art:
Straw Hats in Medieval and Renaissance Works of Art

Here is a list of Millinery supply companies form least to more expensive:
Judith M Designs
Victoria Louise, Mercers
Victorian Millinery Civil War Millinery Catalog

Since you're in LA have you tried the following?
California Millinery Supply Company
721 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA (213) 622-8746.

While they seem to be more for chair caning these folks also seem to have materials that might be more cost effective than the millinery supply folks.
Frank's Cane and Rush Supply
The Caning Shop

And I also stumbled across this course that might be helpful in your endeavors.
Hats Course B-5

I look forward to seeing the outcome of your project.

Mitake.

Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

J.K. Vernier
Member
Member # 123

posted 06-20-2002 05:48 PM

Thanks for the advice, and the links. I did go to California Millinery Supply last week- they had lots of big, flashy plastic braid suitable for Rose Parade or Southern Belle Drag Queen sorts of hats, but nothing plain and conservative, or even natural straw, and the man behind the desk had no clue where to find it. That rather surprised me.

Anne-Marie - I think I can find readymade hats around here, but if not, I'll let you know. Thanks for the offer!

I don't expect to have anything ready for the upcoming event at Fort MacArthur, but hopefully for Vegas in October.

[ 06-20-2002: Message edited by: J.K. Vernier ]

Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

J.K. Vernier
Member
Member # 123

posted 06-27-2002 06:02 PM

I just received straw braid which I ordered from The Caning Shop in Berkeley, the last source link which Mitake posted above. This was by far the cheapest source, and the braid is too coarse for a lot of modern hats (1/2" wide), but I think it will be just the ticket for what I have in mind, and at $9.50 for well over 100 ft, it is cheap enough to experiment with.

Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

thomas
New Member
Member # 333

posted 07-04-2002 11:29 AM

hi where would you purchace a period straw hat, mail order. here in the mid west there aren't many sources.

Registered: Jun 2002 | IP: Logged

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