Simple Straw Hats

During our second Hive program of 2012, we will be holding a workshop on decorating and wearing a simple straw hat.   In order to prepare for the workshop, I collected some references and incorporated them into a simple visual.   Decorating a straw hat requires only a few basic sewing skills and some attention to the details of decorating our hats that we find commonly in period prints.  Documenting our straw hat style takes a little time and effort, but it is well worth it.

These are details of straw hats cropped from period prints by John Collet.  All are available from the British Museum's online collection for further study.  Of particular note for replicating these hats is the lack of flowers, feathers or complicated ribbon arrangements.  These are not sophisticated high fashion hats.  A simple ribbon band or bow is sufficient, with ribbon poufs being by far the most common arrangement of ribbon trim.