How to Fold a Cocked Hat
Cocked hats were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries; the name comes from the fact that the sides were cocked up to give them their shape. A bicorn cocked hat has two sides cocked up and is the type of hat associated with Napoleon. Tricorn hats have three sides cocked up so they look like a triangle when viewed from above. Portraits of the pirate Blackbeard and of George Washington show them wearing tricorn cocked hats. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Broad-brimmed felt hat blank
- Tape measure
- Tailors chalk
- Pins
- Sewing needle
- Thread that matches hat color
- Leather punch
- Leather cord
- Braid and/or trim (optional)
Instructions
-
Folding a Tricorn Hat
-
1
Locate the back of the hat, where the band seam will be located on the inside. Mark the center of the back with tailor's chalk on the brim. Measure around the brim with the tape measure and divide this measurement in three. Mark the sides of the brim into three equal parts, using your center back as one mark.
-
2
Take the side edges of the brim and fold them up. Pin each mark to the crown of the hat. Make sure the sides are folded up equally and the point is right at the front of the hat. Try the hat on and make adjustments until you have created a look you like.
-
-
3
Remove the pins and use the needle and thread to sew three stitches to attach each folded flap of the hat to the crown. Use small stitches that won't be visible.
-
4
Punch two holes in the center of each brim flap and use leather cord to lace the flap and crown together, with the leather knot tied between the crown and the cocked flap to hide it.
-
5
Decorate with braid, trim, feathers or a cockade if desired.
Folding a Bicorn Hat
-
6
Decide whether you want a bicorn hat that has the points running from shoulder to shoulder (Napoleon style) or from front to back. Locate two points on the brim which are both midway down each side or center front and back, and mark these with tailor's chalk.
-
7
Take both edges of the brim and fold them up. Pin each mark to the crown of the hat. Make sure the sides are folded up equally and the hat looks even. Try the hat on and make adjustments until you have created a look you like.
-
8
Remove the pins and sew three small stitches to attach both folded flaps to the crown.
-
9
Punch two holes in the center of each brim flap and use leather cord to lace the flap and crown together, with the leather knot tied between the crown and the cocked flap to hide it.
-
10
Add braiding to the edge or other trimming if desired.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The stitches added in Step 3 can be removed after the brim is tied with leather cord, or they can be left for extra hold.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
