How to Make a Straw Cowboy Hat
A straw cowboy hat can give a person a rustic, charming appearance. There was a time when straw hats were handmade, giving each hat a unique look. Needless to say, those times are long gone. Just about all straw cowboy hats today are mass-produced to look just like the hat made before and after. But making your own straw cowboy hat isn't too difficult if you know how to sew.
Things You'll Need
- Straw braid
- Scissors
- Curved upholstery needle
- Double twine string
- Poster board
- Tape
- Pencil
- Graph paper
Instructions
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1
Make a sketch of your cowboy hat using graph paper and a pencil. Decide what you want each square of the graph paper to represent. For example, one square can equal 1 inch. This type of planning will make Step 2 easier.
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2
Sketch out the same design on your poster board, making sure to draw each piece--such as the brim and top--separately. Essentially, you're making your own 3D pattern in exact measurements. Tape together the segments so you can adjust the measurements as necessary.
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3
Carefully pull the hat pieces from the 3D model apart once you are happy with the measurements and look of the cowboy hat.
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4
Copy each hat segment from your 3D model in straw by sewing the braid in a spiral with a slight overlap and then zigzagging over the overlap with a long stitch. Double twine string and an upholstery needle are perfect for this job as straw is more difficult to sew through than more conventional materials.
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5
Once each segment of the cowboy hat has been reproduced in straw, sew each segment together. Make sure to sew together the very edges of the segments so the measurements remain the same.
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Tips & Warnings
Straw braid can be found at craft stores. Once completed, your cowboy hat can be accessorized with a bandana, ribbon or anything else that suits your fancy. The segments of your hat can be sewn on a sewing machine, but when putting the entire hat together, it is recommended that it be sewn by hand.
Don't attempt to make your cowboy hat as a single, continuous spiral unless you are very experienced at sewing. Attempting to do it this way will give it a more polished appearance, but it's nearly impossible for someone who isn't accustomed to hand sewing.
