Straw Hats

[tmdreb]

Re: Straw Hats

Believe it or not, but period style with correct construction can be found at places such as WALMART, however, additional work will be required to make it 100% correct. If you can dye, shellack and sew a sweat band, this could be the best route.

Just curious, being that I know little about period straw hats, but what color and why were they dyed? Also, I realize a sweatband would be necessary, but were all straw hats of the period dyed and shellacked?

[markj]

Re: Straw Hats

Just curious, being that I know little about period straw hats, but what color and why were they dyed? Also, I realize a sweatband would be necessary, but were all straw hats of the period dyed and shellacked?

The short answer would be "no." Please check the images I have posted previously and you'll quickly see that some appear to be shellacked while others do not.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[tmdreb]

Re: Straw Hats

My new computer didn't come with Office, and I don't know any other way to view those pics you posted, Mark. I do appreciate your assistance, and I wish I were better able to use it, but that is no fault of yours.

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Straw Hats

Here are two more images (see attachment) of men wearing straw hats. Anybody know where we can find similar items today?

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

I visited this hat shop while in Bisbee, AZ a few years ago:

http://www.optimohatworks.com/index.htm

While his web page does not currently show any mid-19thc styles, the owner had some on display in his shop when we there. Upon inquiry, he told me that he can reproduce virtually any style straw hat from any period, using appropriate construction techniques. I can confirm that his workmanship is impeccable; like all finely-crafted items it is priced accordingly.

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Straw Hats

"If you can dye, shellack and sew a sweat band, this could be the best route."

By sweatband, do you mean a leather sweatband as seen on felt hats or do you mean a cotton or linen sweatband/half lining?

I have seen the linen route on 18th century straw hats, but I have not seen any surviving 19th century straw hats in depth enough to make a determination.

[Moonshine]

Re: Straw Hats

Hello,

If anyone can get a contact name/number/email for the gentleman who makes or sells the straw hats at New Boston this weekend I'd appreciate it immensly!!!

James Ross

[sumter_guard]

Re: Straw Hats

I too would be very interested in a good straw hat connection. I've been researching the California Gold Rush period and various styles of straw hats are particularly evident. I thought Dirty Billy's stuff looked good. Had no idea he was using nylon thread. Bums me out. If anyone could post that guy's contact info next week I would sure be appreciative.

Thanks,
Andrew Quist
quist77@yahoo.com

[MassVOL]

Re: Straw Hats

Here are two pictures of the hat that I purchased. My camera battery died and I couldnt get a picture of the inside. It is sewn with linnen thread and no fishline at all. I got it for $20 at Old Surbridge Village in (www.osv.org) I looked on their on line store for them and didnt see them but if you call you cam probably order one. If you go to that site you can buy a book for $5.95 which tells you how to make your own.
Those of you not familiar with OLD Sturbridge Village it is a musuem of 30 or so orginal houses from around New England dedicated to showing early 19th century life in New England. I did walk into one home and saw a woman braiding the same straw that hat is made out of but sadly I didnt ask her about it.

[markj]

Re: Straw Hats

Here are two pictures of the hat that I purchased. My camera battery died and I couldnt get a picture of the inside. It is sewn with linnen thread and no fishline at all. I got it for $20 at Old Surbridge Village in (www.osv.org) I looked on their on line store for them and didnt see them but if you call you cam probably order one. If you go to that site you can buy a book for $5.95 which tells you how to make your own.
Those of you not familiar with OLD Sturbridge Village it is a musuem of 30 or so orginal houses from around New England dedicated to showing early 19th century life in New England. I did walk into one home and saw a woman braiding the same straw that hat is made out of but sadly I didnt ask her about it.

I didn't see any hats offered through the OSV website but I did find the hat making book in the Gift Shop section. It's called:

Handcrafted Straw Hats

Author June Garges spent years studying rye straw hat making of early America. Here she has compiled her knowledge of historical and technical information, tracing the entire process -- from cultivating rye (for the straw) to step-by-step instructions for making a variety of straw hats. A great way to learn and preserve this unique early home art. 40 pp. Paperback

Price $5.95

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[courier]

Re: Straw Hats

Gentlemen,
While at New boston this weekend,we went looking for the straw hat man,Jim Patton.I had a chance to meet 2 AC'ers and got to put a face with the names.First the good news,the hats look great and I got the e-mail and contact info for the seller.The bad news is that the hats are sewn with nylon thread.They are made in America and you can't see the thread but it's there.The maker feels that the cotton thread will not hold up with the abuse and sweat.He has 3 types available.A short brim high crown that was in fashion for the "city" fellers from late 18th to late 19th century(approx. 1780 to 1870). If anyome has info to the contrary,I would like to hear about it.the last 2 hats are shorter crown and from ver,very wide brim to moderate brim.
For your info,the following contact : jwpatton3@att.net.
snail mail: Jim Patton
1550 Cherry Road
Springfield,Il.
62704
phone:217-546-4645
Regards,Rick Harris

[Amtmann]

Re: Straw Hats

I got to see him while I was there, but was in a hurry and didn't check into the hats' details.

[Fritz]

Re: Straw Hats

I have found straw hat at craft fairs in Central Kentucky. These come from some of the local Amish in the area. Seems they (Amish) don't desire a crowd coming to them, but will sell to a select few who then resell at craft show.

Fritz Jacobs
CPTFritz@aol.com

[Moonshine]

Re: Straw Hats

Mr. Harris,

Thank you so very much for your efforts! It is appreciated!

James Ross

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Straw Hats

I have found straw hat at craft fairs in Central Kentucky. These come from some of the local Amish in the area.

Fritz,

Becareful with what you buy from the Amish....

The sweatband may be the wrong size and might be sewn in with polyester thread. Just because the Amish made it, don't always mean it's 100% athentic for our use.

I own an Amish made bowler and everything on the inside of the hat needed to be re-worked.

[JimConley]

Re: Straw Hats

Fritz,

Becareful with what you buy from the Amish....

The sweatband may be the wrong size and might be sewn in with polyester thread. Just because the Amish made it, don't always mean it's 100% athentic for our use.

I own an Amish made bowler and everything on the inside of the hat needed to be re-worked.

But, man, after being re-worked, it sure looks awesome!