I am looking for plans on how to construct a straw hat. In pariticular I would like plans for the type of hat that is worn by farmeres in southeast Asia,.. the type that is shaped like a broad cone and creates a shadow that completely covers the wearer. It is actually quite important and not just a fashion statement. Gardening all day in the hot sun can age ones' skin very rapidly. I found a few for sale by Internet companies, but at most they were of the type that had brims 18" wide...I am looking for something twice as wide.

-- John Fritz (aeon30@hotmail.com), August 10, 2000

Answers

I hope somebody knows the answer, because I've wondered the same thing.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), August 11, 2000.

You may be able to check some od the .edu sites in their crafts sections (not the athletics prerequisites as my wife implies). Also the public telivision websites may have something (I recall seeing a special on APT that showed people weaving hats)

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 11, 2000.

In a magazine called piecework between 1993 and 1996 they had a wonderfull artical on making strawhats out of cat tail reeds [ they were beautifull]showed step by step directions [ after you make one or two you can adapt design] the # on inside cover is [303]669-7672] I will go through mine and see If I can find it.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), August 11, 2000.

check with V I Reed and Cane, www.basketweaving.com

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 12, 2000.

John, my neighbor the hard-core yardscape fanatic has a hat such as you describe, but I think he either had it made or made it himself. I've never seen them for sale commercially. You might contact some local basketweavers to see if they either make them or know sources. From what I've seen, the hats themselves are fairly simple to make if you have the necessary weaving skills.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), August 12, 2000.

Piecework. july/ august 1994 has the artical on making hats, Its with staw not cat tails.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), August 17, 2000.

If you figure out how to make them, I would be interested in buying one from you.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), August 17, 2000.