It’s finally time…I’m offering a hat class. :) An ALL CATTAIL class to be exact. And no good hat is complete without a great hatband so you can choose to weave a cattail zigzag band or add birch, willow or cedar bark!
As I do with all my first time workshops, I’m offering this workshop at a discounted rate as a TRAIL. What does a trial mean? Well, I’ve not taught this specific project to a full group and there are a few variables I need to explore. And though I’m confident all students will successfully complete their hats, I don’t know the exact timing or the challenges that might come up.
DURATION/SCHEDULE - I’m scheduling 8 weaving hours plus a lunch break on day two. I’ve found that for most weavers, 5-6 hours in one day is about the limit. We’ll do our fitting and ground work the first evening and then come back refreshed and really dive in on day two.
Friday, Aug 15th: 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, Aug 16th: 10am to 4pm (with a 45 min dedicated lunch break)
SIZING - We will be using layered extruded polystyrene hand-shaped molds. I have made over a dozen molds with a variety of circumferences, heights and slight shape differences. I will do my best to match each student with the mold most suited to them. We will create head sizers to test different molds and make adjustments as needed. Expect your finished hat to be within 1-2 sizes of your head…always leaning on too big than too small! Adding hat spacers will help adjust for any size issues and for comfort - there are many, many options out there for sizers.
SKILLS - I chose this specific hat project to keep the skill set simple and to leverage a plentiful and easy-to-work with material. There are no pre-requisites skills. We will be weaving the hat directly on to the mold vs. “blocking” which is used for straw or felt hats so specific shapes/shaping is limited.
NATURAL HATS - A natural/rustic hat, like we will make in this class, though beautiful and unique will never be as durable or long lasting as a traditional “straw” hat. When we think of a Panama hat or many straw hats, they are made of a very tightly woven straw called toquilla straw…which is actually a PALM LEAF! Besides toquilla straw, raffia, hemp, sisal, several palms, and wheat straw are also used for making tightly woven and durable hats. They are often treated with stiffeners, lacquers, and other products to extend their lifespan and increase durability. Even with all this, natural fiber hats are still prone to becoming brittle and breakage if left to dry out and not stored properly. Our hats will be a wonderful experience and an ephemeral gift lasting a few years with gentle care, not left in hot cars, or accidently stepped on. Unlike felt/wool or animal hide hats that can last for decades, it would have been common to weave or purchase a new plant fiber hat every few years.
Age minimum: 18
Class size max: 6 (4 student minimum)
Class registration is NON-REFUNDABLE. However, if you want to sell or give your spot to a friend, I’m happy to welcome someone else in your place. I’m unable to support refunds or credits.