Make Your Own Hats

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coil o

ow it to loosen gradually in the hand; pass it o

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ght down. Be sure to cut with the first attempt; otherwise, if the wire is haggled off, the pliers are in

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r paper may be held in the hand if the fingers become tender. Do not make small dents

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race wire

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the heavy wire one inch, then lap one of these pieces of tie wire around once as close to the end of the brace wire as is possible. Hold in the left hand and with the end of the pliers grasp the ends of the tie wire as close to the brace wire as possible and twist tightly until the joint feels firm. Place plie

WIRES WIT

DIAGONALLY WITH

PAPER PATTERN F

NING FABRIC O

LING IN SHORT LENGTHS WHEN THE DIFFERENC

BRIMS OF FABRIC. ILLUSTRATION SHOWS

ieces of brace

of brace wire without

at which the twist is to be made. Press the end straight backward, close to and parallel with the other end of the wire. The end should pass once and a half around. U

or hat having flat b

or every hat. A hat is seldom made with all sections of the brim of equal width, and t

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rease sharply. Fold the halves into fourths and the fourths into eighths and crease. This is to determine the position of the w

wire for

any hat, as the comfort of the wearer depends upon the measurements taken for this wire. Measure as for the headsize in a fabric hat

xt pin the sides securely, being careful to keep the wire shaped to fit the head. Allow one-half inch inside of wire and slash every half inc

easuremen

removing the wire, mark the eight different points where it crosses

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the headsize wire with tie wire. Place the next stick from side to side, joining on the pencil marks. The two remaining sticks when placed on the remaining marks divide the circle into eighths. This is called the skeleton of the brim; the wires are named front, back, right s

e w

his close to the edge of the pattern and mark on it with pencil where each crease touches it, always keeping the

n edge

the twist. Cut the end off close and press the cut end flat with the pliers. Next finish the center front spoke, then the sides and those in between. A great deal depends upon accuracy in making an

r of

econd headsize wire to the top of these wires, using the same method as for joining the edge wire. This collar may be made very low or as high as the wires will permit. A separate crown

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ches in diameter-for the crown top. Lay the four sticks across this circle dividing it into eight equal sections as at the beginning of the brim, and join to the sticks with tie wire. Cut a piece of brace wire one inch smaller than the headsize wire. Lap the ends and tie thi

ire fo

g shaped it like the headsize wire, on the inside of the spokes at the point marked, beginning at the center back, and finish as any edge wire by twisting the ends of the spokes once and a half around the wire. Press the wires down tight with the pliers. Cut the e

paren

e design of the hat. A finer wire is sometimes used in this case, or a beautiful frame may be made for thin materials by using a satin