Reshaping a Straw Hat

When decorating hats for dolls, I prefer not to over adorn. I don’t believe my dolls’ hats should weigh them down, but should complement the doll and the costume. No Carmen Miranda conglomerations for me.

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For the second doll, I reshaped a cheap, craft store straw hat.

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I used a simple straw hat, but changed its shape. Since these inexpensive craft store hats are sewn together, not glued, they can be wetted and reshaped. I use either heavy duty thread and a big sharp needle or hair set tape to manipulate the shape.

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For this hat, I used doubled and knotted heavy duty thread. After wetting it thoroughly, I pushed the needle down through the top center of the crown.

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I pushed up the back brim.

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Then, wrapped the thread around the back brim and back through the top center to hold it in place.

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The sides were then folded down and wrapped with the thread.

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Lastly, I wrapped the thread around the front brim to raise it, knotted the thread and left it to dry into the desired shape.

Once it was thoroughly dry, I removed the thread and added one row of lace to the inner brim, like the last hat.

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Using the same pink, double-faced satin ribbon I used on the dress, I wrapped the crown with the ribbon and secured it on one side by stitching through the straw.

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 To make a bow, I wove the ribbon back and forth 5 times onto a threaded needle.

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I secured the bow by stitching through the straw a few times. The part of the ribbon under my thumb was left long to make a tie for the hat. I repeated this on the opposite side, making a bow and leaving a tie.

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For a rosette, I used a purple 4mm silk ribbon (not satin) and ran a gathering stitch along one edge.

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By pulling up both ends of the threads and tying them into a double knot

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I formed a tiny rosette.

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And sewed the rosette over the bows on each side.

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I think she looks rather stylish.

 

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