Spreuers are shapes that are made by wrapping straw splints around a comb then sliding it off when dry. They are endlessly variable. This hat is decorated with three types.
This period hat from the National Trust has straw thread lace with spreuers every so often.
Turns out this hat might not be 18th C or at least all the decorations on it and not 18th C.
What you will need. Two or three straw splints that have been soaked are still damp. A darning needle, some scissors and a dog comb.
You need to drag you split across the back edge of your scissors as you would do if you are curling ribbon or Ostrich plumes. You will know if your sprint is ready if it gets soft and starts to curl. Do not use too much pressure.
Weave the splint thru the tines of the comb with the pith side up when you look at the comb from the side and the shaft is on your right if you are left handed.
Wrap the straw up the back side to between 11 and 12.
Slip it between 11 and 12. I’m left handed so I usually hold the comb in my right hand. The spreuers are the same.
You always start each set of wraps on the right. For the left handed it will be between the first wrap and the shaft of the comb. For the right handed it will be between the first and the opening of the teeth. In this spreuer the second one is at 9 the picture is taken from the back side.
As you can see the spreuer looks the same just the position of the shaft is different.
Make another wrap at 9 on the left side.
Another wrap is made on tooth 7. Seen from the back.
I made another set at 4 and 2. This picture is from the back.
To finish off you need to tie a knot. To do this you need to feed the free end of the straw between the surface layers of straw and the teeth of the comb from left to right. This picture is from the back.
This will create a loop which you then feed the free end thru. This picture is from the back.
Pull on the first loop to make it smaller. This picture is from the back.
Then pull on the free end until the know it tight enough to hold things together. This picture is from the back.
If you have 3 or 4 extra inches of straw you can create a stem with wire inside.
Use the needle to pull the wire thru the middle of the straw layers between teeth of the comb.
Fold the wire in half and twist the ends to create a stem.
Pin a large pin thru the layers of straw.
Wrap the twisted wire and the pin with the straw.
Clip the end and wait for it to dry.
Trim off the extra.
When dry remove the pin. You can add a dot of glue to the inside end of the straw to help it stay together at the bottom.