The majority of the articles and videos below were created for a sort of “Digital Class Handout” for a class I taught last year. There are wonderful books on straw work out there. The books are how I learned some of the info below a few of the others things I had to work out myself, I hope they help you on your straw work journey. At the bottom of this page is a list of some of my favorite books and teachers.
Note: In a personal conversation with Veronica Main I was told that the use of split straw decorations on 18th Century hats is not historically accurate. I was lead astray by a Museum example that is most likely from a later time period or redecorated at a later time period when the Bergère style hats came back into fashion. I’m going to leave the split straw motif articles here but move them to the second half of the page after the appliqué and 3d straw flower articles which are proper for the 18th Century.
18th C and Later Techniques
19thC and Later Split Straw Techniques
Working with Sunhats
Making an 18th C Dutch Straw Hat
Swiss Straw Work: Techniques of a Fashion Industry by Veronica Main
Decorative Straw Craft: Swiss Straw Work, Embroidery and Marquetry by Barbara Fitch
The Book of Wheat Weaving and Straw Craft: From Simple Plaits to Exquisite Designs by Morgyn Owens-Celli