Hat Plait
Straw hat plaiting for the hat industry, Swiss straw work techniques, Straw marquetry, Straw embroidery, Decorative straw work including straw figures. Traditional Harvest Tokens/Corn Dollies. Independent Researcher and Hat Industry Historian.
Contact
Buckinghamshire
England
About
Although I am an expert maker in many aspects of straw work, my passion is the Straw Hat Industry. For nearly fifty years I have researched the industry and learned the traditional straw plaiting techniques. I am the last full time plaiter and determined the skills will not die with me.
My research has taken me to the USA and to many countries in Europe where as well as undertaking research I have taught and lectured. I have a close association with the Schweizer Strohmuseum in Wohlen, Switzerland.
From 2007 until my retirement in 2015, I was a curator in charge of the Hat Industry and Headwear collection at Culture Trust Luton and helped to identify and promote this unique collection.
Over the years I have appeared on TV, radio and film either as a specialist contributor, as a maker or by providing props. Hat Plaiting has now been recognised as a Critically Endangered Craft on the HC Red List.
My educational website: hatplait.co.uk and regular posts on Instagram @hat.plait are intended to pass on reliable information to a wider audience.
Straw Plaiting Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets was published around the world by Herbert Press (Bloomsbury Publishing) in 2023 and has been a great success as it fills a need for history and wide-ranging instructions not previously filled. It contains instructions for making 56 traditional hat plaits many not previously available.
Swiss Straw Work, Techniques of a Fashion Industry is my comprehensive instruction book covering techniques used in the Swiss hat materials manufacturing industry. It is published in Switzerland as Zauberhaftes Stroh.
As co-author of an instructional book for making Corn Dollies, A Handful of Straw remains popular. I have written several ethnographic research papers detailing the history of working with straw.
At the moment I am busy working on my next book which will be published in 2026 by Bloomsbury Academic - Fashion.
I am very proud to be a:
Queen Elizabeth Scholar (QEST)
Wingate Scholar
I am a Founder member or member of:
British Hat Guild.
Dress and Textiles subject specialist group (DATS):
Straw Craftsmen (UK)
National Association of Wheat Weavers (NAWW) USA
California Straw Arts Group (CSAG) in the USA.
Braids Society
Basketmakers Association
In July 2024 the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers awarded me their certificate for:
Outstanding Contribution of Basketmaking.
Mini craft gallery
