Tricorn Construction Question

[Mick MacAnselan]

Having made a couple of tricorns from blanks, which I trimmed with 'glued' on mettalic braid, I want to try something a little more challenging, like sewing on a fabric 'ribbon' trim. So the question is... what kind of material would be suitable, and how should I go about sewing it? Do you sew it on before or after steaming and tacking the sides? And do you fold it over the edge of the brim and sew it to both sides, or just sew it flat on the 'outside' side? Also, hand or machine, and what kind of stitch? TIA!

[Pirate Petee]

Hmmm. I have made a few tri-corns myself, but never have I sewed any thing to them or glued for that mater. Once I have them tied up and shapped I coat them in a bee's wax kind of stuff, it gives them a really worn and authentic look. I forget what the stuff is called, but you can get it at a hardware store, usually in the paint section.

[Mick MacAnselan]

Once I have them tied up and shapped I coat them in a bee's wax kind of stuff, it gives them a really worn and authentic look. I forget what the stuff is called, but you can get it at a hardware store, usually in the paint section.

Petee,

If you can remember what the stuff is called, I'd be much obliged.

[Mick MacAnselan]

Hmmm. I have made a few tri-corns myself, but never have I sewed any thing to them or glued for that mater.

I was thinking about trimming something like in this picture from GoF's site.

[Pirate Petee]

You'll have ta find Black John, he would know about that.

[hurricane]

Go to a fabric store, pick your trim. Pin it to the tricorn. Sewing it is easy. Use an upholstery needle to get through the thick hat material (thimbles help). Just keep working your way around. Have the two ends meet in the back. Tie off the thread occasionally so that if something comes undone you don't lose the whole thing. I've had my trim on for 15 years now using this method. Don't, repeat don't, glue the trim....

-- Hurricane

[Ace of Harbor Bay]

fabric stores sell edging that is already folded

I personally would add it prior to the folding and such

Of course I would use a sewing machine but then again I'm a lazy "Hollywood Pirate"

[Pirate Petee]

"Hollywood Pirate"

Thar be no such thing mate, pirates be pirates.

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Trims are a conundrum as what we have available at our modern fabric shops are not exactly what was available during the GAoP. Finding period style metalic trims for hats and coats is a challenge.

The trim you see on the picture from my site is a wool hat with a period style worsted wool twill tape. You can find some in several colors from Wooded Hamlet.

If you need more close ups of the tricorne, I have a hastily prepared Tricorne/Cocked Hat page

Good luck

GoF

[Red-Handed Jill]

Of course, you could age your trim to make it a tad more authentic. Me mate Iron Jack found some lovely trim and singed it a bit before attaching it to his hat (singed the feathers and added a "bullet hole" to it as well.)

[crimson corsair]

Hi Mick MacAnselan!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait ta see at pirate weekend at MDRF.

Find the trim you like and fold it over and iron it.It is not to hard to sew to a blank. and like hurricane said,make sure you start and stop at the back of the hat.

see ya

[blackjohn]

You'll have ta find Black John, he would know about that.

Harrr! Thankee kindly sir fer yer vote o' confidence, I be agreein' with what the other fine lads 'ere be a sayin'.

[Mick MacAnselan]

The trim you see on the picture from my site is a wool hat with a period style worsted wool twill tape.  You can find some in several colors from  Wooded Hamlet.

GoF,

Thanks for the links! I was looking at the woodedhamlet site and I see they have both "Heavy Worsted Hat Braid" and the "Worsted Wool Twill Tape". To my (inexperienced) eye, the "Hat Braid" looks more like the trim on your hat than the "Twill Tape" does, but I can convince myself either way. Are you certain that yours is the Twill Tape? I want to make sure I get the right stuff... don't know if one is easier to work with, etc. TIA!

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Mick

I bought my hat when I lived in England. At the time, it was referred to as worsted wool twill tape.

I don't think you could go wrong with either, as Wooded Hamlet hat braid looks pretty freakin good too!

The way they describe it, it may be easier to apply to the curve of the hat.

Good luck, and sorry for the confusion.

[blackjohn]

Go with the hat braid. If I read their site correctly, the hat braid is the right width at 1.5". The widest twill tape seems to be only 7/8".

[Gentleman of Fortune]

They do have 1.5" twill tape... though its probably a moot point as I agree you should go with the hat braid...

You have to scroll down to the bottom to see

#02-150, 1 1/2" wide - $ 4.75/yard

#02-875, 7/8" wide - $3.00/yard

#02-500, 1/2" wide - $2.50/yard

#02-375, 3/8" wide - $ 2.40/yard

Please post pictures of your hat when you finnish!

GoF

[blackjohn]

Yeah, I saw that, and was wondering if it was just a misprint, since they don't actually say what colors are available for the width.

And I agree, lets see some pics when it is done!

[blackjohn]

Also, anyone interested in hats, or anything else about the period for that matter, will probably want to visit Nicole Kipar's site. Take a look at these, for instance...

http://www.kipar.org/military-history/kirk...orms_1700s.html

[Mick MacAnselan]

All,

Thanks for all the advice. I just ordered some black 1-1/2" Twill Tape, since they are out of stock on the hat braid. I'm going to try it out first on a black felt hat I made a while back with metallic trim. I recently 'waterproofed' it with thinned shellac, and when it dried, the edges sort of 'flared'. Neat look, but the metallic braid didn't fare well. So I'll make a reclamation project out of it when the twill tape arrives. I'll post a pic when the time comes. Thanks again!

[CaptKonnan]

This may seem a dumb question but does anyone know where to find a pattern for making your own tricorn hat?The only patterns I kind find are big round kinda muskateer looking hats with big feathers,any help would be great. :angry:

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Not sure what you mean by "pattern" CK...

A three cornered hat is just that. Most people get a hat "blank" and fold three sides up. You can tack the sides up with some linen thread.

If you check out my Tricorne Page you might get a better understanding....

But if you mean "how do you make a tricorne hat from scratch"...

Well that is a horse of a different colour.

Assuming you mean a period wool felt hat, you would need to get a pound or so of sheeps wool batts or roving. Its cleaned sheeps wool that is either in clumps (batts) or in kind of a roll (roving).

You "felt" the wool by using warm water and soap. You lay a matrix of wool down, one layer, then another at 90 degrees, then another layer 90 degrees excetera. Then you soak it with soapy water. The soapy water helps the individual wool "hairs" to stretch out its "fingers" and mesh with surrounding hair. Its kind of like making wool dread locks.

You use gentle agitation (like putting it between two towels and rolling it up applying pressure.

The end result is that you have a "sheet" of wool felt.

You then shape the sheet of wool felt into what is known as a felt hood (its what it is before its a "hat blank" you could also just google "felt hoods" and start the hat making process from there).

Then, using steam and a form, you shape the hood into a hat. fold up the sides and viola! Tricorne.

Now, this is a simplification of the process, but that is generally what you do.

If you are itching to try it for your self, I would definately google :

Felt making

Hat making

Wool Bats

Felt Hood

Felt Hat Blanks

And definately post pictures of your progress.

GoF

[CaptKonnan]

Thank ya very much...but seein as how I dont have a sheep around .....me thinks that Capt Jacks Hats will be the way for me sir....thanks again and have a bottle of me finest rum fer yer trouble

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

I dunno about makin it yerself but if ye be lookin for a great hat to buy, I would check out Captjackspiratehats.com I just purchased a hat from The MacKay and was not dissapointed.