Machine stitched straw braid hat

Making hats in the traditional basketry method requires practised skills and negotiation with materials. Plaited straw braids is a much simpler cottage industry, where the braids are sold to hat makers to stitch new hats according to fashion.
Since the 17th Century, straw braiding for hats has been an important trade in the Luton district of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. By the late 19th century, vast quantities of plaits were exported to England from Canton ( Guangdong), China, and in the United States most of the straw plait was imported, unknown as “ Canton Braids”.