Decorative Straw Work for Hats

Step into the fascinating world of corn dollies, a red-listed and endangered heritage craft, in this hands-on, full-day workshop. You’ll be introduced to traditional straw plaiting techniques alongside finer decorative Swiss straw work, learning how to shape and assemble straw into beautiful ornamental designs. Throughout the day, you’ll create a selection of decorative elements, which can be attached to a straw hat or finished as a standalone ornament. The elements taught will be a ‘cat’s foot’ plait Countryman’s favour, a 4 straw ‘whip plait’ with core,  and a couple of swiss straw items. Participants are encouraged to bring along a favourite straw hat to personalise (please note: hats are not provided), and by the end of the workshop you’ll leave with a unique, handcrafted decoration - and beautifully adorned headwear ready for summer. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in traditional crafts, heritage skills, or simply enjoying a creative and immersive day working with natural materials. You'll get plenty of attention, with a small class size and two tutors on hand to guide you.