Leslie Massey
The cork hat is a type of hat that was historically worn by farmers, jackaroos, and swagmen in the Australian outback. The wide brim of the hat shields the sun from the wearer's eyes, while the hanging corks keep away flies. In modern times, the cork hat is more of a novelty item and has become an internationally recognized symbol of Australia. To make your own Australian cork hat, you will need a hat, corks, string, scissors, and a needle and thread. First, make holes in the brim of the hat, then tie a cork to a piece of string and thread the other end of the string through the hole. Repeat this process until you have as many corks as you want dangling from the brim.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To shield the wearer from the sun and keep flies away |
| Wearers | Farmers, jackaroos, swagmen |
| Region | Australian outback |
| Materials | Hat, corks, string, scissors, glue or tape, large sheet of card |
| Creation process | Cut out a circle that is large enough to sit on top of your head. Cut out a larger circle to create a "hoop" shape for the brim of the hat. Measure a length of card that can fit around your head. Cut out and glue the tabs to the underside of the hoop. Poke holes in the hat and tie corks to strings before threading them through the holes. |
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What You'll Learn
Making the hat base
To make the hat base for an Australian cork hat, you will need a large sheet of card, glue or tape, string, corks, scissors, and a hat.
First, make your hat base by drawing around a plate or bowl that is just large enough to sit on top of your head. Cut this circle out. Draw around the plate again, and then draw a larger circle about 2-3 inches outside the circle you've just drawn. Cut out the larger circle, and then cut out the inner circle, to give you a "hoop" shape for the brim of the hat.
Next, you'll need to make the headband. Measure a length of card long enough to go around your head and about 2 inches wide. Mark tabs along each side, and cut them out. Bend one set of tabs out, and bend the strip into a circle that fits inside the hoop of card. Stick the tabs to the underside of the hoop. Bend the second set of tabs in and glue them around the edge of the card circle.
Using a hole punch, make several holes around the edge of the hat brim. You can also use scissors to make the holes. Space them about three inches apart, and make six to eight holes, depending on how many corks you want dangling around your hat.
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Cutting and threading the corks
To make an Australian cork hat, you'll need to cut and thread the corks. Start by making a slit in the top and bottom of each cork with a scalpel or knife. Next, cut pieces of string or cotton approximately eight inches long—you'll need the same number of strings as you have corks. Thread one piece of string through the slits in each cork and tie a tight knot at the top to secure the cork in place. You can use a needle to help you thread the string if needed.
Once your corks are prepared, it's time to attach them to the hat. Poke holes around the brim of your hat, spacing them about three inches apart. If you're using a card hat that you've made yourself, you can use a hole punch for this step. For a store-bought hat, carefully push a needle through the underside of the brim, following the existing stitching to avoid making obvious marks.
Now, thread the free end of each string through the holes in the hat and tie a knot to secure the corks in place. You can adjust the length of the string as needed to ensure the corks hang at the desired height. Repeat this process until you have attached as many corks as you want. Feel free to add as many corks as you like—the low density of the cork means that you can hang several without significantly increasing the weight of the hat.
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Tying the corks to the hat
Tying the corks to your hat is a simple process, but it can be fiddly. First, cut your string into lengths of approximately eight inches. Next, tie a cork securely to one end of each piece of string. You can use a scalpel or knife to cut a slit into the top and bottom of the cork, allowing you to pull the string tightly without it slipping. Secure with a knot at the top.
Now, take the other end of the string and thread it through a hole in the hat's brim. You can use a needle to help guide the string, carefully poking it through the underside of the brim in an indent made from the current stitching to avoid any obvious marks. Pull the string through until the cork is dangling freely. Repeat this process for each cork, tying off at the top and cutting off any excess thread.
The number of corks you attach is up to you, but typically, six to eight holes are poked around the brim, approximately three inches apart. You can choose to only add corks to the front half of the brim if you don't want them hanging down the back of your hat. Remember to adjust the measurements as needed so that the corks do not block your eyes.
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Spacing the corks evenly
- Plan the spacing: Before you start attaching the corks, plan how many corks you want to include and how far apart you want them to be. A standard spacing is approximately three inches between each cork, but you can adjust this based on the size of your hat and your personal preference.
- Mark the holes: Using your desired spacing, mark the locations for the holes on the brim of the hat. You can use a pencil or a pen to make small dots or marks along the brim. Make sure to space the holes evenly all the way around the brim for a balanced look.
- Poke the holes: Using scissors or a sharp tool, carefully poke holes through the brim of the hat at the marked locations. Try to make the holes evenly spaced and aligned, as this will affect the final placement of your corks. Cut or poke the holes large enough for your string or thread to fit through easily.
- Attach the corks: Cut equal lengths of string or thread for each cork, making sure they are long enough to tie securely. Tie a cork securely to one end of each string. Then, thread the other end of the string through the holes, ensuring the corks dangle around the brim. Adjust the length of the string as needed to achieve even spacing between the corks.
- Tie off and trim: Once all the corks are attached and spaced evenly, tie secure knots at the top of each string to hold the corks in place. Trim any excess thread for a neat finish.
By following these steps and planning the spacing in advance, you can ensure that your corks are evenly distributed around the brim of your Australian cork hat. This will create a visually appealing and functional hat that effectively keeps away flies and insects.
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Adjusting for eye level
The cork hat is a type of hat that was historically worn by farmers, jackaroos and swagmen in the Australian outback. The wide brim of the hat shields the sun from the wearer's eyes, while the hanging corks keep away flies. The measurements mentioned in the instructions are general guidelines and may need adjustments depending on the size of the hat and the wearer's eye level.
To adjust for eye level, consider the following:
Firstly, determine the desired length of the corks. The corks should be long enough to reach the wearer's eyes when hanging from the brim of the hat. This length will vary depending on the size of the hat and the distance between the brim and the wearer's eyes. It is important to ensure that the corks do not block the wearer's vision.
Next, adjust the placement of the holes on the brim of the hat. Instead of placing the holes evenly spaced around the entire brim, consider grouping them towards the sides or back of the hat, avoiding the front section that is closest to the wearer's eyes. This will ensure that the corks hang down at a distance from the wearer's face, preventing any obstruction to their line of sight.
Additionally, you can vary the length of the strings used to tie the corks. By using shorter strings for the corks closest to the front of the hat and gradually increasing the length towards the back, you can create a staggered effect that avoids interference with the wearer's eye level.
Furthermore, consider the thickness or diameter of the corks. Using thinner corks can reduce the overall bulk and minimise the chances of blocking the wearer's peripheral vision. However, ensure that the corks remain effective in keeping away flies and insects.
Lastly, it is important to test and adjust as you go. Try on the hat and move your head in different directions to ensure that the corks do not obstruct your vision at any angle. Make adjustments to the length of the corks or strings as needed to achieve a comfortable fit that balances functionality and visibility.
By following these adjustments, you can ensure that your Australian cork hat provides both protection from the sun and flies while maintaining clear eye level visibility.
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Frequently asked questions
An Australian cork hat is a type of headgear with corks strung from the brim to ward off insects. The low density of cork means a number of pieces may hang from a hat without significantly increasing its weight.
You will need a hat, corks (traditionally bottle corks), string, scissors, a scalpel or knife, and a needle and thread.
First, cut slits into the top and bottom of each cork. Then, tie a piece of string around each cork, pulling tightly and tying off into a knot at the top. Thread your needle, carefully pick up a cork, and poke the needle through the underside of the brim of the hat. Tie off at the top and cut off the excess thread. Repeat until you have added as many corks as you want.
Poke holes around the brim of the hat, approximately three inches apart. If you don't want corks hanging down the back of the hat, you can poke holes just on the front half of the brim. The corks should be positioned so that they do not block your eyes.
Cork hats were traditionally worn by jackaroos and swagmen in the Australian outback to keep flies off their faces. The wide brim of the hat also shielded the wearer's eyes from the sun. Today, the cork hat is more of a novelty item and a symbol of Australia.
