Any suggestions on creating the straw weave texture and pattern of this straw hat in 1/16th scale?

The only way I can come up with is:
(1) Make a form on which the very thin putty for the hat will sit upright. Prevent adhering to the form by applying a thin layer of baking soda.
(2) Roll out and cut the hat brim and put it on the form. Laboriously cut the pattern into the brim. I can't think of a tool that would yield an impression that would look anything like this pattern. I might make a positive template of the pattern and may try using it to repetitively impress the pattern over small areas. A problem with using a template for this pattern is lining up the whorls correctly.
(3) Before the brim dries, pull up the flexed bit and hold it in that position until dry.
(4) Using the hat form and without removing the dry brim, roll out and cut the crown.
(5) Cut the pattern into the crown and/or use the template.
(6) Make the band and fix it in place. Make the cocardes and fix them in place.
(7) Remove the hat and turn it over. Repeat the approach in (2) for the underside of the brim.

Anybody got a better approach?

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan,
What if you tried a fine textured foil as in a cream or yoghurt foil seal, sometimes they have a texture, you could even combine the foil with a putty in areas and try and get the foil to leave the texture on the putty. I think the painting part would be what would make it look like straw. Sorry not to be much help Dan.

Good Luck
Chris.

Thanks Chris and I'll try that! I've found some roller tools that I'm going to try also. The "form" is done so the shape and size of the hat is captured properly. I used thick lead foil for the brim. Couldn't do the flexed bit. I'm going to try to make a straw pattern on the foil. If that works then I may be able to use that as a transfer to underside of the (putty) brim part of the hat. Does any of that make sense?

All the best,
Dan

Forgot to identify the manufacturer of the roller tools.

http://www.tensecondsstudio.com/Products/tools.html

All the best,
Dan

Ive mused on this for a while, Dan and the only way I can think of achieving this is to make a press tool of the correct pattern and impress the detail into the putty - labourious, I know, but I cant think of a quick fix..!

Agreed! Working on that.

All the best,
Dan

Do you have some progress pics to help?

The other idea thats come to mind is finding some textured material that you are happy with and glue this to say a round cylinder object like a pencil or something. Once the desired material has been glued around this and dried just roll or press onto the putty to get the texture. Not sure if this will help Dan but just a thought.
Chris.

No progress pics, Chris. Waiting for the tools to arrive. I like your idea above.

All the best,
Dan

How about coiling up some nylon cord, flat, the glueing this onto a piece of plastic card then making it into a press tool..? Just a thought

"but I cant think of a quick fix..!" Neither can I. I'm not exactly following your nylon cord on plastic card idea. I've never tried to make impressions or texture on nylon cord.

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan
I am a bit late coming to the party, sorry.
As I see it the main difficult thing to overcome is getting the weave pattern on both sides of the brim whilst keeping it in scale.
One of my favourite methods is to buy a cheap artist wooden frame canvas. Either cut it into a disc and use it as it is. Or impress it into some putty.
Hope this is of some help Mate
Keith

Do you know how ropes are coiled on Navy ships - like a large spiral of rope? I thought that may work in a smaller scale to make an impression, or even to apply it to the straw hat itself.....

I think that might work better on the crown. Good idea!

All the best,
Dan

Canvas - excellent idea!
Thanks!

All the best,

Dan