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To elaborate a Panama
Hat the resistant and flexible fibre of a palmtree without stem is used("Cardulovica
Palmata"), known as "toquilla". This name was given
by the Pizarro men in 1531, and comes from the spanish
word"toca". This raw material can be found in the seaside zones
of Ecuador, where the climate conditions are ideal for its growth
and development.
The localities worldwide known for the manufacturing of the panama hats
are Montecristi y Jipijapa (both in the state of Manabi), where
expertise weavers begin its work early in the morning or at the end of the
day, so that the ecuatorial hot don't reduce the flexibility of the fibres,
and they don't get broken.
A great quality hat can take eight months to be fully elaborated, and has
so short fibres, that makes very difficult to see where begins one and
finish the other. In an authentic Panama the fibres are so tight that the
water can't transfix it.
Each hat is unique because is weaved by hand and the quality of the hat is
related to the fineness and regularity of the weave, and to the uniformity
of the colour. The highs grade fibres are selected by hand depending on
its flexibility and mildness.
The proccess of elaborate the hat begins weaving the crown corkscrew and
the fibres are being intertwined until the desire diameter is achieved.
After this, is placed on a cylindric last to elaborate (also corkscrew)
the sides. From time to time, the hat is laid, still not finished, on a
plank and with a shell the fibres are scoured. After a lot of weeks of
work, we arrive to the brim of the hat, which is weaved in right
angle. After this comes the process of finish, when the fibres that sticks
out are cut. To end, the wash and blanch, resulting the famous Panama Hat.
Lots of artisans sell their hats before being finished, and then are taken
to some shops or manufactures, where the finish is done and several stiles
and models are done. There are hydraulic machies used for refine the hats,
giving them the finish and whiteness. With these machines the final
definition of the hat is achieved. Once finished the Panama of the
calendering, the skeepskin is sewed inside. This is done to make that the
hat adjusts to the head of the carrier and to avoid the hat to be stained
with perspiration.
What gives the Panama Hat its worth? The quality of the fibre, the thick
weave, its handmade elaborations, the time it takes to be weaven and the
life of a well done hat. |
