Panama Hat Blocking

An interesting part of making the Panama hats is the blocking. So, what really is the blocking. This is a process where a Panama hat is given its final shape. This method of hat blocking was done by hand but it is vanishing into extinction. But most of the Montecristi Hats are hand blocked unlike the Cuenca hats that are done through machinery.

Hat blocking brings out the real beauty of the Panama Straw Hats. And through blocking, you will get the different style of the Panama hats. Hat blocking is an art. When carefully done, it can give you the best Panama Hats, if not then it will spoil all the hard works done on weaving. The real recognition of the Panama hat blocking will be understood when you compare a blocked hat with an unblocked one.

If you want to put your hands on the real unique Panama Straw Hat, then the one that has been blocked by hand will be it. Hand blocking truly is a fine art. It is endangered but some few artisans are trying to revive the hand blocking method today. What is so important about hand blocking the Panama Hat is that it brings out the true essence of the whole process of the Panama Straw Hat weaving. The Panama Straw Hats takes a long process to weave by hand and finishing it with machine blocking does not pay full credit to the whole thing.

The process of hand blocking can take a lot of work and requires tools and techniques. The natural hand blocking is what makes the Montecristi Hats famous for its shape. It does have a lasting unique shape. It may be an old fashion way but when you wear the hand blocked Montecristi Hat, you will get a feel that can’t be expressed with words. Once the Panama Hats are hand block, it can be re-blocked again.

So hand blocking a Panama Straw Hat in a way gives full respect to the long process of hand weaving method. Next time you buy it make sure it is hand blocked.