Well, I was hoping for better light to photograph my finished product. Just my luck the sun goes away...I did manage to get a few decent shots yesterday, before a few final tweaks.
Anyways, after deciding to finish it, I spent sone time making a few pugs out of various fabrics, including tie-dyeing a white silk scarf in green and brown, before deciding that all that was just too distracting from the real star of the show, the artistry of the weaver that created the thing all those years ago. So, simple it was. I originally sewed in a grosgrain ribbon for a sweat, but decided it was too flimsy and replaced it with cotton twill. I did dye my ribbon to a dark brown for the band.
The straw itself is amazing. I was afraid at first that it's fineness equalled delicateness, but boy was I mistaken! It is strong, flexible, resilient, and with just a little moistening as pliable as play-doh. It seems to be impervious to everything my ham-hands could do to it in the process of making it resemble a hat. Even with stitching in the sweat twice, not a single straw broke. Open weave helps on that, I'm sure. So, even though I know my work is clumsy compared to the professionals, my stitches are a bit crooked, my bow could be nicer, etc., I am still pretty proud of the finished product.
moehawk Original No. 7
...
As far as a name for this one goes, it's narrowed down to:
The Fino Fino Filipino,
Or,
The Chilla from Manila.
I like both about the same.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style.
