Ecuadorian toquilla straw hats are considered one of the most influential artisan jewels in the international market, so it is necessary that you know how to distinguish the quality of a fine hat from an export one before making your purchase.
1.- Selection of the raw material: the best hats made in Montecristi are woven with the best strands of toquilla straw, that is to say that of all the head that is extracted, only the middle strands are used to make fine hats.
2.- Fineness of the hat: according to the threads that can be removed from a strand, it will be determined how many degrees a hat will have, so if it is finer, its processing time will be longer.
3.- Color uniformity: an authentic Montecristi hat retains its authentic color of toquilla straw, but on certain occasions at the client’s request it goes through a process to make it white or a specific color that the client requires.
4.-Quality of its fabric: one of the most important characteristics is how a hat is woven, although the position in which this artisan jewel begins has a lot of influence, this results in an excellent quality hat with a tight and super tight fabric. fine that will be of very good resistance according to care.
5.- Designation of origin: The seal of the designation of origin certifies that the hat was made entirely in Montecristi.
Generally, a Panama hat Montecristi (Panama Hat) excellent quality is distinguished only by the shape of the tissue as it is this parameter is the one that gives value added fine Panama hat, stressing that the more quality is fine and hat, the higher your cost.
In addition, another aspect to consider is the characteristic color of the Panama hat Montecristi (Panama Hat), since it is always beige natural, however, may be the case that, at the request of customers, can be processed a straw hat pure white shawl.
The straw hats Basin are usually those who come in any color.
¿WHAT ARE THE GRADE IN A STRAW HAT THIN TOQUILLA?
It grade of a Montecristi toquilla straw hat is determined by the number of stitches or threads made in the hat fabric per linear inch, whether horizontal or vertical.
To know the total number of linear stitches, we proceed to add the number of horizontal or vertical stitches.
This system is known as Montecristi Cuenta or Mc, used mainly to determine the degree of fineness of the Montecristi toquilla straw hat.
Normally, and for a better understanding of the client, the degree of preparation is shown in the detail and characteristics of each hat.
Classification of the Hat Montecristi (Panama Hat)
In Montecuadorhats fine straw hats toquilla Montecristi are classified into three broad ranges, also classified as world super fine hat, hat extra fine and ultra fine hat by grade are as follows:
Fine Hats
They are characterized by having a degree that goes from grade 13 to 20, whose approximate processing time is from 3 weeks to two months.
Premium Hat – Super Fine
They are characterized by having a degree that goes from grade 21 to 30, whose approximate preparation time is 2-6 months.
Golden Hats- Extra Fine
They are characterized by having a degree that goes from grade 31 to 60, whose preparation time is approximately 7 months to a year.
The Montecristi Hat, are made on the Coast whose climate is very hot and causes the selected toquilla to dry out and break, it also only allows weaving in the early morning hours, a part of morning and night.
The correct posture to make an original fine hat is unique, the person places his chest inclined downwards where there is a support (popularly called a burrito) accompanied by the hat to be made.
Toquilla Straw Hat Export Quality
In Ecuador, toquilla straw hats are also found in Cuenca where they make natural and processed hats in higher quantities, the grades in these hats range from 1 to 5, they are characterized by their processing time, which can last from 2 to 5 days. , which can be made faster, because the toquilla straw is transported to the Ecuadorian highlands, where the cold climate keeps the fiber from breaking, allowing the artisans to weave in different positions and anywhere during the day.
Types of Fabric For Export Hats
Next we will show you the two export qualities that are most offered in the world:
The fabric is characterized by sequential points single stranded
The fabric is characterized as stronger and resistant by two sequential strands.
