38      MAKE YOUR OWN HATS 
the work first to make a paper pattern for every 
hat. A hat is seldom made with all sections of the 
brim of equal width, and this is one important rea- 
son why it is more satisfactory first to make a paper 
pattern. 
 
PATTERN FOR BRIM- 
  Make a pattern the same as for a straight-brim 
sailor, being careful to fold the pattern in halves 
from front to back, and to crease sharply. Fold the 
halves into fourths and the fourths into eighths and 
crease. This is to determine the position of the wire 
spokes in the brim. The eight creases will corre- 
spond to the eight spokes in the brim; this is the 
correct number of spokes. 
 
HEADSIZE WIRE FOR WIRE FRAME- 
  A wire frame needs two headsize wires, so cut 
two just alike, remembering always that the head- 
size wire is the most important wire in any hat, as 
the comfort of the wearer depends upon the meas- 
urements taken for this wire. Measure as for the 
headsize in a fabric hat, lapping the ends one inch, 
and tying them. Try on these wires and shape to