How to make this hat just from leaves ?

Harvest leaves, but be careful : they are really sharp ! Work small series of 10 leaves.

Split the leaves in 2, by pulling the two halves with the left hand (for a right-hander), then split each half in two again.

Roll the split leaves tight around a branch (a glass does the job), and let them dry. For this step, it’s better if there are not too many strands, hence the series of 10 leaves.

Thanks to this molding, the strands don’t make tubes.

Wait until the leaves are dry. Otherwise, as the leaves shrink when drying, the braid will be loose.

When they are dry, dip them into water to make them workable. Then make a flat weaving with the strands, starting with the spiral 5 strands braid for the top of the hat, followed by 5 strands braid.

Make a small needle by thinning a thorn and making a thin split with the knife … or with a dry thorn.

Prepare sewing thread from leaves, by splitting, re-splitting, … and let it dry.

Sew the braid on itself, without piercing the leaves (the thread should go between the strands of the braid).

The tension of the free end will shape the hat. If it's not ok, undo.

The video, 12mn04

(youtube)