def to_format(self, attr):
        """ Creates an Attribute instance with name, name_format and
        friendly_name

        :param attr: The local name of the attribute
        :return: An Attribute instance
        """
        try:
            _attr = self._to[attr]
        except KeyError:
            try:
                _attr = self._to[attr.lower()]
            except:
                _attr = ''

        if _attr:
            return factory(saml.Attribute,
                           name=_attr,
                           name_format=self.name_format,
                           friendly_name=attr)
        else:
            return factory(saml.Attribute, name=attr)
Creates an Attribute instance with name, name_format and
        friendly_name

        :param attr: The local name of the attribute
        :return: An Attribute instance