A DeanGlen original...

[RBH]

I just recieved a BCF hat from Dean, and WOW... well I'll let the photo speak for itself

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/3741/deanglencv5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

He did a great job on the band and just check out that bound edge. In a few years we may be saying '' yeah I knew ol' Dean back when.''
Thanks Dean for a great job. And it sure is fine to see someone show his love of hats, with folks like you we need not fear the demise of fedoras !

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[DOUGLAS]

HUMMMM, seems we have another player. Nicely done Dean.

 

[ideaguy]

Whoa there!! Dean, what are you doing out there in the snowbelt? I want one
too! That's one fine looking hat-BCF stock? fill us in with some photos- the ribbon/bound edge combo are really striking; you're making giant strides-congratulations on work well done!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Baron Kurtz]

DeanGlen is making hats now?

That looks like a nice 'un.

bk

 

[Mr. Lucky]

GREAT job, Dean! I should have left mine to your devices! Very, very nice.

 

[feltfan]

Ooh, he sewed a brim binding on it. Makes my
fingers ache just looking at that. I am too scared
to do that!

Get this man a set of blocks to fix that taper, though!

 

[deanglen]

The felt is fur, not beaver, but rough and heavy as a hangover on January 1st, the sweatband is fabric and there is no liner, but all I was going for was a "beater" with style. I shaved the thing all over with a disposable Bic razor to "pounce" it, sandpaper didn't seem to work as well, but I was rushing to get it done. Minute examination of the bound edge would reveal variation in stitch length and non-alligned stitching, but again I was rushing. Oh, and that angle on the hat is probably the best, from the side you'd notice a bit of taper that even I can't say appeals to me, but I found out after I shipped it that a center dent versus a C-crown reduces it just a bit. I'm also glad a vintage hat didn't have to sacrifice itself for this experiment, and a BCF hat looks its best. I hope RBH posts a few shots wearing it, HEMMINGWAY JONES is so right, the proof of the aesthetic is in the wearing. Thank you, fellow Loungers, for you're appreciation. I sincerely hold you all in very high regard, and your kind words resonate deeply with me. And now, onto the next one...

dean

 

[Mr. Lucky]

And now, onto the next one...

dean

Uh, gee, well...uh...can I send the one you got me...back for the Dean Treatment?






I know, too late.

 

[deanglen]

Ooh, he sewed a brim binding on it. Makes my
fingers ache just looking at that. I am too scared
to do that!

Get this man a set of blocks to fix that taper, though!

Would a block take care of that? I pushed the crown out and steamed it as round as I could and the open crown aleady had a taper to it. Ignorance of the art will dog me for many days, that, and a lack of the prorper material and equipment. The biggest challenge on the brim binding was going slowly and deliberately enough, first in one direction, then the other to imitate a machine lock stitch, and keep it stright and even. It isn't. Not like it should be. The next will be better.

dean

 

[feltfan]

Would a block take care of that? I pushed the crown out and steamed in as round as I could and the open crown aleady had a taper to it.

I am not a hat maker. But I do believe that you can
block it out. Of course if it then gets wet... A center
dent instead of the C-crown would help, too, but should
not be necessary.

But don't get me wrong- that hat already looks much better
than it should, given what you started with. Great work! :eusa_clap

 

[Dinerman]

Are there any "before" pictures?

 

[deanglen]

Whoa there!! Dean, what are you doing out there in the snowbelt? I want one
too! That's one fine looking hat-BCF stock? fill us in with some photos- the ribbon/bound edge combo are really striking; you're making giant strides-congratulations on work well done!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

IDEAGUY, as far as I know I can't PM to your PM until you clean out your in-box, but your answers are,1) I DID get your last PM and I thank you the wedding went well, and 2) AS far as I'm concerned I'll work with anybody to put togther "beaters" like this, to supplement their "vintage" collection when they're simply looking for a stylish hat to save wear and tear on their esteemed hat cousins.

dean

 

[deanglen]

Are there any "before" pictures?

I wish there were, but I don't own a digital camera. It was basically a brown fedora, black grosgrain pugaree about an 5/8" wide at it's widest with a block center dent and shallow side front dents, no pinch, no brim binding. The ribbon I chose came form Jo-Ann fabrics, color named "mudpie" looks goldish, but antique gilding in effect.

dean

 

[deanglen]

I am not a hat maker. But I do believe that you can
block it out. Of course if it then gets wet... A center
dent instead of the C-crown would help, too, but should
not be necessary.

But don't get me wrong- that hat already looks much better
than it should, given what you started with. Great work! :eusa_clap

Thanks, Feltfan. I just don't think the hat has enough felt in the crown as it was originally stretched to get rid of the taper...but you know, you've given me a great idea. Is there a procedure more radical than re-blocking? Would it be a "re-stretching"? I wonder.

dean

 

[Benny Holiday]

Nice work Deanglen!

Thanks for posting the pic and bringing our talented friend's work to our attention, RBH.

 

[Feraud]

Nice job deanglen!

 

[The Duke]

Wow, very nice work dean!

 

[feltfan]

Is there a procedure more radical than re-blocking? Would it be a "re-stretching"? I wonder.

I think mthatter posted some pix of a machine that does that...
Can be done... as I recall the machine is designed with many
"fingers" to pull the hat evenly.

I want to say for the record that you are braver than I am.
But I am inspired in my little way and will try my hand at my
first removal, cleaning, and sewing of a vintage liner.

 

[spiridon]

Nice work Dean! I am a little envious of you guys who are able to actually work on hats. I'm afraid I am totally inept at such things and will have to be satisfied to marvel at your abilities.

 

[Joel Tunnah]

...I shaved the thing all over with a disposable Bic razor to "pounce" it...

Ha! I love it.

I saw an old cowboy movie once where the main character was shaving his cowboy hat with a straight razor. Now I see why.

Joel