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Messages
19,425
Location
Funkytown, USA
I hate to change the subject, but I have a question regarding hat coloring. I have a nice 50/50 beaver/hare western in Silverbelly.
I love the hat and sometimes think of getting a duplicate made in either pecan or whiskey. I also have wondered if it's possible to dye a felt hat? If it is possible, how does it look? Will it bleed color if it gets wet? Thanks for your time and input!

The downside is it would require a complete teardown and rebuild.
 
Messages
11,376
Location
Alabama
I several questions and hope this is the right place. I would like a new hat, I have a 4X western Stetson in 7 1/2 long oval which is now a bit small. I have had it since the mid 1970's. I have not worn it in some time and have mainly worn Kangol flat caps but now would like something between the 2. Problem, who still offers a long oval in a fedora? Living in north central Mississippi limits choices in actual shops any suggestions on the wonderful internet?
Thanks
Pavementends

If you're up for a road trip about an hour from Memphis, here is a shop.
 
Messages
10,848
Location
vancouver, canada
The downside is it would require a complete teardown and rebuild.
I just completed an experiment where I dyed a white (undyed) beaver western hat. It worked out okay on the colour using a good quality acid dye.
The downside is that the dye process requires hot water. I removed the ribbon and liner but tried to work around the leather sweat and that did not work. The hot water and the duration of the dye process destroyed the leather band. (I was warned but thought it worth a try to work around it) it is now with Mike at NW Hats for the rebuild. When it came out of the dye bath it almost looked like what the original felt looked like prior to being made into a hat. It was a felt cape. While wet I placed it on my hat block to retain the shape and ironed the brim flat. Once it dried it resembled the hat it was prior to the dye job.
It will probably cost me close to a new custom hat for the brim to be cut down, the reblocking, ribbon, and sweat but it was a fun process and noble experiment.
 
Messages
19,425
Location
Funkytown, USA
I just completed an experiment where I dyed a white (undyed) beaver western hat. It worked out okay on the colour using a good quality acid dye.
The downside is that the dye process requires hot water. I removed the ribbon and liner but tried to work around the leather sweat and that did not work. The hot water and the duration of the dye process destroyed the leather band. (I was warned but thought it worth a try to work around it) it is now with Mike at NW Hats for the rebuild. When it came out of the dye bath it almost looked like what the original felt looked like prior to being made into a hat. It was a felt cape. While wet I placed it on my hat block to retain the shape and ironed the brim flat. Once it dried it resembled the hat it was prior to the dye job.
It will probably cost me close to a new custom hat for the brim to be cut down, the reblocking, ribbon, and sweat but it was a fun process and noble experiment.

I appreciate that. Takes a bit to learn new things. I've been known to dive in without worrying about the outcome just because I want to figure it out. Haven't done anything that couldn't be fixed, however (crosses fingers).
 

SknyBlt

New in Town
Messages
10
Location
Tennessee
Thanks for the responses!
I kinda figured it would be a big job. I like the hat, as is, too much to go through all that. I'll probably have another made, in a darker color, down the road. I commend your attempt to dye your hat yourself belfastboy. Sounds like a fun project! I've got too much into this hat to risk an, oops!
 
Messages
10,848
Location
vancouver, canada
Thanks for the responses!
I kinda figured it would be a big job. I like the hat, as is, too much to go through all that. I'll probably have another made, in a darker color, down the road. I commend your attempt to dye your hat yourself belfastboy. Sounds like a fun project! I've got too much into this hat to risk an, oops!

I bought the hat new on Ebay for $29 and it sells for $400 on Schepplers site so it was a score. But a white, 4 1/2" brim cowboy hat is not my cuppa tea. From a dollar risk it was minimal but I did not want the waste of a some good beavers to be by my hands so I engaged in it with much trepidation I am hoping that Mike can work his magic and send me back a wearable hat!
 

Sasha149

New in Town
Messages
2
Hello,

I'm looking for a beach hat! A Panama Jack Fedora Straw hat with unfinished brim! I have enclosed a photo below! Thanks for your help all, I have been looking for some time now.
 

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moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
When you go antiquing, or shopping for vintage hats at the local thrift store, vintage store, or estate sale, do you ever wear a hat you got a good deal on previously for luck?

Or am I the only one?

every single time

we need to have a beer ... we have many things in common
 
Messages
19,425
Location
Funkytown, USA
every single time

we need to have a beer ... we have many things in common

For the longest time I'd wear my Royal Stetson my wife found for me at an estate sale last spring. Now I have a few "lucky" ones I pull from the pile to go shopping. Those are my plans for tomorrow, digging for gold as it were.

What makes you think I'd be up for a beer?

Picture8.png


I gotta get over to Jersey sometime soon. Actually, my best friend lives in New Haven. Maybe we need to go bird shopping!
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
For the longest time I'd wear my Royal Stetson my wife found for me at an estate sale last spring. Now I have a few "lucky" ones I pull from the pile to go shopping. Those are my plans for tomorrow, digging for gold as it were.

What makes you think I'd be up for a beer?

View attachment 45649

I gotta get over to Jersey sometime soon. Actually, my best friend lives in New Haven. Maybe we need to go bird shopping!

nothing more than a hunch that you enjoy suds topping nectar .... and I could use a bird or two

that of course would mean a trip to DelMonico
 

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