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[belfastboy]

Any ideas on the going rate to replace a thin ribbon with a 1.5 inch grosgrain?

I have paid $25 at the low end and $30 at the high end. Having no hatter near me it is the postage that costs me just as much as the ribbon. I have also had hatters make me a ribbon/bow, leaving it open ended, they mail it to me and I do the attaching to the hat. I think that cost me $15 or $20.

 

[Rmccamey]

Good info, thank you sir. I have a few hats I need to change ribbons on... make them look new again without the cost of a whole new hat.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I do let the weather dictate to at least some degree. Living up here in the northwest it is a 10 month a year (at least) felt hat climate and the risk of rain keeps my panamas on the shelf for all but the 6 weeks of summer here. I have a couple of light weight felts that are wearable into the summer months on all but the hottest of days. One of the compensations for living in a moderate rain belt climate.

Six weeks of summer !!! [emoji33] [emoji33] [emoji33] . And that's "moderate"?
To me, you're practically an eskimo. [emoji2]


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[Woodtroll]

Good info, thank you sir. I have a few hats I need to change ribbons on... make them look new again without the cost of a whole new hat.

Randy, if you're at all handy with your fingers and can sew on a button, it's not that hard to learn to make a basic ribbon. (Now, some of those works of art that I see on here are a different story! I mean to take nothing away from those ribbon artists by saying, "This is easy!" I'm talking about very basic bows.) Especially if you have a tall, straight crown or you use a 1" or narrower ribbon, where you don't have to steam-iron-curl the ribbon, it only takes some practice to make a decent looking basic hat ribbon. If you are able to do it yourself, you can save a LOT of money in back and forth shipping costs. As Belfastboy mentioned, getting one "pre-made" and installing it yourself is another option that will save shipping.

Now, getting just the right ribbon to do it yourself can be as elusive as figuring out what color a hat is really going to turn out to be...

Good luck!
Regan

 

[Rmccamey]

Yes, thank you Regan. That is an area where I need to take some of my beater hats and do some practice!

I am fortunate to have a few hatters wihin 100 miles, so I'll probably check with at least one of them in person. That would save me shipping if nothing else.

Randy, if you're at all handy with your fingers and can sew on a button, it's not that hard to learn to make a basic ribbon. (Now, some of those works of art that I see on here are a different story! I mean to take nothing away from those ribbon artists by saying, "This is easy!" I'm talking about very basic bows.) Especially if you have a tall, straight crown or you use a 1" or narrower ribbon, where you don't have to steam-iron-curl the ribbon, it only takes some practice to make a decent looking basic hat ribbon. If you are able to do it yourself, you can save a LOT of money in back and forth shipping costs. As Belfastboy mentioned, getting one "pre-made" and installing it yourself is another option that will save shipping.

Now, getting just the right ribbon to do it yourself can be as elusive as figuring out what color a hat is really going to turn out to be...

Good luck!
Regan

 

[Rmccamey]

...and you are correct. Matching the hat color to the ribbon color has become that "thing" that keeps me awake at nights!

Randy, if you're at all handy with your fingers and can sew on a button, it's not that hard to learn to make a basic ribbon. (Now, some of those works of art that I see on here are a different story! I mean to take nothing away from those ribbon artists by saying, "This is easy!" I'm talking about very basic bows.) Especially if you have a tall, straight crown or you use a 1" or narrower ribbon, where you don't have to steam-iron-curl the ribbon, it only takes some practice to make a decent looking basic hat ribbon. If you are able to do it yourself, you can save a LOT of money in back and forth shipping costs. As Belfastboy mentioned, getting one "pre-made" and installing it yourself is another option that will save shipping.

Now, getting just the right ribbon to do it yourself can be as elusive as figuring out what color a hat is really going to turn out to be...

Good luck!
Regan

 

[belfastboy]

Six weeks of summer !!! [emoji33] [emoji33] [emoji33] . And that's "moderate"?
To me, you're practically an eskimo. [emoji2]


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A few years back we did a bike tour in Cuba. Our guide promised to take us to the beach but he began to equivocate as the temperature was only 24 C and far too cold to go to the beach in his opinion. We had to explain to him that where we came from that was a hot summer's day and if we waited for it to get hotter we risked never getting to the beach. He relented.

 

[Bill Hughes]

What is a good thread to use when restitching sweatbands on felts? Do you use the same for straws? I’ve noticed a clear (looks like fishing line) on some customs I have.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

What is a good thread to use when restitching sweatbands on felts? Do you use the same for straws? I’ve noticed a clear (looks like fishing line) on some customs I have.

I’m curious too. I don’t like the monofilament look.


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[scottyrocks]

I use upholstery thread.

If you're using a simple needle and not a stitich awl, do not double up the thread. Use a single length. Otherwise it will most likely show through the ribbon when it's put on.

 

[humanshoes]

All I've ever used for sweatband installation is upholstery thread. Hell, if it'll hold a couch together it should hold a sweatband in. That clear monofilament line that most of the big name hat makers are using to attach ribbons makes sense, I suppose, on the production line where time is money and the thread doesn't have to be changed out for different color ribbons, but to me it's just a short cut and I don't much care for it. I use good quality, dual duty thread for attaching ribbons. The good ladies at the fabric store know that when they see me coming in with a ribbon sample that they will be called upon to help me match up just the right thread color.

 

[scottyrocks]

Yes, I don't use upholstery thread for attaching ribbon. It's too thick and way too visible. Regular thread of a matching color is virtually invisible if you make the stitch small enough.

 

[tsores]

Where does one get a gold impression on the sweatband such as "Made Especially for..."? Or, how do I do it myself?

 

[Steinbockhase]

Where does one get a gold impression on the sweatband such as "Made Especially for..."? Or, how do I do it myself?

I guess you could do it yourself with tools from an old printing press. Putting the individual metal letters on a stamp and then using pressure to imprint the leather sweatband. Afterwards using a paint brush and gold color to fill the letter imprints on the sweatband. Sounds complicated and probably is difficult to get a professional looking result
Best bet is to find somebody who offers this kind of service.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I wonder which brand this liner is from... No other markings

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[Woodtroll]

Where does one get a gold impression on the sweatband such as "Made Especially for..."? Or, how do I do it myself?

The foil (gold or silver) embossing of leather is typically done with heat and pressure, using a thin foil of the color you are after. I would that assume hatbands are, or at least could be, done the same way. An “at home” method would be to get a tool similar to the following, and have a custom stamp made:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/271602...earch_query=hot+foil+stamp&ref=sr_gallery-1-4

Not a small investment, but if you had multiple hats you wanted to “brand” it might be worth it. I know nothing about that particular tool, and offer it only as an example.

Good luck,
Regan

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I know I’ve read it here somewhere, but I can’t find it: If ends of the sweatband, where they butt together, are not sewn is this indicative of a certain era?

Thanks.


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[Bill Hughes]

I know I’ve read it here somewhere, but I can’t find it: If ends of the sweatband, where they butt together, are not sewn is this indicative of a certain era?

Thanks.


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My understanding is generally that’s indicative of pre-1930s.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My understanding is generally that’s indicative of pre-1930s.

Wow! My hat just became a lot more interesting. Thank you.


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[Tukwila]

Wow! My hat just became a lot more interesting. Thank you.


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Yeah, "old."