EXTREME STRAW HAT MAKEOVER

[Marc Chevalier]

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So inspired was I by the Loungers who have reblocked and "remade" their old hats, that I decided to try my hand at it.

I recently got this milan straw hat from an elderly lady. It was her father-in-law's: he then gave it to her in the 1960s ... and she proceeded to wear it backwards for the next 40 years. Seems to be a pretty old lid. Here is a photo of the hat as I received it:

I decided to reblock the crown and reshape the brim. Using a lot of steam from a kettle, I did the pinching, indenting, and rounding by hand. My goal was to give the hat a circa 1900 colonial look. Here is the result:

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[jamespowers]

Not bad at all. Just try to smile in the next pictures. You looks so stoic and wooden.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Siirous]

I really like the shape of the crown...but how will you carry on it's history of being worn backwards with the brim like that?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

No more of that backwards stuff! lol


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[Marc Chevalier]

Forgot to ask: what do y'all think of the makeover? Of the hat itself?

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[scotrace]

I think it's pretty spiff... I like the crown treatment. But I gotta say I'm most impressed with your ability to completely re-do the shape like that without blocks. Very well done!

 

[Lincsong]

It looks good. But, wearing it backwards? Who was this lady? Any relation? [huh]

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Not bad at all. Just try to smile in the next pictures. You looks so stoic and wooden.

Regards to all,

J

Oh thats just his 'Trying to stay on topic' face.....

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Nice job.

The straw must be considerably more difficult to shape than a soft felt.

 

[DanielJones]

Nice job on the hat. It sure looks a lot like my Peter Bros. Indy Straw I have.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[NewMexExpat]

Successful Makeover.

Nice work. It's surprising to me that a hat that old responded so well to reshaping, especially by hand. Did you use anything to help get the shape of the crown? How soft is that straw?

 

[Russ]

The lady looks great for her age, and the hat looks great on you as well.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Thanks, everyone! Milan straw, being pretty elastic, is not difficult to shape, once it's hot from the steam. The trick is to hold the pinch for about 30 seconds after aiming the steam at the crown. Many seconds of pinching, indenting, and more pinching.


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[SHARPETOYS]

Milan straw

Great job on the handing blocking because that takes alot of skill.:eusa_clap

When you steamed the straw did you notice if the hat had a fresh cut grass smell to it?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

When you steamed the straw did you notice if the hat had a fresh cut grass smell to it?

Yes! It was an incentive to steam some more and ignore the burning feeling in my fingers.

I also noticed that the just-steamed straw felt a little bit sticky. Once it cooled, the stickiness went away.

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[Marc Chevalier]

Wow! What a hat, Daniel!

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[DanielJones]

Why thank you Marc. It started life out as one of Peters Bros. Indy Straw, but I had to immediately re-shape it int what you see there. There was just way too much crown (around 6") for a center dent. It looked like I was wearing one of Abe Lincolns stovepipe tot hats. So with a little steam from the kettle and some patience I did my own free hand 'c' crown. Glad you like it.

I have to say what you did with that vintage straw is mighty fine work in its self. Good Job.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DanielJones]

I also noticed that the just-steamed straw felt a little bit sticky. Once it cooled, the stickiness went away.

The stickieness comes from the light varnish in the straw that helps hold it's shape so well. Just be careful near water rides at amusement parks or under misters. It does tend to soften the varnish hold, but once it dries your back in business.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Its Real

Yes! It was an incentive to steam some more and ignore the burning feeling in my fingers.

I also noticed that the just-steamed straw felt a little bit sticky. Once it cooled, the stickiness went away.

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Great and Thank you

That shows its a real Milan straw hat and not a rice paper woven one with a ton of laquer...