First attempt at hat shaping...how'd I do?

[addison]

Well, with considerable encouragement from my brothers and sisters on this forum I have attempted to steam/shape a hat.

The hat is a $5 cowboy hat from a local thrift shop. It is a Resistol 4X grey hat that featured a typical wide brim and cattleman crease crown.

I bought this hat to experiment and learn on. For $5, why not?

I started by trimming the brim. I traced the size I wanted from a different hat, taking about 3/4" off but leaving slightly more on the front and back.

Then I simply used a teapot to steam and then reshape the crown to a teardrop. I did this with the help of a video that Michael R introduced me to. Thanks, brother!

Let me know what you think...suggestions welcome!!

God bless!

The color is grey, like these next three photos....

And this is me, daring to wear this thing...lol

Well, what do you think?

 

[Bob Roberts]

From what I can see u did well. The crown and pinches look nice. The brim curl looks good too though I can see a little unevenness in the brim trim.

 

[jlee562]

Much better than my first attempt!

 

[addison]

From what I can see u did well. The crown and pinches look nice. The brim curl looks good too though I can see a little unevenness in the brim trim.

I just did it with scissors...is there a proper tool to trim a brim?

 

[javadave61]

Beautiful! Be proud.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I just did it with scissors...is there a proper tool to trim a brim?

Yes but I have no idea what its called. Lol.

 

[EstherWeis]

A rounding jack.
Bit there is no meed to buy one if you're just gonna do this every once in a while.
Just grab some fine sanding paper and keep sanding until it's smooth and round.
You did really well!!

 

[Wesslyn]

Excellent! And for 5 bucks, I'm super jealous. Resistol's my favorite brand

 

[LuvMyMan]

Well, with considerable encouragement from my brothers and sisters on this forum I have attempted to steam/shape a hat.

The hat is a $5 cowboy hat from a local thrift shop. It is a Resistol 4X grey hat that featured a typical wide brim and cattleman crease crown.

I bought this hat to experiment and learn on. For $5, why not?

I started by trimming the brim. I traced the size I wanted from a different hat, taking about 3/4" off but leaving slightly more on the front and back.

Then I simply used a teapot to steam and then reshape the crown to a teardrop. I did this with the help of a video that Michael R introduced me to. Thanks, brother!

Let me know what you think...suggestions welcome!!

God bless!

The color is grey, like these next three photos....

And this is me, daring to wear this thing...lol

Well, what do you think?

It looks great and looks great on you as well! Not sure but the edge of the brim, did you sand it at all? It there are any tid bits uneven from your cut you can smooth them out with sand paper.

 

[addison]

It looks great and looks great on you as well! Not sure but the edge of the brim, did you sand it at all? It there are any tid bits uneven from your cut you can smooth them out with sand paper.

A rounding jack.
Bit there is no meed to buy one if you're just gonna do this every once in a while.
Just grab some fine sanding paper and keep sanding until it's smooth and round.
You did really well!!

Sandpaper...great idea...thanks!

 

[Frunobulax]

I think it looks great, Addison. As for the brim, listen to Esther (of course). Then you can tell everybody you're now adept at pouncing.

 

[Benzadmiral]

You've given an old Resistol a new identity and a new life . . . sort of like rescuing a stray cat, I guess! Looks very good.

 

[DOGMAN]

Great first try.Becareful.... converting westerns can become addicting.

 

[addison]

Great first try.Becareful.... converting westerns can become addicting.

I can buy them super-cheap up here in Wisconsin...this ain't "cowboy country"...and I'm thinking it's a good way to get good quality material to work with!

 

[RJR]

A rounding jack.
Bit there is no meed to buy one if you're just gonna do this every once in a while.
Just grab some fine sanding paper and keep sanding until it's smooth and round.
You did really well!!

+1

 

[DOGMAN]

I can buy them super-cheap up here in Wisconsin...this ain't "cowboy country"...and I'm thinking it's a good way to get good quality material to work with!

I agree,I've did over 20 conversions for myself.Most are in the conversion corral thread.

 

[tropicalbob]

If i tried that I'd wind up with something like Jughead's hat. Really nice job you did and great hat.

 

[Art Fawcett]

"Well, what do you think?"

You're hired !! When can you start?

 

[Michael R.]

I just did it with scissors...is there a proper tool to trim a brim?

I think I would just steam it , lay it on a flat surface and take the back of a Hat Brush to get the ripples out , or steam and tap , drag a bit , then more to even it out . It looks great ! Hats without trim get wavy sometimes , they just need a little TLC , no trimming . But if its uneven go with sandpaper , 400 grid , or you could start with 220/320 grid if you really want to remove felt , then finish with 400 .

GOD Bless you Addison ! Great Job !

 

[emigran]

And for $5 bucks... Excellentamundo...