It was a cowboy hat- part II

[RBH]

Here are the pictures to my 'experiment'
Remember this hat is a wool felt and was really stiff. I thought that it would be good for my first try at trimming a brim...
If I messed up it would not be to much lost. I can now see how a vintage western fur felt would work better.
The first pic is before I started the trim job, but after I had worked on the bash a little. The original crown shape was the normal cattlemans bash.

The brim was 4'' I cut it down to 2 3/4''

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8553/1cyh1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

This is the hat after the trimming, and without the western style band.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3750/2cwn7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

The hat after sanding the cut edge, and a little tweaking both brim and crown. The stiff wool felt is not the easiest to work with. But it can be done. The black band was one from an old western straw, it doesnt look to bad so it will stay for the time being.
I plan to tweak the hat some more and if it makes a difference I will post another pic.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5006/3cbu9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and info that gave me the courage to try this.
p.s. special thanks to you SOX your great looking hat was a big motivator!:eusa_clap

 

[deanglen]

Here are the pictures to my 'experiment'
Remember this hat is a wool felt and was really stiff. I thought that it would be good for my first try at trimming a brim...
If I messed up it would not be to much lost. I can now see how a vintage western fur felt would work better.
The first pic is before I started the trim job, but after I had worked on the bash a little. The original crown shape was the normal cattlemans bash.

Impressive! Most Impressive! Ob-Wan has taught you well! Join me, and together we can rule the budget/modiification universe! Search your feelings! You know its true! Actually, RBH, You, along with a happy few. have ventured into the world of, "If I want it, I can make it happen." And you did!! Darn nice job. Now get yourself some 3/8" grosgrain, complimentary color of choice and let's see your handiwork as it goes...it's off to a great start!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap


dean

 

[Radioflyer]

RBH, Thanks so much! You got me to thinking. I started last night to convert an old Resistol that I've had for years collecting dust in the closet. It's a gorgeous 'cowboy' hat that I bought in Colorado years ago but want to convert it to Fedora. I cut the brim down to 2 3/4 last night and sanded the edges..now doing crown work. I'll think it'll turn out killer! I'll post pix here in a couple days.

rf

 

[RBH]

Thanks Dean & RF...

My project turned out real good. A fur felt would be better, but the wool is a good medium to start with.
By the way RF mine was a Resistol also. I think I shall be on the lookout for another 'old' cowboy hat to convert, its fun to see what the results are after a few cuts and bash's.
Here I am with the hat on, its gonna make a great beater. As we all know we have to have a few of them!

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8158/madehm9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[DOUGLAS]

You have done a terrific job RBH. I like the I WANT IT / I MAKE IT attitude.:eusa_clap

 

[Radioflyer]

RBH,

That came out gorgeous! Great job! Like we've both discovered, we've got old 'cowboy' hats sitting around made of fine fur felt and why not do a conversion? I shopped bands for mine this morning but really need to take the hat into the fabric shop to try the 'next to..' test.

I've been doing lots of web shopping for fedoras and thought, Hey! I've got this old Resistol sitting around not doing a thing...I can do it myself! I'm that kind of guy. If it comes out crappy then no loss as I wouldn't be wearing it anyway...

I DO however, have an Akubra Snowy River that I don't use that much but I refuse to touch it...too much a purist for that!

rf

 

[deanglen]

THIS IS EXCITING! Can't you just see a whole new world of "Build Your Own Beater!" (BYOB, of course) Art Fawcett et. al. will always have their market, but we can produce everyday hats in imitation of the styles we like! That bound edge still eludes me, unless I turn to my favorite adhesive. I just don't think I could live with it. Even using sewing machine, I don't think would do as well without a lot of frustration. Maybe one of us will figure out how to do it, some way. Love your shot RBH! Looking forward to yours, Radioflyer!

dean

 

[John in Covina]

No running with the scissors!

Wow, that hat really came together, another (minor) triumph!

 

[RBH]

THANKS EVERYONE!

It is so much fun when you do something like this. Now be sure, this is a 'BEATER' the felt is not the best and it is stained. -But- it looks pretty good.
I plan on looking for some ribbon, I love the 3/8 but may invest in some 1'' also, if the color is right.
Everyone please conyinue to post your projects!!

 

[Dinerman]

the first picture reminds me of a bat in flight for some odd reason.
it looks a lot better now.

 

[RBH]

the first picture reminds me of a bat in flight .

You are right..
IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM HELL !!

lol lol lol

 

[RBH]

Just thought I would add this, if you dont have a Hat jack ...get one.
Mine looks like this
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2184/hs919oy5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>
After 2 years in a hot attic this hat was really tight on my head. After the modifications I put the stretcher in it. It worked great !
What I did was wet around the edge of the crown where it meets the brim, I then put in the stretcher and turned it a few rounds. Now this ol' hat fits wonderfully.
I'm sure the guys that sell hats here have some check them out if you think you may need one.

 

[RBH]

Hey Radioflyer

got any pictures yet?

 

[ideaguy]

Thanks you guys!! Great attitude, great work-and you've given me the courage
to finally try to modify one of my westerns; turns out I ain't much of a cowboy after all, so hand me the X-acto and stand back!

 

[RBH]

Thanks you guys!! Great attitude, great work-and you've given me the courage
to finally try to modify one of my westerns; turns out I ain't much of a cowboy after all, so hand me the X-acto and stand back!

Pictures, you know we will have to have pictures!
lol lol lol lol