Making a Hat Band

[RickP]

Id be thinking the best way would be to skive the ends of the band so theres no gap and the overlapping ends would be perfectly flat, then tack with good barge / contact cement to secure the ends. Fit before glue and it would be nice and snug... maybe sew a couple descrete tacks if worried about the glue holding. Space the conchos around so that one covers the "gap. If fit well, and you dont want to sew in place, a couple little spots of double side positioning tape underneath would keep the band from slipping. In my mind the best place is for the joint to be in the rear and covered by a concho.... it would be barely visible.

 

[Dash Riprock]

Well, I recently bought a Stetson Royal Flush Straw Cowboy Hat in a size 7 1/2 and it fits really well right off the shelf (pics below), so ordered another one in black.... when next winter gets close in the fall, I'll buy the Stetson felt version of this hat in black

It's similar to the style I was looking for like the Ronnie Van Zant / Donnie Van Zant hats
This style hat was also worn frequently by Jerry Jeff Walker

 

[Dash Riprock]

I'm wanting to make my own hat band similar to the Donnie Van Zant hat band (see pic below), and I've already ordered some 1 1/4 inch Silver Slotted Star Conchos, and a black Buffalo Hide Leather belt that is 1 1/4 inches wide

All I still need is some leather that is flat black that's fits in to the slots on the conchos and some leather working tools to be able to punch a rectangular hole in the leather belt I'll be using.

I'll just run the thin leather strap thru each concho thru the holes in the belt where it will run on the back side of the belt all the way around where I'll have to figure out a way to fasten the back where the two ends come together.

Questions...

1) Where can I find a tool that is rectangular shaped once I find the exact size I'll be needing (I'll know once I measure the slots)

2) I was thinking of somehow tying the thin strap that will be routed thru as slotted concho where it all comes together in the back of the hat... so what are some ideas on how to do that?



Here's the hat band I'm going to try to make...

 

[Dash Riprock]

Anybody know of some good leather working forums, where
they talk about the different aspects of working with leather?

 

[RickP]

I'm wanting to make my own hat band similar to the Donnie Van Zant hat band (see pic below), and I've already ordered some 1 1/4 inch Silver Slotted Star Conchos, and a black Buffalo Hide Leather belt that is 1 1/4 inches wide
View attachment 690514 View attachment 690515

All I still need is some leather that is flat black that's fits in to the slots on the conchos and some leather working tools to be able to punch a rectangular hole in the leather belt I'll be using.

I'll just run the thin leather strap thru each concho thru the holes in the belt where it will run on the back side of the belt all the way around where I'll have to figure out a way to fasten the back where the two ends come together.

Questions...

1) Where can I find a tool that is rectangular shaped once I find the exact size I'll be needing (I'll know once I measure the slots)

2) I was thinking of somehow tying the thin strap that will be routed thru as slotted concho where it all comes together in the back of the hat... so what are some ideas on how to do that?



Here's the hat band I'm going to try to make...

View attachment 690510

Check with Weaver Leather Supply, they have just about any size and shape of punch yould need. Tandy and Makers Leather Supply are good companies too

 

[Dash Riprock]

Check with Weaver Leather Supply, they have just about any size and shape of punch yould need. Tandy and Makers Leather Supply are good companies too

OK, thanks!

I'll check out these suppliers to see what they have.

 

[Dash Riprock]

I was thinking more in terms of being able to change hat bands occasionally so I wouldn't want to glue it on making it permanent.

I'll probably figure out some way to have some leather strings of some sort and put the hat band tight and then tire the leather strings

As I have shopped for hat bands I've seen some that are like this in the back

 

[Dash Riprock]

Maybe I'll just do something like they way this hat back connects in the back

 

[Dash Riprock]

04/02/25

First hat band made (turned out pretty good!)
used... 1-1/4" The State of Texas Concho Double Rivet Back
mounted on to 1-1/4" wide 5-6 oz. (2-2.4mm) Black Leather Belt Blanks

The look is kinda similar to the Donnie Van Zant hat band