Modding a Cowboy Hat, Tales of a Mad Hatter.

[cooncatbob]

Trimming my Federation turned out so well that I was looking for a new project. I'm a chronic Do it yourselfer. So deep in the back of the closet in a dusty box was my Resistol Pendleton a truly massive lump of black felt that I bought on impulse 12 years ago and hardly ever where because it's so big and also I have a Black Snowy River that looks much better on me. So I asked myself, self think we could make a Fedora out of this. I forgot to take a before picture but I removed the lining and put it in a sink of warm water to soak for 30 minutes, to remove the crease and try to soften this guy up, you could use it for a hard hat. Put it on the dish rack to dry over night. Next day it was still quite damp so I put a plastic bag over my wooden hat block and put the hat on it.

After work the hat was dryer but still damp so I ironed the brim flat scibed it with a compass and cut it to 2 1/2 inches. I tried to sand the edge but it's still damp and clogged the sandpaper.

Put the hat back on the block and I think it's going to turn out quite nicely, of course it will never be as soft and light as a vintage hat.

Now I need a Ribbon, I'm thing something light colored like cream that would contrast with the black hat. Anyone know where I could buy a completed ribbon? I tried Google but didn't turn anything up.
Kinda cool turning something that was just sitting around into something I'd really wear. Bob.

 

[Jerekson]

Seems like an interesting project! Good luck!

Looking forward to what kind of bash you'll put in it.

 

[RBH]

Looking good CCB!
here is a thread on my recreation of a western.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=14232&highlight=wildcatter
If I can find my shortcut :eusa_doh: for where I got my ribbon at I will send it to you.