new member first time steaming and reshaping hat

[donnelly]

I was given this stetson from my Dad and he never really took care of it. I steamed it and reshaped it tell me what you think of my first attempt!

on a final note any idea of the Year?
Thanks for looking

 

[delectans]

A fine effort, donnelly, and welcome to the lounge.

 

[Rodkins]

I was given this stetson from my Dad and he never really took care of it. I steamed it and reshaped it tell me what you think of my first attempt!

on a final note any idea of the Year?
Thanks for looking

Nice job! My guess is 1970's but someone who knows what they are talking about will hopefully chime in.

 

[randooch]

Welcome, donnelly. Nice reshape job, which is pretty tough to do on velour hats. (Is that a velour?)

 

[Jedwbpm]

Nicely done and welcome. I was steaming and freshening some of my hats yesterday too.

Jeff

 

[azhiker]

Yes, very nice job! and welcome to the FL!

 

[donnelly]

the hat is a felt hat so it came out nicely, any help on how to reshape the brim would be much welcomed. I have been lurking for a while now.

 

[gtdean48]

... any help on how to reshape the brim would be much welcomed. I have been lurking for a while now.

I use a steam iron with a handkerchief between the felt & the iron to reshape wonky brims. Make sure to be careful with the point of the iron as you get up near the crown & hatband. Make sure to use lots of steam & the brim will firm up when it cools as the steam reactivates the shellac in the felt. HTH

 

[donnelly]

how do you get it to roll up on the rear and sides with an Iron? A video of this would be very helpful lol

 

[fmw]

You are already way past me. I think he is talking about the iron as a steam source. You would need to block the brim or shape it by hand after steaming. I use a tea kettle as a steam source. It works fine. What doesn't work fine is what I do to the felt after steaming. I'm not ready for prime time in the hat craftsmanship arena, that's for sure.

 

[donnelly]

lol I hear you! I was amazed at how I was able to reshape the hat so easily after applying steam. I have a family friend that makes hats for a living I haven't yet given him a call to ask his opinion

 

[gtdean48]

how do you get it to roll up on the rear and sides with an Iron? A video of this would be very helpful lol

I use the iron to get the brim back to flat. Getting the roll on the rear & sides is the same as doing the crease, either steam or spray with distilled water then work it by hand.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I use a travel steamer that my wife uses on her clothes to steam and shape my hats. It is a sunbeam travel steamer.
Simular to this one on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Garment-Steamer-Aqua-2f-White/dp/B0031FOBLA/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t