New to forum + Have questions

[martinmike2]

Hello, I am new to the forums ( as stated in the title). I am a Zoot Suit wearing, Big-Brim Fedora showing swing dancer.

My hat has had the misfortune of being stepped on by an over-enthusiastic dancer, and has completly lost its form. It is wool felt.
My main question is, does anybody know of a good haberdasher or rejuvinator in Jacksonville, FL? All of my other questions were answered in "Felt Hat Basics".

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me. I really like this hat and would love to be able to wear it again.

 

[duggap]

Maybe Indycop will chime in as he lives in Jville. I don't believe there is a shop in town. There is a hat shop in St. Agustine. If you don't have any luck with them, try finding the nearest western wear and maybe they can set you up with a store that will do some restoration work. For your information, it seems the majority of the folks on the lounge use Optimo in Chicago. They are reasonable and do a good job. Good luck with your hunt and welcome to the lounge.

 

[indycop]

Hello! nope no luck in Jax and the panama shop in St. Augustine is waay overpriced. You are better off looking online. It does not take to long for shipping.
What size are you?

 

[RBH]

Welcome and good luck...WELL.... you might just need to contact one of our hatters here on the Lounge!

 

[Wil Tam]

put the kettle on

shove a bath towel into the cavity of the hat then slowly steam out the current bash completely, concentrating on the creases [I do that all the time when I decide to re-bash my hats] .. leave the towel in and let it cool off and dry .. then remove towel and karate chop the top of the hat right down the middle .. that's the base, from here you can start to shape it ... it isn't that hard, good luck & welcome to the club!

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Wool felt, huh? I'd try fixing it yourself, either dry or using Wil Tam's advice.

Failing that, you could probably buy a new replacement for about the same (maybe less) than having a professional fix it. And I'm not even sure if a hatter would service wool felt.