Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Phoenix Hat Company

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Hey, Rick, how long does it take you to sew on the binding? I was just looking and your binding looks perfect on my hats.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I haven't really timed it Brent. It's still a four part process for me even with the machine. I bind the majority of the hat on the machine leaving unsewn tails at the back which I join by hand stitching. I then baste the remaining binding to the hat and return it to the machine for finishing. Not fully automated, but so much easier than hand stitching or using the "closed loop" method.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
That's a nice standin for the 108w20 machine and a $100, you can't beat that. I bought a 108w20 for $600 out of Australia, they didn't pack it correctly and it came with a broken hand wheel and some other damage. Was able to get JW to repair it before he passed last year..

Glad you got your machine fixed up. I looked for a 108w20 or 21, but the only ones I found were well north of a grand without the binding attachment. Then I realized it was still going to be a multi-step process even with the "correct" machine so the workaround made sense to me.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
First sweatband sewn in with the new ASM 1107-1 machine. I had to make adjustments to the factory set up and I will definitely need more practice, but the installation, after the sweatband was prepped, took less than a minute. Goodbye hand stitching...forever.
IMG_0967.JPG
IMG_0969.JPG
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
First sweatband sewn in with the new ASM 1107-1 machine. I had to make adjustments to the factory set up and I will definitely need more practice, but the installation, after the sweatband was prepped, took less than a minute. Goodbye hand stitching...forever.
View attachment 152311 View attachment 152314

Glad to hear you’re up and running! Sewing sweatbands by hand is for the birds. My wife has done a couple for me after taking pity on me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,263
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
First sweatband sewn in with the new ASM 1107-1 machine. I had to make adjustments to the factory set up and I will definitely need more practice, but the installation, after the sweatband was prepped, took less than a minute. Goodbye hand stitching...forever.
View attachment 152311 View attachment 152314

That's got to be a big time saver and a big relief too. With the limited tinkering I've done with hats, this job was my most frustrating and definitely the least favorite. Happy sewing!
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
The only good thing about screwing up a customer's hat is using the reject for practice. This black cherry, pure beaver body got the first machine installed sweatband and a burgundy with costume jewelry arrow ribbon treatment. You'll notice the splotchy finish that is a result of my overly aggressive pouncing. Live and learn.
Black Cherry OR.JPG
 
Last edited:

Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,263
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
The only good thing about screwing up a customer's hat is using the reject for practice. This black cherry, pure beaver body got the first machine installed sweatband and a burgundy with costume jewelry arrow ribbon treatment. You'll notice the splotchy finish that is a result of my overly aggressive pouncing. Live and learn.
View attachment 152725

That's still a neat looking hat; I like the colors. And the phrase "overly aggressive pouncing" just makes me laugh for some reason - maybe it's the image of you jumping on the hat from a hidden corner like a Tigger and giving the hat what-for! :D I may be a grumpy older man but my mind, at least, can still be immature!
 

T Jones

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,786
Location
Central Ohio
The only good thing about screwing up a customer's hat is using the reject for practice. This black cherry, pure beaver body got the first machine installed sweatband and a burgundy with costume jewelry arrow ribbon treatment. You'll notice the splotchy finish that is a result of my overly aggressive pouncing. Live and learn.
View attachment 152725
Splotch or no splotch, send it my way!
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
That's still a neat looking hat; I like the colors. And the phrase "overly aggressive pouncing" just makes me laugh for some reason - maybe it's the image of you jumping on the hat from a hidden corner like a Tigger and giving the hat what-for! :D I may be a grumpy older man but my mind, at least, can still be immature!
Thanks for the laugh Regan. Great pouncing imagery!
 
Messages
10,827
Location
vancouver, canada
No offense Terry, but I think I'll just keep it. If it wasn't for the screw ups I'd never get a new hat.
Yep, I think the trick is to only accept as customers those that share your head size!
I converted a white western hat into a fedora, attempting the dye process myself. The dye did not take uniformly giving the felt a blotchy appearance. At first I was put off by the look but I began to really like it as it was a mid to light grey and with the blotches had a "clouds in the sky" appearance. I wear the hat proudly as it is truly unique and has my 'screw-up" stamped upon it that gives it character and personality. It is all in how you frame it!
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Yep, I think the trick is to only accept as customers those that share your head size!
I converted a white western hat into a fedora, attempting the dye process myself. The dye did not take uniformly giving the felt a blotchy appearance. At first I was put off by the look but I began to really like it as it was a mid to light grey and with the blotches had a "clouds in the sky" appearance. I wear the hat proudly as it is truly unique and has my 'screw-up" stamped upon it that gives it character and personality. It is all in how you frame it!
All too true and I do wear my rejects as badges of hard earned knowledge. Just think, if one works hard and learns how to completely screw up a hat, one can put a matchstick in the hatband and sell it for $1500. One can only dream. Speaking of same size, it wouldn't have broken my heart to see your Steel hat come back to me.
 
Last edited:

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
I bet most of us would be happy with your reject and not even notice the “flaw.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Well, we could have tested that bet had I finished this hat and sent it you as originally planned. This one was my first attempt at your black cherry hat. It was blocked out on your hat block and I had to do a hot water bath and size it down almost three sizes to fit me. I've been spending a few spare minutes on it here and there since then and finally got to use it as a guinea pig for the new sweatband machine. It turned out to be a different hat than yours, but I stayed with your impeccable color choices.
 
Messages
10,827
Location
vancouver, canada
I took my wife out this afternoon to the new craft brewery just down the street. She was intimidated about wearing her hat for the first time out in public. Entering the pub we walked past the young female server, who looked at my wife and said 'That hat is incredible and you look amazing". So just to let you know my wife got off to a pretty good start as a hat wearer.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,000
Messages
3,072,423
Members
54,038
Latest member
GloriaJama
Top