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.
Alden 403 Moc Toe Boot - Brown Chromexcel - $680 The classic "Indy" style Alden Boot in the classic Horween brown Chromexcel. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket. 
Thanks Brent. Your wife must love you very much to undergo such a tedious endeavor for you. Lucky man.
Thanks Regan. I feel like a kid on the farm whose father tells him he won't have to get up at 5am to milk the cows.
I may be a grumpy older man but my mind, at least, can still be immature!
Splotch or no splotch, send it my way!
Thanks for the laugh Regan. Great pouncing imagery!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!
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.
Ha! Understood, buddy! If it weren't for screw ups along the way none of us would ever learn a thing!
Yep, I think the trick is to only accept as customers those that share your head size!
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.
That's a great idea RM except for the fact that if I did that I'd never get a new hat.That's right. If you are going to keep up witht the competition you need to be selling defective hats at half price
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.
