Searching for someone to reblock my hat.

[jbucklin]

They also recommended that I use some kind of cellophane wrap like Saran Wrap to cover the dome with if a hat feels a litte too snug while placing it on it. I never had to do this but it makes sense that it would work.

 

[scottyrocks]

If you get a 22 1/2" when your head is a 23", when you rebuild a hat your block will be too small unless you sew in the new sweat band and then block it which is backwards.

 

[Erehwon]

Sorry if I confused things. I was just trying to relate my experience with them. I hope it works out for you.

Yes, everything is ok! I've been really unsure, since its my first block. But now I am looking forward to the 23'' and post pictures here when I blocked my head. Let's hope they'll write back soon....

 

[Erehwon]

I just noticed that i sent my mails to sales@hatshapers.com instead of Sales@hatshapers.com. Does it make a difference? Should i send them a fifth mail?! Oh dear....

 

[jbucklin]

Try both email addresses again and just keep bugging them. They're a small company (husband and wife) and can be slow to respond to emails.

 

[Erehwon]

I recieved a written letter today. From hatshapers. Was sent 3 weeks ago. They said, that they have got all my mails, but couldn't write me back. This is nice! I will order the hatblock now!

 

[Erehwon]

Well, at least i can say "I tried".

I recieved my hatshaper today.

First I cut out the sweatband and cut off the ribbon. Now, it was the pure felt. I made it wet and steam it, until it was hot, then pulled it over the hatshaper.

It couldn't reach the bottom of the hatshaper, the felt was not getting larger, as hard as i pulled, the felt didn't larger. Now, the problem is, that, if the hat is creased (I tried once) it very deep.... i can't get it higher, i wonder whx, because Christy's adventurer are very high.

I pulled the felt down the hatshaper by holding it at the brim, it looks really destroyed now....

I send you some pictures, and hope that you have got any ideas what can i do.

 

[Erehwon]

These are the results.... i made a hat, but not a fedora...

the corown is much much too low. All the other stuff worked so far, the brim needs to be finished. But i dont get it, why the crown is so low. I can't even crease it right.

 

[Landman]

How tall was the crown to begin with when it was open crown? I usually need at least a 5 1/2" open crown to get a crease I like. I also prefer to use distilled water instead of steam to crease a felt hat. I get the felt wet with the water, crease it and then usually let it dry on my head. For me, I just find that easier than steam.

 

[jbucklin]

If the hat didn't reach the bottom of the dome then it was too short a crown to begin with. Landman is right--- the hat should measure to 5 1/2" open crown. I'm sorry this happened to you. Try it again and don't use steam, but distilled water from a spray bottle. Start out with a center-dent crease, work the front of the crown into a pinch, and then carefully shape the back of the crown into either a diamond or a teardrop. Hope that helps.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I would soak the hat is water, as long as you have such a issue with the hat shape to begin with, getting it totally wet is going to perhaps help this hat be more flexible to work with the hat shaper to reblock it, you may also need to do the flange, Hatshapers does sell those if you need to do it.

 

[Landman]

Soaking it in water is a good suggestion. Normally I use distilled water but the other day I had an old Open Road with a lot of sweat stains so I wasn't worried about damaging it. I ran warm water from the tub spigot over the entire hat and got it soaking wet. I then reshaped it and wore it until it dried. I was amazed at how great it turned out. The sweat stains almost totally disappeared and I couldn't tell any difference from using tap water rather than distilled water but I guess that depends on what is in your tap water. I think the warm water made a difference too.

Looking at the original pictures of the hat it had a nice fedora bash before. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to get it back to something similar. Good luck.

 

[Txmason]

@erewon

Here is a list of USA retail stores that do hat restoration:

http://www.davidmorgan.com/hat_renovators.html


Here is where I sent my hat and had an excellent job done!


http://www.americanhatters.com/

Best,
Jerry

 

[Txmason]

@erewon

Here is a list of USA retail stores that do hat restoration:

http://www.davidmorgan.com/hat_renovators.html


Here is where I sent my hat and had an excellent job done!


http://www.americanhatters.com/

Best,
Jerry

 

[Erehwon]

Ok, what i did now, was to make the felt totaly wet, and not using steam. Here is the result. Now, it touches the Bottom, but maybe its a little bit from the brim, now used as crown.... I am not sure.

What should i do next? Let the felt dry and then? Does it look ok so far?

Btw, thank all of you for your answers. I am not giving up!

 

[jbucklin]

It definitely looks taller, but you've lost some of the brim-width. The problem may be that the crown was either not tall enough, or if it is 5 1/2" open-crown, that the taper it was originally blocked with will cause it to be shorter when straightening the sides with the hat shaper. Try to split the difference between brim-width and crown-height and see if you can settle for a happy medium!

 

[Landman]

If it were me I would go ahead and shape it while it is still wet. Others may disagree though.

 

[jbucklin]

I agree. I always crease my hats while still wet.

 

[jlee562]

The Christy's felt has been notorious for shrinkage on COW....

 

[Erehwon]

One of my big problems is, when i sew in the Sweatband and the ribbon, i destroy the shape of the corwn a bit, as i destroy the brimshape.

So, creasinf wouldn't make much sense, as long there is noch sweatband and ribbon on the hat.