sewing awl training day

[Wil Tam]

I got one earlier this week so as a primer project I worked on a wool that I really didn't care if I screwed up on. It was a beautiful day but I was still a bit hung over from last nights bar crawling escapades. A Twin Peaks Marathon is on Chiller so I had it on while I worked on the lid, gotta love David Lynch!

Anyhow the hat was the dog collared trilby Dobbs that I thought might have been fur felt, it was not ... bad call on my part... so I'm still looking for a Dobbs fur, I have another that is suede.

The sewing awl in action [I need to pick-up some thinner needles, sewing machine needles would probably work, the ones that came with it are hefty .. the sweat was coming off the hat so I helped it along. I tried sewing it back on at the reeding but the needle skewered my finger on the first attempt, so I nixed that idea & I just went through the leather.[huh]

Before the makeover

When the hat arrived it was droopy .. had no snap to the brim & the pinch wouldn't stay pinched when I put it on. I soaked the whole thing in some soapy cold water then rinsed and shaped the darned thing on my head. When it dried, it still didn't keep the shape I wanted, so I sprayed the the whole hat with some Niagara Starch... It worked but I don't know if bad weather will ruin the shape again .. maybe I'll get some Scout waterproofer.

I'm not loving the hat especially since it's wool .. I think it looks okay with the new ribbon treatment .... IMHO it is better than it was but still...
----------------
Now playing: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Spider Monkey
via FoxyTunes

 

[nickn5]

If that's what you're capable of doing when you're a 'bit hung over' then I have to say you're one talented chap, Wil.

Nice work!

N.

 

[Wil Tam]

on my melon

This is the lid before the makeover, it drooped something fierce, It was okay but I didn't like it much plus the leather dog collar treatment had to go. At this point I had stiffened the crown a bit with spray on starch and kept the pinch tight with a chip klip.... hey whatever works... savvy?

With the brim up... I kinda dig it this way...

With the brim down ... the white splotches is the wax from the thick thread I used to reinstall the sweatband, I'll get it off later. I need to feed the dog that bit me right now... ouchy my head is pounding

----------------
Now playing: Billy Bragg & Wilco - Stetson Kennedy
via FoxyTunes

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

You kill me, Wil. Another informative and entertaining post! :eusa_clap

I have a few old woolies and even though I now use water to shape my fur felt fedoras, I have had better luck with tea kettle steam on the wool hats when they need a tweak. I'm surprised you've got something in a hat shape left at all after that soaking you gave it.

You're right about that one looking best on you with the brim up. You also upgraded it's appearance with the different band.

I just don't expect too much from my wool fedoras. I pretty much just let 'em go all wonky as they please. I only wear them when I have a situation, like long backpacking adventures or canoe trips, where I don't want to worry about a hat getting a beating. And in those situations, the floppiness of those hats helps since a better brim would fight with a high pack behind my head.

 

[Wil Tam]

Well I gotta be entertaining....

Thanks guys

The awl does make things easier when I work on these projects, I just need to get use to it & not stab myself with it :eusa_doh:

I think if I pickup some thinner needles, it would go smoother.

This is the only wool hat that I own & probably won't get another one because I don't particularly like the feel of the material [huh]

It's funny about the ribbon .. It migrated from 4 hats till I found a nicer one for each of them... I think it's staying on this for good.


----------------
Now playing: James Brown - Doing It To Death
via FoxyTunes

 

[Brad Bowers]

Get some Singer 70/9 sewing machine needles. They are a small size, but still heavy enough for the task.

Brad

 

[bolthead]

Doesn't your needle that came with it have a groove in it? Mine does, this is so the thread can lay in that groove and flow freely. I think with any other type of needle, the thread will get pinched when you tighten it. [huh]

 

[Wil Tam]

okie dokie

Get some Singer 70/9 sewing machine needles. They are a small size, but still heavy enough for the task.

Brad

Will do Brad, thanks for the info!

----------------
Now playing: Ottmar Liebert - Starry Night
via FoxyTunes

 

[Wil Tam]

yup

Doesn't your needle that came with it have a groove in it? Mine does, this is so the thread can lay in that groove and flow freely. I think with any other type of needle, the thread will get pinched when you tighten it. [huh]

Yeah there is a groove in the needles .. they're just too thick for this type of work, so I need thinner needles. I'm not experienced enough with this tool yet to answer that question, maybe Brad will chime in.

I keep it tight enough with a slight tug on both ends .. and only keep about a quarter inch by the needle eye at a time...

----------------
Now playing: Radiohead - Paranoid Android (live)
via FoxyTunes