Shaping a Panama?

[Roadrunner]

I just got a Diamente from Panama Bob and while I really like it, I would like to see the brim with a bit more snap. Is there a way to shape the brim of a panama similar to how you would with a felt hat?

 

[thunderw21]

I just steamed my modern Panama. Didn't hurt it and it worked well enough.

 

[mineral]

I just got a Diamente from Panama Bob and while I really like it, I would like to see the brim with a bit more snap. Is there a way to shape the brim of a panama similar to how you would with a felt hat?

From experience, I would say even just wetting the hat with tap water will permit it to be shaped.

 

[Panamabob]

I shy from steam and water, but I do hot iron on the brim (with caution) and mold with my hands.

 

[univibe88]

I shy from steam and water, but I do hot iron on the brim (with caution) and mold with my hands.

Bob, please share why you shy away from steam? I am just to scared to take an iron to my hat. You know a LOT more about panama hats than I do, so I'm sure you have good reason for your methods. Thanks.

 

[Panamabob]

If you start steaming up the hat, you'll get lots of wrinkles when you overdo it.

 

[BobC]

PB, what about the iron, dresser and hairspray trick? it worked like a charm! I ironed, shaped and sprayed mine a second time because the first one didn't hold as well as I wanted it to. The only problem was my wife was upset with the hairspray on the iron after the second time I ironed the hat.

Don't be afraid to iron these hats so long as you don't get them too hot. Robert says if you smell straw burning your iron is too hot.

My avatar is pre-ironing. I liked the hat then, but now I like it even better and it holds it shape much better.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Somewhere (probably on a thread here a while back) I saw a web video of a fella' shaping Panamas. I use his technique. I simply use tap water with my fingers to kind of rub it in - not really soaking wet, mind you - to soften the area, and then shape the hat as I use a hair dryer set to low, low heat. I carefully wave the dryer around, but not too close, until the water dries and the shape sets. Works well, and I find it to be a safe way to work with straws.

 

[rpatrick]

shaping a panama

Just got a new pannama and it has slight up sweep from packaging . What I need to do is get the other side to match and get the front to droop a bit. Problem is I have no idea how to make this happen. Could I get some advice on how to shape it . Thanks

 

[irfan.wayang]

Just got a new pannama and it has slight up sweep from packaging . What I need to do is get the other side to match and get the front to droop a bit. Problem is I have no idea how to make this happen. Could I get some advice on how to shape it . Thanks

I had the same thing with two Panama hats I received. I just put them on a small stand and shoved the front of the brim against the wall (gently) and then lifted the back with a book or something and left it that way overnight. That was enough!

 

[Txmason]

Shaping a Panama Hat

I just received a beautiful Panama Hat from Robert over at www.panamas.biz Does anyone know if a panama hat can be shaped and stiffened in the style of a Fedora? Or are panamas made to stay natural without doing anything to them?

Happy Trails,
Jerry

 

[vinnypolston]

Here is a great video of a guy blocking & hand shaping a panama hat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ap32EmnJB4
I blocked a cuenca hat last night in the form of a fedora style ( my first time ) and turned out pretty great! Re shaping the brim without a flange is turning out slightly difficult though!