Stetson Medallist - crushed!

[Talbot]

My new (old) Stetson Medallist arrived today.

The box was clearly marked fragile, and it looks like the postal service(s) really rose to the challenge. They won.

The fibres (straw?) are not damaged, but the hat looks like its been sat on - for a long time.

How do I get shape back into the hat - iron, steam, water?

All help and advice appreciated.

Thanks, Talbot

 

[fmw]

Ouch. Sorry to hear it. Perhaps the best bet would be to take it or send it to a hatter for reblocking.

 

[rmrdaddy]

Tal,
Steam it, you should be fine if the fibers aren't cracked or broken. Actually, even if they are I have used a lil Elmer's glue with satisfactory results on specific woven hats.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Hell's Bells!

Tal,
Steam it, you should be fine if the fibers aren't cracked or broken. Actually, even if they are I have used a lil Elmer's glue with satisfactory results on specific woven hats.

Agreed. If the MEDALIST is anything like the others I have seen- like this one. the fibers are synthetic or a synthetic blend & are all but indestructible. I suspect a bit of steam & hand forming should set it right. D@mned worthless post office!

 

[Talbot]

Thanks gents, I'll give it a try.

Seems like a nice hat. I was hoping to wear it with a suit.

Its only good for the Ed Norton look right now.

Hey Ralph....

 

[Blackthorn]

oh man, that would be depressing!

 

[Sam Craig]

If it really IS straw, why not try a little spritzing? Very fine, tiny amount of water, then reform the straw, working it until it starts to set up ... then let it dry ... go back and work it over again ... do a little at a time.
If the straw is not broken it should reform just fine and still be dressy looking when you are done.
That way you shouldn't lose the sizing in it, either.
Good luck!

Sam

 

[Aureliano]

Pictures? please...

 

[John in Covina]

One thing is to contact the vendor to let them know there was a problem and ask if they have any solutions they might offer.

Another is to ask if there was any insurance on the shipment.

If possible take some digital pictures of the box and the hat to attach to an email to show the shipper what happened.

 

[danofarlington]

My new (old) Stetson Medallist arrived today.

The box was clearly marked fragile, and it looks like the postal service(s) really rose to the challenge. They won.

The fibres (straw?) are not damaged, but the hat looks like its been sat on - for a long time.

How do I get shape back into the hat - iron, steam, water?

All help and advice appreciated.

Thanks, Talbot

Sounds like it needs to be re-blocked. That's probably easier the finer the straw. The coarser the straw, maybe more difficult. It's a job for a hatter in my opinion.