The Conversion Corral

[Redfokker]

Here's my redo on this Bradford. I originally blocked it over a vintage wooden block that was more rounded and tapered. Afterward I creased the crown into a C-Crease to straighten up the sides. But, even then, while the sides were straight the front and the back of the crown tapered into each other. I never could warm up to that crown shape. So, I took it apart again and changed it. I broke out a plastic PITA to use straight sided dome Plastic Hat Shaper and changed the crown with far greater results for the open crown shape I wanted.

(Just a little note: Plastic Hat Shapers are fine if you're doing some of your own hats every now and then and if you don't have to do a lot of tugging and pulling. For one, the flange at the bottom gets in the way when you're trying tug on the hat and stretch it. Number two, they won't hold up under frequent use, especially for the amount pulling and stretching it takes when working on a hat. I keep a few around and use them only when I have to).

With that said, I got good results out of it. I got a good straight sided open crown shape all around the hat. After going with a tear drop crease this time everything stayed straight. Front and back, and the sides. Tall and straight all around....4 3/4 at the pinch with a rake sloping to 4 inches at the back.

Here's the crown shape after blocking it on the plastic Hat Shaper. You'll also notice some stitching. These are temporary tack stitches to hold my sweat in place. The tack stitches will be removed after the permanent stitches are sewn in for the sweat.

Flanging for the 2 3/4 snap brim

On the head. Tall and straight.

This series of photos is really special Terry, I enjoyed it over coffee this morning. Love the rake, and the crisp lines of this conversion. You have the touch my friend! Thanks for this.

 

[T Jones]

This series of photos is really special Terry, I enjoyed it over coffee this morning. Love the rake, and the crisp lines of this conversion. You have the touch my friend! Thanks for this.

Thank you, Red. That was a very nice compliment. I really appreciate that.

You're very welcome buddy...and thank you again for the nice response.

 

[T Jones]

In the meantime, I have another hat project in the making. This one's a more recent vintage 4X Open Road soft felt. I'm going to make a work hat out of it. I was never much impressed with these hats and when I got one I stripped it down, saved the ribbon work, and used it for experimentation. But, that's just my own personal opinion, and with that said, to anyone who owns one of these hats and are perfectly happy with it, then please don't pay attention to me. Opinions can be very subjective anyhow.

 

[T Jones]

Oh no,my friend there is no competition.Your conversions are topnotch.I consider us to be on the same level.But thank you for the compliment.

Thank you buddy, and you're very welcome. I feel the same way about your conversions. Top notch every step of the way.

 

[bond]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .



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[bond]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DOGMAN]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see why your keeping that one.Nice work,beautiful hat.

 

[Bamaboots]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Scott, as said down here; "you done did good".

 

[T Jones]

Dried and off the block. Some light sanding with a yellow sponge and a quick going over with some 400 grit sandpaper. It doesn't take much sanding since the hat has already been finished by the original manufacturer. The exception for heavier sanding is when you get hold of Western weight felt and you want to take the thickness down a little. But still, even then, you want to be careful and not over do it. The felt quality and dye consistency of the more recent Westerns are not even close to being on par with the older hats that date back to the early '50s and beyond. This is a 4X OR that I used for several experimentations. Now that I got the hang of a few things I'm going to give this hat new life as a grab and go hat...

 

[Michael A]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great job and great looking hat. I have a LEO homburg and it is really some nice lightweight felt.

Michael

 

[Bill Hughes]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s outstanding Scott.

 

[RJR]

I see why your keeping that one.Nice work,beautiful hat.

+1

 

[DOGMAN]

Finished conversion no.27 Resistol Chute 5x.Brim 3 1/2" trimmed to 2 5/8",open crown 6 1/4" as creased front 5" back 4 1/2".Ribbon gray vintage 1 1/2" with frayed bow.Liner pin-up with purple satin sides.

 

[DOGMAN]

Couple more pics

 

[bond]

Damn Dman, is that a resistol xx ??
Looks like you did a good job taming that western cowboy hat. I could see that fitting a taller gentleman.


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[T Jones]

Finished conversion no.27 Resistol Chute 5x.Brim 3 1/2" trimmed to 2 5/8",open crown 6 1/4" as creased front 5" back 4 1/2".Ribbon gray vintage 1 1/2" with frayed bow.Liner pin-up with purple satin sides.

Outstanding, DMAN. It looks great. Nice and tall. It wouldn't do for me to have that liner, though. I'd do more starin' than wearin'!

 

[RJR]

Outstanding, DMAN. It looks great. Nice and tall. It wouldn't do for me to have that liner, though. I'd do more starin' than wearin'!

 

[DOGMAN]

Damn Dman, is that a resistol xx ??
Looks like you did a good job taming that western cowboy hat. I could see that fitting a taller gentleman.


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It's a 5x.I'm a sucker for tall crowns.

 

[Redfokker]

Couple more pics

Impressive crown. Very nice conversion. Gotta get me one of those liners.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Here’s a recent mid century Borsalino sourced from Rome Italy . Big beautiful size 7 1/2. I was going to sell this one but decided after giving it a gas bath that this was one to keep.
Felt is super lightweight and I would compare it with a high quality Montecristi if that’s possible?
The original ribbons were shot but the interior was perfect really and the un reeded sweat solid .The silk liner is sweet indeed also and still has the onion skin protector. I trimmed brim 1/8 so it would curl better and sewed a single stitch 1/8 around the brim to finish it off.
After plenty of steam and lots of stiffener I finally was able to coax a wearable shape. Added a vintage cotton silk grosgrain ribbon in a grey sage color w matching wind cord to finish that.
Here’s before and after .

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Geez ol Pete, that hat is amazing! you can about tell from the pictures how creamy smooth the felt is....yes indeed, that is a keeper!