The Conversion Corral

[Randall Renshaw]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one.

It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter.

The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband.

Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better.

As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance.

 

[T Jones]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

Thank you, buddy. That one sure came out nice. Just my size, too!

 

[Woodtroll]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

I really like the way that turned out. Nice work!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Thank you, buddy. That one sure came out nice. Just my size, too!

Thanks, Terry!
Your size, but I’m sure you can make as many as you want!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

I really like the way that turned out. Nice work!

Thanks, Woodtroll!
Definitely a labor of love.
A sewing machine that doesn’t break down would help and is on my Christmas list.

 

[Blare]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

Looks fantastic

 

[Rmccamey]

I think you are closing in on a TFL Conversation Rookie of the Year nomination, Randall.

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

Excellent work Randall. The new life you have given it is sure to last.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Excellent work Randall. The new life you have given it is sure to last.

Thanks a lot, Ryan!
I sure hope it does. My favorites pile is growing these days, but this one nears the top.

 

[Randall Renshaw]

I think you are closing in on a TFL Conversation Rookie of the Year nomination, Randall.

Thanks, Randy!
Though, I’m not that great at conversation.
Stupid spellcheck, right?!

 

[Rmccamey]

...and you are good at "conversions", too!

Thanks, Randy!
Though, I’m not that great at conversation.
Stupid spellcheck, right?!

 

[T Jones]

I'm going to restyle this 4X Resistol that I had previously converted. I don't know yet if I'm going to keep it Western or if I'm going to convert it to a Fedora. If this hat had a 4 inch brim there'd be no question that I'd keep it Western.

 

[belfastboy]

Well, in my opinion, Terry is the best resident FL hat restoration expert.
(At least, that I know of, in my short time as a member)
In my year and 4 months here he’s given me inspiration and a healthy goal to reach for.
Been looking for a Stephen L. Stetson for a while when, a week ago, I found this one. View attachment 291409 It was an aged homburg that needed either serious restoration or a serious restoration and a reimagined look. Since I own many very nice homburgs in every color I went with the latter. View attachment 291403 View attachment 291401
The reedless sweatband was coming unattached, dry and cracking, so I took it on out. All the cracks were around the old stitching holes and though I tried it wasn’t letting me use the original holes, so, reluctantly, I decided the best thing to do was to cut off the holes which meant taking off about a 3/16”.
I poked new holes with a needle then stitched it back in. It doesn’t look so great, I know, but at least I was able to reuse this fragile, but all too important original sweatband. View attachment 291402
Stefan, @steur brought a bow keep style to my attention when he made a comment that this particular bow keep was his favorite. I liked it too, but didn’t think I could figure out how to pull it off.
Well I did, but I’m sure the next one will look better. View attachment 291408
As you can see, I sewed in one row of color matched decorative stitching around the brim edge for a little added bling.
The fur felt of this SLS had a short hair type finish and I was really glad that it made it through the restoration Without losing a bit of its tight, fuzzy appearance. View attachment 291406 View attachment 291407

Great work!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

Great work!

Thanks, Belfastboy!

 

[T Jones]

Keeping it simple on this 4X Resistol conversion. The hat sports a tall straight crown with a crisp profile and a tight pinch. The raw edge snap brim is 2 5/8 wide. The open crown is a full 5 3/4 inches tall and is creased to my preferred Teardrop. As creased the crown is 4 5/8 inches at the pinch with a rake sloping to 4 1/8 inches to the back and has an over all height of 5 inches. It also sports a contrasting mid ribbon with a slight upward swoop to the bow work...

And for Christmas I finally got the lighted magnifier glasses I've been needing, along with a prescription of Prednisone for another back flare up. It almost feels like luxury to be able to see what I'm working on and to be able sit down for periods of time without these frequent irritating back issues... these glasses are great! They sure beat putting on three pairs of reading glasses like I've been having to do!

 

[Tukwila]

Great work, Terry! Perfect fedora IMO.

 

[T Jones]

Great work, Terry! Perfect fedora IMO.

Thank you, Tuk!

 

[Blare]

Keeping it simple on this 4X Resistol conversion. The hat sports a tall straight crown with a crisp profile and a tight pinch. The raw edge snap brim is 2 5/8 wide. The open crown is a full 5 3/4 inches tall and is creased to my preferred Teardrop. As creased the crown is 4 5/8 inches at the pinch with a rake sloping to 4 1/8 inches to the back and has an over all height of 5 inches. It also sports a contrasting mid ribbon with a slight upward swoop to the bow work...

And for Christmas I finally got the lighted magnifier glasses I've been needing, along with a prescription of Prednisone for another back flare up. It almost feels like luxury to be able to see what I'm working on and to be able sit down for periods of time without these frequent irritating back issues... these glasses are great! They sure beat putting on three pairs of reading glasses like I've been having to do!

Beautiful job Terry.

glasses look like they will do the trick

 

[T Jones]

Beautiful job Terry.

glasses look like they will do the trick

View attachment 296496

Thank you Blare!

Ha ha! That's exactly what my glasses look like when I put them on!

 

[Randall Renshaw]

60s Kevin McAndrew Gray long hair conversion. It had a badly tapered round crown and a raw edge curled brim with a black ribbon. Really ugly, imho.
She got a new life and now sports a 2” light green petersham ribbon with 13 pleats in the gilled bow. Bad luck?
I better stick a 4 leaf clover in one of the pleats!
4 3/4” crown at front crease. 2 3/4” raw edge brim.