Vintage Hat question---Flowers

[Goodie2Shoes]

Does anyone know how to steam the flowers on vintage hats or even if they are just single for that matter. I hear it perks them up and doesn't make the hat so old. I was just wondering if there's a special process...

Thanks!!

 

[BeBopBaby]

Does anyone know how to steam the flowers on vintage hats or even if they are just single for that matter. I hear it perks them up and doesn't make the hat so old. I was just wondering if there's a special process...

Thanks!!

I just steamed a 50s straw cartwheel hat and a wool 40s fedora because they had gotten a little wrinkled up. I was really pleased with the results of both. It really freshened up the fabric and the ribbons on the hats. One thing to be aware of when you steam a hat is to not steam it too much, you don't want to loose the shape of the hat. I stuffed my hats with tissue paper and placed them over a bowl while I steamed them so they wouldn't loose their shapes. I let them sit perched on the bowl until they dried completely, I didn't want to place them mon a hard surface and have the counter misshape the brims.

I used one of those scunci steamers that you see advertised for cleaning. I use the steamer on my hats and fabrics too delicate to iron. It gets a much better steam than those cheap fabric steamers that never really seem to work. I've also known people to steam their hats over tea pots of boiling water.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Grazie!!

I was looking forward to hearing the answer to this one. I've been wondering the same thing!

Thanks especially for the bit about steaming over a tea kettle. It looks like that's what I'm going to do since I don't have a steamer. It's one of those things I want to invest in at some point. It's good to know I can do it without one!!

Joie

 

[BeBopBaby]

Thanks especially for the bit about steaming over a tea kettle. It looks like that's what I'm going to do since I don't have a steamer. It's one of those things I want to invest in at some point. It's good to know I can do it without one!!

Joie

Just be careful with your hands, its easy to burn them when you're holding something over a kettle.

My iron also has a really good steamer on it. You could try holding the iron above, but not touching, the hat and shoot steam at it that way.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Just be careful with your hands, its easy to burn them when you're holding something over a kettle.

My iron also has a really good steamer on it. You could try holding the iron above, but not touching, the hat and shoot steam at it that way.

Good points. Thanks!
I do burn myself in the kitchen enough the way it is! lol

I have the steam function on my iron too, though I'm not sure how effective it is yet. It's a new iron, and I haven't used the steam yet, as I have to buy bottled water here to avoid serious mineral deposits. I would guess it is average in capability.
That being said, in your opinion, which do you think is more effective, the kettle or the iron?

Joie