What About the Smoking CAP?

[Vintage Betty]

Here's a bunch of rambling thoughts on this thread in no particular order:

I've been told that a hat retains 60% of a person's body heat.

Smoking caps are easy to make, and I can point you to people who sew in the forum and who are costumers who can do this for a very cheap price. Once you have the cap, go to www.needlewoman.com for the custom hand-embroidery.

Fez styles and materials vary with region and age. Most of the good ones are made from wool. The fancy shriner styles with the bullion embroidery can be a good bargain right now; they seem to have decresed in price. A decent one can be had for less than $50.

As for the felt ones, the construction is quite poor, and without the interior horsehair the hats tend to be cheaper in price and quality. Most of those are plain and touristy, so be sure you know the quality you want before plunking down cash for something that someone bought at a Disneyland-bazaar and can be purchased from the party store.

I have a late 1800's victorian smoking cap that I will post when I'm able.

Vintage Betty

 

[scotrace]

I have a late 1800's victorian smoking cap that I will post when I'm able.

Vintage Betty

I keep watching this thread to see that!

 

[deanglen]

To make your own smoking cap:

Step One. Douse one of those adjustable trucker caps with kerosene.

Step two. Light it.

Step three. Stomp on it.


And.....voila! You have a smoking cap! Enjoy!




dean

 

[Vintage Betty]

I keep watching this thread to see that!

And here I thought you were watching this thread for my incredible wit and good looks!

 

[indycop]

To make your own smoking cap:

Step One. Douse one of those adjustable trucker caps with kerosene.

Step two. Light it.

Step three. Stomp on it.
And.....voila! You have a smoking cap! Enjoy!

dean

lol lol lol lol lol lol

 

[scotrace]

And here I thought you were watching this thread for my incredible wit and good looks!

I didn't want to be that obvious.

 

[The Wolf]

I don't smoke but wanted to get a lounging jacket and cap for wearing after work. I would wear my trousers and shirt (removing my tie) but with the cap and jacket to keep warm yet comfortable.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[AlanC]

Smoking caps are easy to make...

Do you know of any crochet patterns for them? My wife crochets and could be talked into this. She'd laugh, but do it.

 

[Doh!]

GREAT SCOTT! A Fez! Good grief! Now I have another silly hat to buy and add to my collection. Now where does one buy a really nice Fez (assuming Nice and Fez can go in the same sentence together) It cant be made of wool or I will break into a rash. Any help/recommendations/reviews?
Johnny

Get thee to Fez-O-Rama:

http://www.fez-o-rama.com/fez_buy.htm

I'm not sure of what material they're made, but they're comfortable as hell!

Plus, they're quilted in the interior for extra comfort.

 

[Dr. Shocker]

well some of them are velvety and satin others are tapa cloth and anything else those wacko's think is a good idea....gotta love my friends hehehe

 

[Ecuador Jim]

And here I thought you were watching this thread for my incredible wit and good looks!

That goes without saying

 

[Vintage Betty]

Do you know of any crochet patterns for them? My wife crochets and could be talked into this. She'd laugh, but do it.

Well, first of all, I don't crochet. So take anything I write in the following paragraph with a grain of salt:

If you want the standard smoking cap with 2-4" high sides and a flat top, you will need to crochet with thick and sturdy materials. I'm thinking rope-like yarn: sturdy, coated or uncoated, and strong. The reason for this is that the hat will flop and collapse on itself without the support required.

The above instructions assume your lovely wife will not be creating an interior support of horsehair or a similar material. If she is so kind to do this, than you can layer a yarn of your choice on top of that base.

I hope this makes sense.

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

I didn't want to be that obvious.

Go ahead...I won't mind. It'll be our little secret.

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

The cap isn't as bad as seen in most of these photos. I lightened them to show details. The last three are the correct view of the cap.

I believe this was hand-embroidered with the bullion, due to the uneveness of the stiching on the top design.

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

That goes without saying

Have I told you how Handsome you are today, hmmm????

Vintage Betty

 

[Ecuador Jim]

Lock & Co. still offer one:

All of these are quite "Fez" looking. The fashion must be another manifestation of the fascination for all things "Oriental" when the "Heathen" Turks were the ally of the West in that period following the Crimean War. This is the also the period when Turkish tobacco first became widely available, so it would make sense, in a way.

You forgot to mention the $300+ price!

 

[scotrace]

My master crochet-er (and unemployed) friend has pronounced this project a "forget it."

 

[Ecuador Jim]

Have I told you how Handsome you are today, hmmm????

Vintage Betty

You're taking a lot on faith since I've not yet uploaded an avatar. You, on the other hand are clearly gorgeous. And you know a great deal about smoking caps, which only adds to your allure.

Where in the world did you find them?

 

[Ecuador Jim]

My master crochet-er (and unemployed) friend has pronounced this project a "forget it."

You might be happier with that decision. I would think that a crocheted smoking cap would have the look of the headwear muslim men wear to worship. Wish my mom was still around, she could do wonders with a crochet hook.

 

[Vintage Betty]

You're taking a lot on faith since I've not yet uploaded an avatar. You, on the other hand are clearly gorgeous. And you know a great deal about smoking caps, which only adds to your allure.

Where in the world did you find them?

You think I'm gorgeous? Boy, I gotta visit this thread much more often. Yessiree I do.

It's pretty funny I know about smoking caps, since I have (low-grade) asthma. I've been standing next to people on street corners who smoke and I am coughing so hard they put their cigarettes out. They first think I am making a statement, than they realize I really can't breathe.

About smoking caps, I don't think I know more than anyone on this thread. But I have collected hats for so long, that I consider the smoking cap just another interesting hat to study. I'm sure one of our esteemed hatters could tell you much more. But I only have enough knowledge to make me dangerous.

And if anyone is interested, I'd sell the cap pictured.

Alternatively, I'd be happy to copy the hat and make a pattern with a download link.......but it's very simple. I can't imagine that anyone needs a paatern of this hat. Or do you??

Vintage Betty