What Hat Are You Working On Today?

[RickP]

I did get the ribbon sewn on the Navy blue Sovereign last night, Did some brim straightening and brim blocking overnight ( got a little snap up in back and down in front now).Gave the liner a woolite bath. Liner still looked pretty grungy after wash, but when it dried it no longer looked like greasy parchment paper, and has an even gold/ creme tint. Still has a nice satin sheen and the liner imprinting survived. Just need a bit of wrinkle steaming before I call it done. SO... Had to find a blue shirt to go with it outside. Really happy with how its turning out... To bad it has an under welt brim edge.... this one would look great with a brim edge binding that matched the ribbon

 

[Blare]

I did get the ribbon sewn on the Navy blue Sovereign last night, Did some brim straightening and brim blocking overnight ( got a little snap up in back and down in front now).Gave the liner a woolite bath. Liner still looked pretty grungy after wash, but when it dried it no longer looked like greasy parchment paper, and has an even gold/ creme tint. Still has a nice satin sheen and the liner imprinting survived. Just need a bit of wrinkle steaming before I call it done. SO... Had to find a blue shirt to go with it outside. Really happy with how its turning out... To bad it has an under welt brim edge.... this one would look great with a brim edge binding that matched the ribbon

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Looks great. Nice job!

 

[RickP]

Several days ago I removed a crunchy cellophane liner top on a nice little 3x Open Road. When I removed the faded, crunchy not-so-clear part, it became evident that whomever had it before me had reblocked the hat at about a 10% angle off center. ( guess they were in a bit of a hurry). Didnt really affect how it wore, but everytime I looked inside it, it bugged me to see the ribbon in back about an inch and a half to the left, and the "Open Road" imprinting in front an inch and a half to the right of center.

So today I couldnt stand it anymore... I fired the steam up and softened everything and re-blocked the crown back to square where it should be. No wonkiness in the brim and no funny dimples on the crown... SUCCESS!. Not a horribly big deal, but now its fixed. Thank goodness for nice soft felt that shapes well. Lots simpler than pulling the sweatband out and re-sewing it back in the correct orientation lol.. A bit miffed to also find that the liner is actually glued in at the bottom of the liner, and its a few degrees off center still.... Ill deal with THAT another day. Looks the same on the head now , but I no longer have that little gnawing irritation I felt everytime I looked inside it. Time to go light the firepit, make a big Mojito, and celebrate a minor success.

 

[RickP]

A while back I posted a picture of an old family hat... An early 50s Knox Premier with a 2" brim, centerdent cown with a 2-1/4" ribbon with a backbow. Hat is in really nice condition but due to the back-bow and really large grosgrain ribbon, it just didnt look right on the head. ( guess I dont have an early 50s shaped head lol) I kinda wanted to leave it the way it was, but decided to modernize it just a bit so it would actually get worn.

I removed the ribbon and bow and after a bit of ironing, they are still in great shape. If anyone needs a nice dark brown, wide 2-1/4" ribbon and Back-bow, let me know... Ill donate it to a good home so it can live again.

I had some slightly lighter brown 1-1/2" wide grosgrain, so I made a new ribbon and side bow. I think it looks nice and is much more wearable now.

I removed the yellowed crunchy cellophane top from the liner and its a beautiful white with a perfect logo. Ill pull out the Woolite bottle later and wash the side skirts a bit... they're in pretty decent appearance, but they are just a bit dingy. Ill see if I can get them whiter to match the top better.

Did just a little steaming and smoothing where the backbow had left a couple vertical dents in the back of the crown. Past that I really didnt have to do ANYTHING.... Nice clean hat,

Haven't sewn the ribbon band down permanently yet, so its heading out to the coffee shop as-is this morning. Trying to decide if I like the bow where it is or whether I like it rotated rearward on the crown just a bit before I stitch it down. I think it looks much more refined with the slightly slimmer ribbon.

Anyway.. another older hat back out in the sunlight!

 

[RickP]

Got a little maintenance done on the new Gun Club. Pulled the liner out so I could remove the cellophane and steam some wrinkles out prior to a woolite bath. While liner was out I went ahead and did some minor steaming and reblocking ( nothing big... just flattening a few wrinkles). Vaccumed and knocked about a 1/2 pound of dust off and now it actually looks like a long hair hat! I can actually see the hairs!

Actually looks pretty decent. Have a couple little broken threads on the sweatband that need restitching, but since that will require removing the hatband ribbon, Ill wait till tomorrow to get that started... Ill wear it out for a coffee shop debut in the morning first.

This is a nice little hat. Most of my hats are wider brims, but I do have a few smaller ones like this... It WILL get out and about from time to time!

 

[wsmontana]

Here is an old Tan Bark 3X Resistol in rough condition that I refurbished. I took 1/2” off of the brim and got rid of 95% of the moth damage. The felt had lots of blotches (chemical spill?) so I attempted to dye it into an Acorn color (actual Rit color used is called Marigold).

Here is the original that shows damage on edge of brim and blotches on the felt.

I cleaned the hat thoroughly and then removed the ribbon and brushed the dye directly on the felt with a foam brush. I let it dry and repeated 2 more times and then shaped the hat. Here is how it looked:

You can still see some blotching (towards the rear) and the ribbon no longer matches.

I then soaked the ribbon in the dye and did another round of dye on the felt. I then washed the hat in a mild detergent and after drying here are the final results:

Most of the blotching is gone but there are still signs of sweat stains on the underside. I saw very little bleeding of the color in the final washing so it appears to be color fast (I‘ll have to wear in the rain to test). Overall I’m pretty happy with the results.

 

[The Shoe]

Here is an old Tan Bark 3X Resistol in rough condition that I refurbished. I took 1/2” off of the brim and got rid of 95% of the moth damage. The felt had lots of blotches (chemical spill?) so I attempted to dye it into an Acorn color (actual Rit color used is called Marigold).

Here is the original that shows damage on edge of brim and blotches on the felt.
View attachment 651265

I cleaned the hat thoroughly and then removed the ribbon and brushed the dye directly on the felt with a foam brush. I let it dry and repeated 2 more times and then shaped the hat. Here is how it looked:


View attachment 651266

You can still see some blotching (towards the rear) and the ribbon no longer matches.

I the soaked the ribbon in the dye and did another round of dye on the felt. I then washed the hat in a mild detergent and after drying here are the final results:

View attachment 651267
View attachment 651269

Most of the blotching is gone but there are still signs of sweat stains on the underside. I saw very little bleeding of the color in the final washing so it appears to be color fast (I‘ll have to wear in the rain to test). Overall I’m pretty happy with the results.

Looks great. Fantastic job. Well done!

 

[RickP]

Here is an old Tan Bark 3X Resistol in rough condition that I refurbished. I took 1/2” off of the brim and got rid of 95% of the moth damage. The felt had lots of blotches (chemical spill?) so I attempted to dye it into an Acorn color (actual Rit color used is called Marigold).

Here is the original that shows damage on edge of brim and blotches on the felt.
View attachment 651265

I cleaned the hat thoroughly and then removed the ribbon and brushed the dye directly on the felt with a foam brush. I let it dry and repeated 2 more times and then shaped the hat. Here is how it looked:


View attachment 651266

You can still see some blotching (towards the rear) and the ribbon no longer matches.

I then soaked the ribbon in the dye and did another round of dye on the felt. I then washed the hat in a mild detergent and after drying here are the final results:

View attachment 651267
View attachment 651269

Most of the blotching is gone but there are still signs of sweat stains on the underside. I saw very little bleeding of the color in the final washing so it appears to be color fast (I‘ll have to wear in the rain to test). Overall I’m pretty happy with the results.

good save

 

[VoodooSan]

Here is an old Tan Bark 3X Resistol in rough condition that I refurbished. I took 1/2” off of the brim and got rid of 95% of the moth damage. The felt had lots of blotches (chemical spill?) so I attempted to dye it into an Acorn color (actual Rit color used is called Marigold).

Here is the original that shows damage on edge of brim and blotches on the felt.
View attachment 651265

I cleaned the hat thoroughly and then removed the ribbon and brushed the dye directly on the felt with a foam brush. I let it dry and repeated 2 more times and then shaped the hat. Here is how it looked:


View attachment 651266

You can still see some blotching (towards the rear) and the ribbon no longer matches.

I then soaked the ribbon in the dye and did another round of dye on the felt. I then washed the hat in a mild detergent and after drying here are the final results:

View attachment 651267
View attachment 651269

Most of the blotching is gone but there are still signs of sweat stains on the underside. I saw very little bleeding of the color in the final washing so it appears to be color fast (I‘ll have to wear in the rain to test). Overall I’m pretty happy with the results.

Holy moly, Bill!!!! You did a FANTASTIC job on that one!!!! Kudos!!

 

[wsmontana]

Looks great. Fantastic job. Well done!

good save

Holy moly, Bill!!!! You did a FANTASTIC job on that one!!!! Kudos!!

Thanks guys! Those old 3x Resistols are nice project hats and are fairly cheap and easy to come by around here.

 

[StuK323]

Here is an old Tan Bark 3X Resistol in rough condition that I refurbished. I took 1/2” off of the brim and got rid of 95% of the moth damage. The felt had lots of blotches (chemical spill?) so I attempted to dye it into an Acorn color (actual Rit color used is called Marigold).

Here is the original that shows damage on edge of brim and blotches on the felt.
View attachment 651265

I cleaned the hat thoroughly and then removed the ribbon and brushed the dye directly on the felt with a foam brush. I let it dry and repeated 2 more times and then shaped the hat. Here is how it looked:


View attachment 651266

You can still see some blotching (towards the rear) and the ribbon no longer matches.

I then soaked the ribbon in the dye and did another round of dye on the felt. I then washed the hat in a mild detergent and after drying here are the final results:

View attachment 651267
View attachment 651269

Most of the blotching is gone but there are still signs of sweat stains on the underside. I saw very little bleeding of the color in the final washing so it appears to be color fast (I‘ll have to wear in the rain to test). Overall I’m pretty happy with the results.

I'm really drawn to this. the transformation is excellent. Top work.

 

[wsmontana]

I'm really drawn to this. the transformation is excellent. Top work.

Thanks Stu!

 

[RickP]

Some of the Black hats were looking a bit bland, so I did a little sprucing up with some feathers today. Definately changes their appearance!

 

[Thunderbird47]

First post - long time lurker. I had a great find yesterday at the flea market. This Royal Stetson Stratoliner is in unbelievably great shape, especially given that it wasn’t in a box. I’m no expert, but I think this is a really old hat. 1940s? 1950s? It’s my style. I could basically block it and just start wearing it - my concern is that the sweatband will rapidly age and I’ll end up replacing it. I’ve replaced sweats before and had good results, but is this hat too clean, too special to wear? Or should I just go for it and replace the sweat if it falls apart?
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[RickP]

First post - long time lurker. I had a great find yesterday at the flea market. This Royal Stetson Stratoliner is in unbelievably great shape, especially given that it wasn’t in a box. I’m no expert, but I think this is a really old hat. 1940s? 1950s? It’s my style. I could basically block it and just start wearing it - my concern is that the sweatband will rapidly age and I’ll end up replacing it. I’ve replaced sweats before and had good results, but is this hat too clean, too special to wear? Or should I just go for it and replace the sweat if it falls apart?
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Id say Treat the sweatband with a good preservative like Pecards and roll with it a while, If it bothers you later, go for it and replace the sweat. Ive got more than a few older hats with once dry rotted and ripped leather sweatbands. To Me, they wear just fine, and I opted to patch the rips with a really thin leather like lizard and keep things original. Anyone can wear a perfect hat... Lots of us like hats with honest milage and character!

 

[Thunderbird47]

Id say Treat the sweatband with a good preservative like Pecards and roll with it a while, If it bothers you later, go for it and replace the sweat. Ive got more than a few older hats with once dry rotted and ripped leather sweatbands. To Me, they wear just fine, and I opted to patch the rips with a really thin leather like lizard and keep things original. Anyone can wear a perfect hat... Lots of us like hats with honest milage and character!

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve got some Chamberlains on hand to treat the leather. I’ve never used lizard, but that’s a great idea to save an old sweat.

 

[RickP]

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve got some Chamberlains on hand to treat the leather. I’ve never used lizard, but that’s a great idea to save an old sweat.

I do leatherwork among other things, and Ive had a big bag of lizard skins for ages that I never had a use for ( generally pretty small) till I discovered they work well on sweatbands ( nice and thin)

 

[RickP]

Expecting my brim curling tools in monday or tuesday, so I did a bit of brim flattening on the project Resistol to get ready. Figured Id better take a "before" picture so I can see how much damage I can do with a new tool/ toy this week Lol!

Ive got some nice conchos on hand for the new hatband, and did walk into a couple southwestern hatband conchos in auctions recently.. ones fairly modern, but the other looks to be handmade silver and Im guessing 50-60 yrs old... Cant wait to see what it looks like in hand. I used to know a couple good silversmiths in northern New Mexico years back that did some work for me, but they are both passed. Guess If I ever find that perfect 100x / Pure Beaver, Ill have to do some research and find another artisan for a perfect hatband. Bigger conchos are the easiest way to camouflage a really tall crown. Way better that scrunching it down into a 3" deep top lol. Really looking forward to seeing what a full 1/2" brim curl does with a bit of front and read swoop

 

[RickP]

Expecting my brim curling tools in monday or tuesday, so I did a bit of brim flattening on the project Resistol to get ready. Figured Id better take a "before" picture so I can see how much damage I can do with a new tool/ toy this week Lol!

Ive got some nice conchos on hand for the new hatband, and did walk into a couple southwestern hatband conchos in auctions recently.. ones fairly modern, but the other looks to be handmade silver and Im guessing 50-60 yrs old... Cant wait to see what it looks like in hand. I used to know a couple good silversmiths in northern New Mexico years back that did some work for me, but they are both passed. Guess If I ever find that perfect 100x / Pure Beaver, Ill have to do some research and find another artisan for a perfect hatband. Bigger conchos are the easiest way to camouflage a really tall crown. Way better that scrunching it down into a 3" deep top lol. Really looking forward to seeing what a full 1/2" brim curl does with a bit of front and read swoop

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Arrrgh! the silver hatband was glued on... darn it. Took an hour of steaming and fingernail picking but I finally got it all off. The old band is a rubber material with the fake silver covering... it has a little black liner on both top and bottom edges that would have been perfect for stitching and hiding a few darts in. Almost as irritating to have an otherwise nice hat with the liner glued in.

One of the concho bands should be here today and MAYBE the brim curling tool.... Update to come soon!

 

[RickP]

Got a couple boxes in today.... One was one of the modern turquoise/ nickle silver concho hatbands. I actually ordered this one to go on my turquoise Hemp Stratoliner, but it looks pretty cool against black. Im still leaning towards an all silver coin concho band ( Maybe Morgan Dollars) for such a large hat. Another box was from a friend who raises Some foul... I now have a source of Guinea feathers! Im sure Ill figure out something to do with them on a hat.