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One of mine:The open crown is supposed to allow us to create the look we want, right ?
One of mine:The open crown is supposed to allow us to create the look we want, right ?
That's how I use it. I work on a dry (without steam or water) crease to get an idea where the hat wants to go. Then when I'm satisfied, I add steam and work the crease into a better "hold," sometimes actually holding the shape in place with my hands while the felt dries.I have a tea kettle. An electric one, but it will spew steam from the spout if left on long enough. I also have a steam iron that will exude steam in bursts. The video (thanks, @Tukwila) was very informative. It seems the steam is more to "cement" the shape, am I right?
Jack, that looks great. How do you form the rounded dome in the middle of the crown? I watched a hatter use a small block to do this once and I thought maybe a small ball of sorts might work???
While I'm waiting for my Akubra Campdraft (seems Australian Post is holding up a lot of things these days), it occurs to me that I might not actually know how to shape the crown. I vaguely recall from my youth shaping a cowboy hat by simply mashing and bashing it, but now I'm thinking that may not be the best approach. The open crown is supposed to allow us to create the look we want, right ? So what is the best way to go about doing so?
The reason men's bows and adornments (feathers and such) are on the left side of the hat is archaic, going back to the days of old when swords were the primary means of self defense. Most men were right handed and didn't want to run the risk of the sword getting caught up in the plumage. Of course, modern men don't have that concern, but the style remains intact. As for me, the closest I come to swordplay these days is employing my once rapier like wit which has dulled with age to more of a butter knife like wit. Now if someone out there could help me make sense of the female/male, left/right button placement thing...My daughter has mostly vintage men's hats from the 50s - 70s and wears them as unisex. I think she looks great in them. IMO, too much emphasis is put on whether the ribbon is on the left or the right.
Your idea of a puggaree is a good one, I think. Looks great on either side and is quite chic.
I have seen women's hats online, though, with the ribbon on the right.
Ooooh! I like this one!
And here's some email spam I got from Urban Outfitters the other day
The reason men's bows and adornments (feathers and such) are on the left side of the hat is archaic, going back to the days of old when swords were the primary means of self defense. Most men were right handed and didn't want to run the risk of the sword getting caught up in the plumage. Of course, modern men don't have that concern, but the style remains intact. As for me, the closest I come to swordplay these days is employing my once rapier like wit which has dulled with age to more of a butter knife like wit. Now if someone out there could help me make sense of the female/male, left/right button placement thing...
Thanks Fruno. That actually makes sense if you're a rich woman with attendants. By the same token, I suppose, it makes it easier for one with amorous intent to aid in the removal of said garment. Otherwise, it seems to be another of those outdated fashion functions that persist beyond all present day practicality.Women's buttons are on the other side to facilitate being dressed by an attendant.
Sent directly from my mind to yours.
Tuk, I don't have an easy pic to get to on file but I have one of those heated adjustable hat stretcher/shapers like others here have. Most of the time I use it in closed position instead of open to size. When closed it makes a nice rounded dome on top & I just pull the hat down enough to get the dome shape I want. By the way, I never use the heater; don't even know if it works because the unit has an old cloth electrical cord which I have never replaced.Jack, that looks great. How do you form the rounded dome in the middle of the crown? I watched a hatter use a small block to do this once and I thought maybe a small ball of sorts might work???
Can anybody help me to find some techniques for distressing hats?
thank you)) but i'm interested in artificial techniques of distressingWear it in rough conditions for several years?
Sent directly from my mind to yours.
to each his own))I spend so much time and worry about keeping my hats looking nice, it seems the very antithesis - to me, at least - to even think of distressing a hat. I am useless for this venture.
Oh.....ah.......oh........hmmmmmmmmmm..............I am having a hard time on this one.......with as much as many of us spend on our hats here, we spend most of our time carressing, smoothing and soothing our fur freinds...........we none of us, would think about harming them.Can anybody help me to find some techniques for distressing hats?