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moontheloon · Oct 3, 2016

fetching said:
Hi folks, I'm looking for some instructions on how to make grosgrain hat bands and the bows. I can't seem to find any video tutorials anywhere and I really don't want to reverse engineer my vintage hats and mess them up. Are the bands and bows one continuous piece of ribbon or are they separate and how exactly do they connect together, and to the hat?
Thanks in advance for any info.

a few people you can contact for educated info... all of these people do fantastic ribbon and bow work

@EstherWeis
@Art Fawcett
@Gannon Hat Company
@Cane Rod Maker
@bond
@moehawk
@bendingoak
@DOGMAN

moehawk · Oct 4, 2016

Thanks for the props, moon!
I'm the only one on that list that's not a pro or semi-pro hatter...I'm flattered!

hatsRme · Oct 4, 2016

There are tutorial videos somewhere here, too. Keep looking!

EstherWeis · Oct 4, 2016

There's a good old school hatting book I can recommend you. It has many instructions on different types of bows.

There are many ways of doing them. Pm away.

LuvMyMan · Oct 5, 2016

moehawk said:
Thanks for the props, moon!
I'm the only one on that list that's not a pro or semi-pro hatter...I'm flattered!

Haha He can collect from you later...hahah (just kidding)....

LuvMyMan · Oct 5, 2016

Rick Blaine said:
IS THIS A STETSON BOSS RAW EDGE?

That is a lot of hat. What color? Looks almost like a light grey on my monitor!

emigran · Oct 5, 2016

OK ... some while back there was shown here at FL a HAT STORAGE THINGIE... It was plastic with multiple clear (zippered (if I remember) compartments that that could be hung on a rack or closet... anyone remember where or what...!?!?
Thanks all...

Frunobulax · Oct 5, 2016

emigran said:
OK ... some while back there was shown here at FL a HAT STORAGE THINGIE... It was plastic with multiple clear (zippered (if I remember) compartments that that could be hung on a rack or closet... anyone remember where or what...!?!?
Thanks all...

Like this?

We have a couple. Seems to be iffy for anything with a decent brim, though, unless you mind them being curled.

RJR · Oct 5, 2016

Frunobulax said:
Like this?

We have a couple. Seems to be iffy for anything with a decent brim, though, unless you mind them being curled.

You are correct,Fruno.I use one but its for +/- 2 1/2" brims or less,

Rick Blaine · Oct 6, 2016

Even as I hold this in my hand, I am only 'bout 70% sure this is a fur not a wool hat...
I put the steam to it to effect a four pointed crown and it didn't smell like a wet sheep (lanolin) or a mutton roast, so far so good.
Anyone know? Have one? It's a vintage from Cabelas with their (quite clever) adjustable cloth sweat.

emigran · Oct 8, 2016

Frunobulax said:
Like this?

We have a couple. Seems to be iffy for anything with a decent brim, though, unless you mind them being curled.

yep that's the THINGIE... none of my brims exceed 2 3/8 so it may very well be the trick... I gotta measure for sure... Thank you, Sir...

Jeremiah · Oct 9, 2016

Hello folks. My name is Jeremiah and I am also a member at COW. So maybe some of you will know me from there. I recently picked up off eBay a vintage Dobbs.
Has the corrugated sweat band near the bow. Has a $20 price under the sweat from Jim Patterson of Sacramento CA.
It's in the post as I write this headed my way.
My question is, my two vintage Borsolinos feel like velvet or chamois. What can I expect the Dobbs to feel like in comparison?
The Dobbs has the "Dobbs edge" and here is an eBay pic. Pretty beat up but I like the look.

RJR · Oct 9, 2016

Jeremiah said:
Hello folks. My name is Jeremiah and I am also a member at COW. So maybe some of you will know me from there. I recently picked up off eBay a vintage Dobbs.
Has the corrugated sweat band near the bow. Has a $20 price under the sweat from Jim Patterson of Sacramento CA.
It's in the post as I write this headed my way.
My question is, my two vintage Borsolinos feel like velvet or chamois. What can I expect the Dobbs to feel like in comparison?
The Dobbs has the "Dobbs edge" and here is an eBay pic. Pretty beat up but I like the look.

It ought to be quality felt,but my guess is it won't be anywhere near as nice as the Borsos.

Jeremiah · Oct 9, 2016

RJR said:
It ought to be quality felt,but my guess is it won't be anywhere near as nice as the Borsos.

I figured but loved the look so much. Any idea as to a date? Thanks.

Frunobulax · Oct 9, 2016

Jeremiah said:
I figured but loved the look so much. Any idea as to a date? Thanks.

Post 1960. My experience with Dobbs of this era (which isn't much), is that it will be stiffer and not as malleable. Still nice felt, but like RJR said, not up to the standards you're accustomed to.

Jeremiah · Oct 9, 2016

Ok that helps. Were Dobbs of this era mainly rabbit or hare or even a blend?

Well thanks.

Bigger Don · Oct 9, 2016

Who's got opinions about hat jacks/stretchers? What should I look for and avoid?

I see some in cedar, which sounds good for off season storage, IOW discouraging moths.

Some seem taller than others. Important?

Some come in different size ranges. My guess is that impacts both the length of the screw mechanism as well as the arc of two ends. These are about $20, give or take.

Which gets me to thinking about head shape. Is there anything special I should consider as an 7 5/8 XLO?

I see one that is (supposedly) custom made for $70, which may help with my extremely oddly shaped head.

Thoughts?

Jeremiah · Oct 10, 2016

Bigger Don said:
Who's got opinions about hat jacks/stretchers? What should I look for and avoid?

I see some in cedar, which sounds good for off season storage, IOW discouraging moths.

Some seem taller than others. Important?

Some come in different size ranges. My guess is that impacts both the length of the screw mechanism as well as the arc of two ends. These are about $20, give or take.

Which gets me to thinking about head shape. Is there anything special I should consider as an 7 5/8 XLO?

I see one that is (supposedly) custom made for $70, which may help with my extremely oddly shaped head.

Thoughts?

I know I am brand new here, but I do own one vintage hat size retainer. It's got a wide area to cover all of the sweat band, even the wider vintage ones.
I was told not to ever get the cheap plastic ones. You do have a good question with the shape but I think they are all generally the same. I got mine which is for smaller hats so make sure you don't get one that you would need to stretch you hat just to fit the thing inside.
Here is mine.

On a seperate note. Here is another Dobbs I picked up on eBay. 60s?

moontheloon · Oct 10, 2016

Jeremiah said:
I know I am brand new here, but I do own one vintage hat size retainer. It's got a wide area to cover all of the sweat band, even the wider vintage ones.
I was told not to ever get the cheap plastic ones. You do have a good question with the shape but I think they are all generally the same. I got mine which is for smaller hats so make sure you don't get one that you would need to stretch you hat just to fit the thing inside.
Here is mine.

On a seperate note. Here is another Dobbs I picked up on eBay. 60s?

is there a plastic protector over the tip?
and can you take a pic of the tip logo ?

looks to be 50s from what I can see

is your head really that small ?

Jeremiah · Oct 10, 2016

moontheloon said:
is there a plastic protector over the tip?
and can you take a pic of the tip logo ?

looks to be 50s from what I can see

is your head really that small ?

Yes. Ha. I am a small guy.
Please excuse my ignorance but where and what is the tip logo?
I have this pic.

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