FedoraFest IV

[Rabbit]

That what I had thought Chi-town. Optimo and RLK

Windy City - AWESOME!!! :flame:
Perhaps I'll be able to make the trip...

 

[jbucklin]

So, would this be at Graham's shop? Who are some other hatters in the Windy City?

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Well Falcon park is pretty close.

Later

 

[Joshbru3]

FedoraFest IV was an amazing success and a tremendous amount of fun!! I can't thank Mike & Rusty enough for planning this years Fedora Fest actives. Mike's wonderful generosity made this trip one that I will always remember. Even though I have been working on hats for a while, I had never made my own from scratch. Mike let us have free reign over his hatters tools and machines which was really special to me.

The people at this Fedorafest gathering really made it wonderful. It was amazing to see some familiar faces as well as meet some FL members that I had only seen on my computer screen. Thank you so much, Mike, Art, and Rocky for guiding me through my first "from scratch" hat build and showing me some wonderful hatters tricks that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

I want to thank Rusty for picking me up from the train station on very short notice. I also want to thank all the people who took wonderful pictures this year and posted them to the lounge. I especially want to thank Bill and Robert for driving me back to Chicago even though the NATO summit was going on. I must say, during the trip back was the first time I have ever had to get out of a car on the highway. LOL.

This years event truly had some wonderful people, wonderful hats, but most important wonderful memories. It was a pleasure spending those few days with all of my FL family and I hope we can all do it again next year.

NEXT YEAR IN CHICAGO!!!

 

[Joshbru3]

We must have been pretty exhausted since I now have Bill's camera as well as Josh's suit and tie.

LOL, so that's where that stuff went.:eusa_doh:

 

[Art Fawcett]

All I can do is echo the sentiments offered so far.
I had a ball at this Fest even though I was put to work as soon as I walked in.)) Mike could not have been more generous with his time, knowledge, & equipment. It is really very rewarding to find another pro ready to share tips & sources that ordinarily would not be shared. With Robert, Buler, & Josh making their own hats under the watchful eyes ( a little heckling never hurt) of everyone there made it extra special.
Meeting TWH and Thunderball was terrific & seeing old friends like BobC & Mrs BobC, Neo, Jeff, BarrowJ et al is icing on the cake. The fact that it was so close to Memphis made this old Blues fan's heart beat faster than it has in quite a while , especially when when it's Barrelhouse's brother and my client on stage. All of this combined made for a very special and personal trip for me & I Thank you ALL involved. :eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

Well done Rusty & Mike... now...how can we con .. I mean persuade Graham to host next year?

 

[EggHead]

Fellas, I really enjoyed the photos from FFIV - Thanks!

 

[1961MJS]

...I want to thank Rusty for picking me up from the train station on very short notice. I also want to thank all the people who took wonderful pictures this year and posted them to the lounge. I especially want to thank Bill and Robert for driving me back to Chicago even though the NATO summit was going on. I must say, during the trip back was the first time I have ever had to get out of a car on the highway. LOL. ...

O.K. I'm dying to know how the train trip went with the Tommy Gun. That has to be fun right there. That and getting through the NATO summit with it.

Later

 

[majormoore]

The meeting doesn't have to be at a hat shop, or a visit, but it does help, even if we are able to visit a hat shop there is a ton of stuff to do and hang out at in the Windy City.



Major Moore

So, would this be at Graham's shop? Who are some other hatters in the Windy City?

 

[Thunderball]

I had a blast. But now I am thinking of all the hats I need / want to buy. I put one on order when I was up there. It will be special.
After seeing Art in that semi-Calado Dualist , I am trying hard not to order one of those as well. And I still have a hat body on the way from Panama Bob to get finished by Mike Moore.

 

[Chief000731]

Sounds like everybody had a good time I sure wish I could have made it... Well next one maybe I'm still going to see Major Moore this summer though... Carl

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

So here is Bill's fist full of Dollars hat. Who wouldn't want this hat and Bill said I have always wanted one so he and Mike made it.

here is the original.

Now this is the first step in making a hat pushing the fur on to the hat block this is hard work and you could get burned from the steam used to soften the fur so that it can be pushed down onto the block.

Notice Bill is wearing the gloves and Mike is steaming he got hit by the steam and burned his hand a little.

Bill takes over and works on pulling the hat down on the block.

Bill still working on get the fur all the way flush on the hat block.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I didn't get bill pouncing his crown where was I hmmmm. I must have been with Robert looking at his collection of vintage hat ad's wonderful stuff.

So here is Bill sanding his brim.

Rocky has put the bash in the crown now and is getting ready to sand the brim.

Here Mike is getting ready to pounce the brim of Bill's hat.

Bill working on the bottom of his brim.

After this was finished Bill and Mike picked out a ribbon for the brim binding. I didn't get a picture of Mike sewing the binding and Bill is going to use a leather band on his hat. He said he is going to make his own so he picked up a leather band from Mike's to hold him over till he gets around to making it.

Now look at the smile. Bill was so happy with his hat and it looks great. Great meeting you Bill and thanks again for letting me pick up
a Stetson 100 from you.

 

[BR Gordon]

Ed, Thanks for the great tutorial.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

BR I have video of Robert working on his hat.
Will post that later. Also wanted to show how much work it takes to make a hat. I know Josh,Bill and Robert found out.

 

[BR Gordon]

Notice Bill is wearing the gloves and Mike is steaming he got hit by the steam and burned his hand a little.

I had not realized that hat making could be so hazardous.

 

[Joshbru3]

Ed, thanks so much for posting all of these wonderful photos!!! You really captured the entire hat making experience for me on film. I will treasure these pictures!!

 

[Chepstow]

Ed, thanks for sharing. Wonderful photos and a great tutorial in hat making!

 

[Chief000731]

That is a BEAUTIFUL HAT a very nice job and very special when you get to make it and help make it... Chief

 

[buler]

That is a BEAUTIFUL HAT a very nice job and very special when you get to make it and help make it... Chief

Thanks Chief! We both have great hats thanks to Major Mike!

B