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Floppy felt

Felthats46

New in Town
Messages
2
Hi, new here and love this site. I'm making a fedora of sorts out of a wool felt hood with mild stiffener. I steam it and shape it then as I try to work on it the felt goes soft. I steam it again then it gets soft again. Does it just need additional stiffener? I have a good 190 proof shellac base stiffener but I have so much time in this I don't want to ruin it and make the felt hard and crispy. Thanks
 
Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
Hi, new here and love this site. I'm making a fedora of sorts out of a wool felt hood with mild stiffener. I steam it and shape it then as I try to work on it the felt goes soft. I steam it again then it gets soft again. Does it just need additional stiffener? I have a good 190 proof shellac base stiffener but I have so much time in this I don't want to ruin it and make the felt hard and crispy. Thanks
I mix my shellac using Super Blonde flakes and lots of denatured alcohol 95% pure. I mix it thin and apply very light coats until I get the stiffness that I want. I don't work with wool so not familiar but sometimes on the brim of my fur felts I will give it up to 4 of these light coats.
 

Felthats46

New in Town
Messages
2
Thank you. I just went ahead and rubbed in one coat. I don't know the ratio of this blend but I know its 190 proof with shellac from Leko hat supplies. It dries super fast. I hope I can still achieve good results with a few coats as you suggest. I appreciate the help
Sue
 

Styleslover

New in Town
Messages
30
Location
New York
Thank you. I just went ahead and rubbed in one coat. I don't know the ratio of this blend but I know its 190 proof with shellac from Leko hat supplies. It dries super fast. I hope I can still achieve good results with a few coats as you suggest. I appreciate the help
Sue
Good day, any updates?
 

Apollo

Familiar Face
Messages
84
I bought 3 wool felt capelines on sale just to try them out. One is very floppy and will need shellac for certain. I will report on my results but it will be a month or so before I get to it.
Thanks, I am looking to try it on a bone color hat!
 
Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
Thanks, I am looking to try it on a bone color hat!
A wool or fur felt? Whatever the felt mix the shellac weakly and apply sparingly. It is waaay easier to put on light coats in multiples if necessary rather than risking a too thick coat. If you get it too stiff it is a bitch to correct. Also, make sure you use nothing more colourful than Super Blonde on a bone felt. Clear is best but the Super Blonde is ok too.
 

Apollo

Familiar Face
Messages
84
A wool or fur felt? Whatever the felt mix the shellac weakly and apply sparingly. It is waaay easier to put on light coats in multiples if necessary rather than risking a too thick coat. If you get it too stiff it is a bitch to correct. Also, make sure you use nothing more colourful than Super Blonde on a bone felt. Clear is best but the Super Blonde is ok too.
It’s a beaver hat. I am trying to make the brim a little stiffer. Wow, I Didn’t know they had clear anymore!
 
Messages
10,839
Location
vancouver, canada
What about the hat stifineer spray, have you used it ?
No for me as a hat maker it is too expensive but for a once in a while treatment it is a lot easier & less expensive than the shellac/denatured alcohol. Don't use the Zinsers Spray Shellac from a DIY store as it has wax in it...it is not pure shellac....OK for wood, not for felts.
 

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