Practice hat #4.
I picked up a Royal Deluxe Stetson some weeks ago and the seller also had a Smithbilt that I really didn't want as it looked like wool, and I've read lots of bad things about wool hats here (can't re-block or re-shape them, stink when wet etc.). But the seller really wanted it gone so I took it. Size was 7 1/4 and I'm 7 3/8 so I'd need to stretch it.
I've always admired those wooden antique full-bodied stretchers, but I'm past the age where I'm buying new tools and I have a lifetime of accumulated junk here, so I made a facsimile. At least it has an antique doorknob.
The Smithbilt - fits most of the criteria for a low-quality hat, wool, vinyl hatband with tin conchos, paper-backed vinyl sweatband without a reed).
Soaked it in warm water and stretched and re-blocked it in one operation. I was concerned that there would be an imprint of the open area on the top and sides, but other than the top of the crown having some wrinkles it seemed fine. By the way it did not smell ant all when wet.
After dry for 2 days and string removed.
Off the stretcher I put it on my full block and between Ironing and hand massaging I got the top of the crown in shape. Ironed the brim flat and set the brim break. Didn't want to put the cheap sweat back in and didn't want to buy a new sweat for what's essentially a beater hat (there's an old saying about a silk purse and a sow's ear that some of you may remember), so I made a reeded leather sweat from stuff I had around, made my own liner (not very good - needs practice) and use the polyester 'grosgrain' for the ribbon. Lastly, ironed the brim on my belly board.
And a question - how do I keep the thumbnails from appearing on the bottom of the post?
I picked up a Royal Deluxe Stetson some weeks ago and the seller also had a Smithbilt that I really didn't want as it looked like wool, and I've read lots of bad things about wool hats here (can't re-block or re-shape them, stink when wet etc.). But the seller really wanted it gone so I took it. Size was 7 1/4 and I'm 7 3/8 so I'd need to stretch it.
I've always admired those wooden antique full-bodied stretchers, but I'm past the age where I'm buying new tools and I have a lifetime of accumulated junk here, so I made a facsimile. At least it has an antique doorknob.
The Smithbilt - fits most of the criteria for a low-quality hat, wool, vinyl hatband with tin conchos, paper-backed vinyl sweatband without a reed).
Soaked it in warm water and stretched and re-blocked it in one operation. I was concerned that there would be an imprint of the open area on the top and sides, but other than the top of the crown having some wrinkles it seemed fine. By the way it did not smell ant all when wet.
After dry for 2 days and string removed.
Off the stretcher I put it on my full block and between Ironing and hand massaging I got the top of the crown in shape. Ironed the brim flat and set the brim break. Didn't want to put the cheap sweat back in and didn't want to buy a new sweat for what's essentially a beater hat (there's an old saying about a silk purse and a sow's ear that some of you may remember), so I made a reeded leather sweat from stuff I had around, made my own liner (not very good - needs practice) and use the polyester 'grosgrain' for the ribbon. Lastly, ironed the brim on my belly board.
And a question - how do I keep the thumbnails from appearing on the bottom of the post?