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Once I have sized the sweat band and before I install the ferrule I tape the sweat ends together using a vinyl painters tape...not the paper but a yellow vinyl tape. I use two small pieces one at the reed and another to join the leather about half way down. Then I double check the sizing to make certain it fits into the felt properly....snug but without puckers. Once I am sure of the fit then I machine sew the sweat ends together. I start the stitch then remove the first tape then run it up and just before the reed I then remove the second piece of tape. If you use the vinyl painters tape it leaves zero glue residue yet holds the sweat well. The paper painter's tape does not hold well enough to keep the sweat ends that are under tension together.Hello Everyone,
I cut the brim down today, the brim is 3.25" wide, I had very little waste. I cut my sweatband down yesterday, 23 3/8" long then cut the reed at 24". I have got to find a better way to hold the sweatband ends together while I sew the ends together. I managed to get a bell shape in the sweatband, but it was a battle holding the ends together as I sewed it together. I always have trouble holding the ends together as I sew the ends together. I hand sew everything, including working with leather. My hat is still on the crown block, and I am using brim flange, I use the steam iron on the brim again today, working on giving the brim a slight bell shape. I will see how it turns out tomorrow. I will have to do a little sanding on the felt tomorrow and maybe I will get the sweatband installed. I did check the fit of the sweatband and it fits snug in the hat, and comfortable to wear. My homemade rounding jack worked well, but I will be converting back to a straight blade. Does anyone have a method that will make sewing the sweatband ends together easier?
Darrell