SIX HATS. TEN DAYS. TWO HANDS. DECADES OF HISTORY. ONE HATMAKER.

[TheSocialHat]

View attachment IMG_7984.jpeg
Well, gentlemen, as promised, here’s an update on my vintage hatmaking adventure!
Some of you may remember my earlier post about acquiring approximately 150 vintage rabbit fur felt hat bodies, along with more than 900 vintage hat blocks and flanges, tools, and equipment from the historic Batsakes Hat Shop in Cincinnati, established in 1907.
At the time, I mentioned my plans to bring these beautiful old felts back to life.
Well, ten days later, the first SIX hats from my CARIBOU COLLECTION are finished!
All six were handcrafted from vintage TONAK rabbit fur felt bodies that had been preserved for decades. Each was individually blocked, shaped, and finished by my own two hands here in North Carolina.
And what an incredible learning experience these past ten days have been!
Before sharing the photographs, I’d like to say something about my journey in this wonderful industry.
I do not consider myself a Master Hatmaker, nor a Master Hat Agent. I consider myself a lifelong student of an extraordinary craft and industry.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from people I deeply respect, including Grant Sergott of Optimo Hatworks in Bisbee, Arizona, and Mr. Gus Miller of Batsakes Hat Shop.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to visit and work with some remarkable hat factories throughout Europe and the United States.
I’ve watched exceptional craftspeople at work, studied their techniques, learned about materials and production methods, and gained an enormous appreciation for the knowledge, patience, and skill that traditional hatmaking requires.
But there’s a big difference between watching experienced hands perform their magic and putting your own hands to work!
And these six hats certainly reminded me of that!
The steam, the blocking, the ironing, the flanging, the ribbon work, the finishing, and those little adjustments that can make all the difference between a good hat and a beautiful one.
Now comes the part I’m especially looking forward to: YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!
One of the reasons I’ve always appreciated the Fedora Lounge is the extraordinary knowledge found among its members.
This isn’t simply a place where people admire hats. It’s a community of dedicated hat aficionados who understand the history, proportions, materials, construction, and finer details of quality headwear.
That’s precisely why I’m sharing these six finished hats here.
I welcome every observation, suggestion, and constructive criticism you care to offer.
Whether it’s the crown proportions, brim treatment, ribbon selection, bow construction, overall balance, or finishing details, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
Please don’t worry about hurting my feelings. You won’t!
I’m not posting these hats because I believe I’ve mastered the craft. Quite the opposite. I’m sharing them because I believe that even after more than 25 years in the hat industry, there’s always something new to learn.
And who better to learn from than fellow hat enthusiasts who truly understand and appreciate the craft?
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in these ten days, but I’m even more excited about what I can improve on the next 5.
And speaking of what’s next…
THE MIDNIGHT BLUES COLLECTION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY!
Another beautiful group of vintage fur felt bodies, another chapter in this adventure, and another opportunity to give decades-old materials a new life.
For me, this is about preserving a craft, respecting its history, and continuing to learn from those who share the same passion.
One vintage felt. One hatmaker. One hat at a time.
Handcrafted in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Looking forward to your comments, gentlemen. The good, the bad, and everything in between!

Hat people always shine!


Pablo Alvarez
www.thesocialhat.com

 

[belfastboy]

View attachment 823778
Well, gentlemen, as promised, here’s an update on my vintage hatmaking adventure!
Some of you may remember my earlier post about acquiring approximately 150 vintage rabbit fur felt hat bodies, along with more than 900 vintage hat blocks and flanges, tools, and equipment from the historic Batsakes Hat Shop in Cincinnati, established in 1907.
At the time, I mentioned my plans to bring these beautiful old felts back to life.
Well, ten days later, the first SIX hats from my CARIBOU COLLECTION are finished!
All six were handcrafted from vintage TONAK rabbit fur felt bodies that had been preserved for decades. Each was individually blocked, shaped, and finished by my own two hands here in North Carolina.
And what an incredible learning experience these past ten days have been!
Before sharing the photographs, I’d like to say something about my journey in this wonderful industry.
I do not consider myself a Master Hatmaker, nor a Master Hat Agent. I consider myself a lifelong student of an extraordinary craft and industry.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from people I deeply respect, including Grant Sergott of Optimo Hatworks in Bisbee, Arizona, and Mr. Gus Miller of Batsakes Hat Shop.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to visit and work with some remarkable hat factories throughout Europe and the United States.
I’ve watched exceptional craftspeople at work, studied their techniques, learned about materials and production methods, and gained an enormous appreciation for the knowledge, patience, and skill that traditional hatmaking requires.
But there’s a big difference between watching experienced hands perform their magic and putting your own hands to work!
And these six hats certainly reminded me of that!
The steam, the blocking, the ironing, the flanging, the ribbon work, the finishing, and those little adjustments that can make all the difference between a good hat and a beautiful one.
Now comes the part I’m especially looking forward to: YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!
One of the reasons I’ve always appreciated the Fedora Lounge is the extraordinary knowledge found among its members.
This isn’t simply a place where people admire hats. It’s a community of dedicated hat aficionados who understand the history, proportions, materials, construction, and finer details of quality headwear.
That’s precisely why I’m sharing these six finished hats here.
I welcome every observation, suggestion, and constructive criticism you care to offer.
Whether it’s the crown proportions, brim treatment, ribbon selection, bow construction, overall balance, or finishing details, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
Please don’t worry about hurting my feelings. You won’t!
I’m not posting these hats because I believe I’ve mastered the craft. Quite the opposite. I’m sharing them because I believe that even after more than 25 years in the hat industry, there’s always something new to learn.
And who better to learn from than fellow hat enthusiasts who truly understand and appreciate the craft?
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in these ten days, but I’m even more excited about what I can improve on the next 5.
And speaking of what’s next…
THE MIDNIGHT BLUES COLLECTION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY!
Another beautiful group of vintage fur felt bodies, another chapter in this adventure, and another opportunity to give decades-old materials a new life.
For me, this is about preserving a craft, respecting its history, and continuing to learn from those who share the same passion.
One vintage felt. One hatmaker. One hat at a time.
Handcrafted in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Looking forward to your comments, gentlemen. The good, the bad, and everything in between!

Hat people always shine!


Pablo Alvarez
www.thesocialhat.com View attachment 823779 View attachment 823782 View attachment 823783 View attachment 823783 View attachment 823784 View attachment 823785 View attachment 823786 View attachment 823787

Looks good. Question: have you sanded off the sharp edges of the brim after the cut? In the pictures the brim edge looks like sharp 90 degree edges. It is standard practice to sand them a bit to round off/soften those edges.