Steaming question

[thornev]

Hi All. I've got a Dobbs 50's fedora with a snap brim 2" and I've been steaming it to get the bash I want. One thing with which I've been unsuccessful is how to get the brim straight. It's got bumps and lumps. What do people use to keep the brim straight while they steam? Thanks. thorne

 

[gtdean48]

I've actually used a steam iron on the brim, with a white hankerchief or thin dish towel between it & the iron. Be careful that the iron point doesn't get near the ribbon on the crown....

 

[zetwal]

I don't doubt that ironing works well but I haven't myself tried it. I'm not entirely sure what your bumps and lumps look like. For what it's worth, I will add that I have a beaver fedora that once had what I would call a wavy and wonky brim. Anyway, I turned the brim up all the way around, misted the circumference with a spray bottle, and smoothed it out while in the up-curled position. Once it was dry I snapped the front down and it was good as new.

PS - Welcome to the Lounge, Thorne.

 

[Dinerman]

Flip the brim down all the way around. Steam from the top of the brim, using your fingers to pop out any of the lumps and bumps you find when it is snapped down. Let it cool (shouldn't take very long), then snap the brim back up all the way around. This should eliminate just about any waves.

Snap the front the way you want it, and depending on the way the felt acts, you might need one last hit of steam to set the snap such that it snaps at the point you want it to.

 

[zetwal]

Dinerman I myself will try your technique out next time I have a need. Thanks for sharing another beauty secret from the Dinerman Files.

 

[thornev]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I wanted to upload a picture of my hat, but couldn't figure out how other than to add a link to a picture on the internet. (Oh I see - I am not permitted to post attachments) thorne

 

[thornev]

Well I'm not sure if I have a snap brim. The brim is stiff like the rest of the hat. thorne