RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Well it is all one hat now and not separate pieces. Got the sweat sewn in WITHOUT pricking my fingers once!. Still have some shaping and brim work to do, BUT ITS A HAT
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What Hat Are You Working On Today?
- Thread starter Hat and Rehat
- Start date
I have a question about dying a brown hat to maroon. It's a fur-felt hat, cotton sweat rather than leather so in theory I should not have to worry too much about shrinkage. I have removed the liner as well as It was really bad in the summer and stuck to my head all the time.
Can anyone tell me: 1) which dyes I should try, and tips on methods? 2) how easy it will be? 3) is it worth it? should I bother, or should I just buy a maroon hat at some point in the future?
Can anyone tell me: 1) which dyes I should try, and tips on methods? 2) how easy it will be? 3) is it worth it? should I bother, or should I just buy a maroon hat at some point in the future?
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StoryPNW
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,246
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
Been trying my hand at some light restoration work. I got this Stetson Playboy for really cheap. Here are the seller pictures.
I cleaned it up a little. In the process I pulled the ribbon off and cleaned it and put it back on in reverse, it is actually grey. I might try to fix the holes in the felt or just see if someone wants a distressed vintage hat.
I cleaned it up a little. In the process I pulled the ribbon off and cleaned it and put it back on in reverse, it is actually grey. I might try to fix the holes in the felt or just see if someone wants a distressed vintage hat.
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Merry Christmas morning to all!
Did a little ribbon experimenting on the newly scratch built hat this morning. ( no company for Christmas this year, so I had some free time) Figured it just didnt look right with a commercial off-the-shelf hatband. Ive always liked the 1890-ish campaign hat ribbon and bow so I thought Id try one here.
First one here was using 1" Grosgrain. Love the look but it might be just a bit large? Ill whip one up with some 5/8" ribbon Ive got and do a side by side comparison before I sew it on.. The smaller ribbon should be a bit less "in-your-face" lol I love the mild contrast with the Khaki color, but Taupe or Dark Brown might work well too ( Khaki, Taupe and brown ribbons side by side for comparison... let me know if you really like one color better than the others. Is contrasty better or should I go more subtle? )
Did a little ribbon experimenting on the newly scratch built hat this morning. ( no company for Christmas this year, so I had some free time) Figured it just didnt look right with a commercial off-the-shelf hatband. Ive always liked the 1890-ish campaign hat ribbon and bow so I thought Id try one here.
First one here was using 1" Grosgrain. Love the look but it might be just a bit large? Ill whip one up with some 5/8" ribbon Ive got and do a side by side comparison before I sew it on.. The smaller ribbon should be a bit less "in-your-face" lol I love the mild contrast with the Khaki color, but Taupe or Dark Brown might work well too ( Khaki, Taupe and brown ribbons side by side for comparison... let me know if you really like one color better than the others. Is contrasty better or should I go more subtle? )
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Alrighty then..... Made up a 5/8" hatband ribbon/ bow in Kahki and dark brown. I think the smaller ribbon looks a bit more refined than the 1" version. Just need to figured out whether I like light and contrasty, or a dark one that blends in
The 1" version
the 5/8" in Kahki
and the 5/8" dark brown version
Decisions, decisions......
The 1" version
the 5/8" in Kahki
and the 5/8" dark brown version
Decisions, decisions......
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Got to thinking that while I had the ribbon out today, I should update my poor little Akubra Stockman.. it had such a plain skinny ribbon
rogueclimber
Practically Family
- Messages
- 781
- Location
- Marina del Rey
That upgrade really works! (All those ribbons are outstanding)
TheOldFashioned
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,246
- Location
- The Great Lakes
An extremely rare Rothschild Bros Hat Co western that is a work in progress:
Not much is known about this company, and only a few references exist here on the forum. Based on the crest and comparing to old advertisements this probably came from the 1910s/20s timeframe. The hat obviously is showing it's age, but the felt is still sturdy aside from one weak spot in the crown front.
It arrived to me with one of those gaudy 70s feathered hatbands which I instantly removed. Unfortunately, the original ribbon and bow were missing. Based on sun fading it looks like the original was 1-1/2" wide. The binding has faded as well and shows signs of duress, but hasn't popped in any location.
I've slowly and gently attempted to reshape the brim as the hat was stored in a box too small which caused it to be distorted. Still more work ahead, but with the delicate nature of the binding I don't want to stress it too much. I may have to settle with it being perfectly imperfect.
| Crown | 7-1/4" (open crown) |
| Brim | 4" to curl with asymmetric binding |
| Ribbon | Absent, though based on fading was 1-1/2" |
| Weight | 192g |
Not much is known about this company, and only a few references exist here on the forum. Based on the crest and comparing to old advertisements this probably came from the 1910s/20s timeframe. The hat obviously is showing it's age, but the felt is still sturdy aside from one weak spot in the crown front.
It arrived to me with one of those gaudy 70s feathered hatbands which I instantly removed. Unfortunately, the original ribbon and bow were missing. Based on sun fading it looks like the original was 1-1/2" wide. The binding has faded as well and shows signs of duress, but hasn't popped in any location.
I've slowly and gently attempted to reshape the brim as the hat was stored in a box too small which caused it to be distorted. Still more work ahead, but with the delicate nature of the binding I don't want to stress it too much. I may have to settle with it being perfectly imperfect.
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RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Did a little maintenance on a Sovereign Stetson Firenze today. Beautifully soft dark grey felt. ( sort of has a greenish tint in the right light.) Almost too soft... brim just wouldnt hold its shape. 15 minutes of wearing and the brim was all wonky. ( had kinda a hobo-esque vibe to it). Steamed it, ironed and flattened the brim, and then added some stiffener to the brim and did some resting on a brim board to dry. Hit with some steam and then popped it on the head for final shaping. Now it looks the same on both sides lol. Worked the center dent into a semi diamond crease up top. Just letting it sit for a while before I do some final brushing. Looks like its back in the rotation!
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Does anyone need some feathers? I bought a pack of hat feathers on etsy a while back. A couple I used but lots of them are colors that I have no real need for. If you can use them drop me a message and I can get them in the mail.
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Little bit of ribbon experimenting today .
Have been wanting to re-equip one of the cowboy conversions with a slightly smaller ribbon and a campaign bow instead of a std dress hat bow. All thumbs today lol. Accidently got one of the legs on top of the bow instead of underneath.. Oh well... its an experiment. But I got a test piece done and on the hat so I have an idea what it will look like... I do think I like the thinner ribbon, and will like the campaign bow once I fashion one thats not quite so wonky.
Old ribbon was 1" and the new one is 3/4". Took a few tries to get the size of the bow just right for the smaller ribbon. Ill see if this size grows on me or if ill make one with a hair longer bow loop. Some OTHER day after I make up a flat bow with no bloodstains Ill get it sewed on ( If I kept on trying today Id just end up with MORE pricked fingers and bloodstains on the ribbon and quite possibly the hat lol) One of THOSE days
Have been wanting to re-equip one of the cowboy conversions with a slightly smaller ribbon and a campaign bow instead of a std dress hat bow. All thumbs today lol. Accidently got one of the legs on top of the bow instead of underneath.. Oh well... its an experiment. But I got a test piece done and on the hat so I have an idea what it will look like... I do think I like the thinner ribbon, and will like the campaign bow once I fashion one thats not quite so wonky.
Old ribbon was 1" and the new one is 3/4". Took a few tries to get the size of the bow just right for the smaller ribbon. Ill see if this size grows on me or if ill make one with a hair longer bow loop. Some OTHER day after I make up a flat bow with no bloodstains Ill get it sewed on ( If I kept on trying today Id just end up with MORE pricked fingers and bloodstains on the ribbon and quite possibly the hat lol) One of THOSE days
Door mouse
New in Town
- Messages
- 3
RickP
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,294
Back in the day lots of hat stores had a machine that punched your initials in the sweatbands. Nice find... Hairy hats are popular around here these days!
