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- vancouver, canada
Here is the final look for the Duplex. With the crown extension I was able to get a full 5" height at the pinch. Pencil curl widened at the sides.
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Wolfbrae Custom Hatters
- Thread starter deadlyhandsome
- Start date
Here is the final look for the Duplex. With the crown extension I was able to get a full 5" height at the pinch. Pencil curl widened at the sides.
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
I thought it would be fun to post the 4 basic steps in making the Duplex. The difference in the felt colour is due to the application of the Kakishibu dye after the brim was trimmed and set. Rather than a dye immersion I painted it on.
EL-Jimenez74
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 200
- Location
- Fort Mill, SC
Very cool!! I like the difference in the stark white straw, the dyed felt, and then how the leather marries the two. Nice job.
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- 11,451
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- vancouver, canada
Here is the 2nd of the FEPSA 95gr, 100% beaver felts that I dyed a vibrant blue. Similar classic fedora proportions. This is has a modified box bow with 4 gills. Ribbon is vintage grosgrain in a navy blue. Customer wants it shipped open crown so he can have the fun of creasing it.
jeffgarf
One Too Many
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- Jerusalem, Israel
Waited for this post so I can identify as "customer." Thanks @belfastboy
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- 11,451
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- vancouver, canada
Here is part 2 of my experiment in making child sized hats without child sized equipment. Part 1 was the panama straw for my grand niece. So I thought to complete the work I needed to test it in the making of a felt hat. Here is the result. Winchester, 100% mid weight beaver, in a Fawn colour, size 51cm. 1" leather strap bordered by round braided leather thong for the crown. A Longhorn steer skull concho to top off the western vibe . I am declaring the experiment a success.
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Judgmentalist
One Too Many
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Cool! How tall is the crown? How did you step it down? What did she think of it?
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
She loved it. I blocked the straw first on my smallest block a 53cm and then stepped it down using construction foam band blocks. Same method for this except it was a bit easier as not quite as small as the straw. Crown is 4" at the pinch, 3" brim width before the curl.
Judgmentalist
One Too Many
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May need you to make one for my brand-new niece in a few years <3 - sadly, my daughter is 18 soon and can wear an adult-sized hat these days
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
I think a size 48cm is the smallest I can go. My grand niece is 4 1/2 years old.
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
Here is probably the most unusual commission I have ever received. Client wanted a Cavalier or Three Musketeer's hat. Here is my version. Winchester western weight rabbit felt in a Steel gray, almost got a 5" brim on a 62.5cm sized hat. Telescope crown.
Leather band on the crown. Not visible, but I placed thin leather straps in the band to hold the feather in place. But the feathers are removable as the client wants to change the colour. Hat (and client) will be taking this hat to a Renaissance Faire this autumn
Leather band on the crown. Not visible, but I placed thin leather straps in the band to hold the feather in place. But the feathers are removable as the client wants to change the colour. Hat (and client) will be taking this hat to a Renaissance Faire this autumn
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
A snappy fedora off to S Carolina. 160gr, Husst dress weight rabbit felt. Vintage charcoal grey grosgrain ribbon on the crown and brim. Added a splash of burgundy to the keeper.
Liner is vintage Japanese silk with an embroidered liner top..
Liner is vintage Japanese silk with an embroidered liner top..
EL-Jimenez74
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 200
- Location
- Fort Mill, SC
Can’t wait to get this. It was great working with you Robert. I’m really looking forward to wearing it this fall!
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
A lady just dropped off these two hats to be restored. They belonged to her recently deceased father. A rancher who always had a hat on his head. She wants them resized and restored so her sons can wear them. This is by far the toughest restoration I have ever taken on. I think I can even repair the hole at the pinch.
Judgmentalist
One Too Many
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That is a work hat. Makes me feel like I'm cos-playing a hat guy over here lol - can't wait to see the result.
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- 11,451
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- vancouver, canada
I would say there is a good 50 years of built up sweat and dirt on these hats. On both hats there is no nap left to the felt it appears and feels more like leather.
You got your work cut out for ya, fo sho!
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
Follow up: I was inspecting the hats this afternoon, looking to remove the leather crown band when a few little critters crawled out from behind the band. Freaked me out......I don't want cooties in my shop. So decided to throw both hats in the Orvus Paste bath, mostly to drown the little ******s. The good news is the thick layer of grime that I thought was sun bleached felt is just grime and it is coming out quite easily. I think Imma going to be alright.
Judgmentalist
One Too Many
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lol at cooties - also would I be correct in assuming this Orvus Padte is a gentle detergent solution you try on hats without deconstructing them?
- Messages
- 11,451
- Location
- vancouver, canada
Yes, I steal it from my wife who works with wool. It is great for cleaning the raw wool that is rich in lanolin. It cuts grease but is low pH and gentle. If the hat is really bad I will go to a second level and do the full naptha bath. But if I get a good result with the Orvus it is better all round.
But I still do tear the hat dowh to the bare felt even with the Orvus, clean it and build it back up. Most often the leather sweat is toast, the liner filthy and the crown ribbon dirty or rotted. This way it is easier to do the reblock as a bare felt and not have to work around the sweat band.
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