Shaping the brim of a hat??

[collofthewild]

I've got a couple of wool felt hats that i've always loved, (one of them was my fathers). It's just that the brims of the hats are just a hair to wide, for string clearance. I've seen pictures of Fred Asbell and Charlie Lamb, and really like the way they have folded the brims on their hat, functional and pretty darn STYLISH.

My question is, how do you fold the brim of your hat that way, and have it stay?

[PeteA]

I have a Filson Packer. I actually fold the brim up and tack sew it wear the brim meets the bottom of the hat body itself. It holds the right side of the brim up and out of the way. Brim is too stiff to fold downward.

[collofthewild]

Thanks Pete, thats what i was planning on doing.

[Orion]

Or sew a small piece of velcro on the crown and the brim.  That way, you can let the brim down when you want.

[Scott357]

You can shape them with steam from a tea pot. There are some videos on Youtube that show how. If you dont like the results you can just resteam and reshape.

what about a hat pin, would that work?
http://www.pintreasures.com/animals-lapel-pins-hat-pins-free-shipping-no-min-order/deer-head-buck-with-antlers-pin-lapel-pins-hat-pins-free-shipping-no-min-order

[sledge]

as said above, steam is the ticket.

it's fun, too!

indiana jones...er....joe

[sledge]

realize that the filson hat mentioned above is canvas, not felt.  can't reshape canvas with steam.

i've been reshaping felt cowboy hats over a teakettle all my life.

just recently i made a nice 15x gus mcrae style into a gfred in about a half hour.

i have fur felt hats, though.  not sure if wool felt will hold shape as well.

joe

[lpcjon2]

Steam and a big rubber band. Put the rubber band over the hat from front to back with the crease the way you want and then steam it and let it sit to dry. Its called training a hat you may have to steam it a few times,and leave the rubber band on it for a day or two.

[OkieJ]

Or you can take it to a western wear store and they can trim the brim down for you. and them have them shape it or you.

[Roadkill]

If it has any kind os seam, you might sharpen a wire and thread it thru a portion of the brim to bend it to shape

[Traxx]

If it has any kind os seam, you might sharpen a wire and thread it thru a portion of the brim to bend it to shape

This is commin from a guy,who stands damn near naked,wearin muck boots out in his front yard,eatin sardines from a can.

[collofthewild]

Thanks everyone for the tips!  I'm going to try the steaming method before i start punching any holes in the hat.

[Charlie Lamb]

Ross... I see you got your answer. Steam is the way to go. It's what a hat shop would do.
 

[Jake Fr]

If it wont stay use steam an spray starch will help hold wool Hats

[sledge]

1 last thing:  all felt hats are made with a round crown.

shaping comes later in the process.

you can shape and reshape a felt hat to your heart's content.

have fun!

joe

[Jake Fr]

If it wont stay use steam an spray starch will help hold wool Hats

[collofthewild]

Thanks everyone for the responds and wisdom. I am going to start a kettle of water in the morning. Knowing how much of us are picture hounds i will post pics of my before and after



Keep the trad fire burning