My first hat

[Mark G]

I just finished my first hat. I bought my dad a Stetson fedora about five years ago and he's worn it so much that the sweat band is toast. So I thought that for Christmas I'd make him a hat. I bought the hat parts from a supplier (much harder to find than I thought). They included a black rabbit fur body made in the Chech Republic, some millinary ribbon, lining, and a reeded leather sweat band. I'm a wood worker so I turned a hat block and sealed it with epoxy. I used hot water to size the blank and clamping a wooden caul over the top, let it dry for a day. I made a simple guide to cut the hat brim to size and used a razor to shave the long hairs. I didn't have the guts to flame them off, maybe next time.. I wanted to have a 2 1/2" brim but had to settle for 2 1/4" because I had to do it twice. Oh well. I ironed the brim and crown to set the shape and used a Scout hat stiffener on the inside and out to give it some body. A gold pen marked the hat on the band and liner with custom made for etc. I used a hat stretcher to size the sweat band and after sewing it together and applying the bow in the back, I put the band in. This to me was the toughest thing to get right. It took me a couple of tries to get a smooth even band without bunching. After that the rest was pretty easy. I put the ribbon on and made a bow, then put the liner in with glue. This didn't quite come out as nice as I wanted. It was puckered and hard to get even. I steamed the hat and put in a diamond crown and shaped the brim. All in all, I don't think Mr. Fawcett has anything to worry about, but I had fun and my dad will be getting something more unique than a striped tie.

I have two rabbits and have been saving the down fur for about a year; next time I might try making the felt as well. I have other pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[DOUGLAS]

Not bad at all. Congrats:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[moustache]

Indeed!

Very nice indeed!
Oh how i wish i could claim such skills as the others in the Lounge!!
Such talent!

JD

 

[deanglen]

INSPIRING! Who's your supplier, if you don't mind saying? That is a fine piece you have there. Well, well done!

dean

 

[Mark G]

Thanks. The company is Hats by Leko. www.hatsupply.com. It's the only place I could find to purchase a hat body. In fact it's very hard to find any information on hat making at all. This board has been the best scorce of information I have found yet. Cheers.

 

[John in Covina]

Ambition with purpose!

That really is a nice finished product! Be happy and we look forward to your next project!

 

[RBH]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Way to go !!!
Looking forward to hearing about more of your work.

 

[feltfan]

speechless

Really impressive.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Welcome to my World..

Congrats Mark...you're a brave & creative soul.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[undertaker]

Very Nice

I must say that you have much more intestial fortitude than I do .

Regards,
J.S.

 

[GoneSolo]

Great work Mark:eusa_clap Where did you find instructions on making the hat?

 

[Dinerman]

can we see your block?

 

[Mark G]

Thanks guys. I made the block from pine (most hatters, use poplar but pine is what I had) slightly larger than my hat size to allow for the sweat-band (my dad and I share the same size noggin) I made this one five inches tall but I think the next will be five and a half. I then screwed it to a piece of plywood so I could make a clean transition for the brim. I made another piece of plywood with a cut out for the crown, and after dipping the body in hot water stretched it over the block and worked the transition. I then put the cutout over it and clamped it down. After it was dry then I ironed it, sanded, and cut the brim.

I've been creasing my own hats for about twenty years (mostly western), so I've searched for anything on making hats. It's a hodge podge of sources, including this site.