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I sent five hats to Art. They were trashed...three felts and two Panama. The felt hats included two vintage, that were at one time my very favorite "go to" wear. Of course, everyday wear of a "Dove" gray hat, including wearing at the Skeet field..they became filthy. The black ribbon on one was totally split in the front, and the felt had actually changed color many shades darker from the dirt and grime.
I also sent one of my first "Optimo" felts which I had gotten from Chicago...going on 10 years ago. This hat was a disaster as well.
The Panama's were also horribly "FILTHY". One had a split/tear in the straw, the other (a very nice long ago Panama Bob hat) had an unwoven edge. Both these hats were candidates for the Halloween scarecrow.
But, since at least one of the Panama's was a very nice weave, I sent it to Art hoping for a miracle.
So far, three have come back from "overhaul" by Art. WOWOOOOOWW!
The straw with the broken edge..Art bound the brim. It's a beautiful job. It actually IMPROVED the hat and the "snap" of the brim. He worked magic to get out YEARS of grime. I have almost a NEW hat. I think he replaced the sweatband as well..it looks new and this fits better now than before. Ribbon was changed as well. Yes..it is now almost a new hat.
This proved that you can really "save" a hat, either straw or felt...when you send it to someone who KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
The felt is clean and actually matches the color "hidden" under the ribbon. You know...those light color hats that get dirty, slowly over time. You "peek" behind the ribbon to see that, "Oh my"! ..it's quite a bit lighter under that ribbon.
The felt has the original sweatband and liner..since being a vintage hat, Art kept is true to that as best as possible.
Again..my HAT is off to Art!
I also sent one of my first "Optimo" felts which I had gotten from Chicago...going on 10 years ago. This hat was a disaster as well.
The Panama's were also horribly "FILTHY". One had a split/tear in the straw, the other (a very nice long ago Panama Bob hat) had an unwoven edge. Both these hats were candidates for the Halloween scarecrow.
But, since at least one of the Panama's was a very nice weave, I sent it to Art hoping for a miracle.
So far, three have come back from "overhaul" by Art. WOWOOOOOWW!
The straw with the broken edge..Art bound the brim. It's a beautiful job. It actually IMPROVED the hat and the "snap" of the brim. He worked magic to get out YEARS of grime. I have almost a NEW hat. I think he replaced the sweatband as well..it looks new and this fits better now than before. Ribbon was changed as well. Yes..it is now almost a new hat.
This proved that you can really "save" a hat, either straw or felt...when you send it to someone who KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
The felt is clean and actually matches the color "hidden" under the ribbon. You know...those light color hats that get dirty, slowly over time. You "peek" behind the ribbon to see that, "Oh my"! ..it's quite a bit lighter under that ribbon.
The felt has the original sweatband and liner..since being a vintage hat, Art kept is true to that as best as possible.
Again..my HAT is off to Art!
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