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carouselvic · Oct 6, 2015

alanfgag said:
Don't do it again. You can't repair this type of wear on rayon grosgrain.

Sage advice for sure

CONELRAD · Oct 7, 2015

alanfgag said:
Don't do it again. You can't repair this type of wear on rayon grosgrain.

Oh, believe me, I certainly don't want to. I'm not even entirely sure how it happened, other spots of the same ribbon have stood up to much harsher treatment, but that one little spot just inexplicably gave out.

billbay · Oct 7, 2015

I have a question. Signed up specifically to use the 'search' function and after checking as thoroughly as I know how, I have seen it neither asked nor answered on this site.

I am looking at some older Stetson westerns and am seeing a designation called "Wisp." Can some hat-expert clue a fellow in as to what this means? It does not seem to be a model name, but I cannot be certain. Specifically I have been looking for an older Stetson "Rancher" model, crown around 5", brim around 3". I've found several, but occasionally I see one with the Wisp name attached, and they don't seem any different from the others which don't say Wisp.

Therefore, for the (apparently) first time on this hatting forum, what does Stetson's "Wisp" mean? Thanks a hundred.

buler · Oct 7, 2015

After a quick google search, it appears that "Wisp" is a style/model name.

B

ingineer · Oct 7, 2015

The "Wisp" might be more of a dress weight rather than western weight cattleman /rancher.
Wild guess, looks like Stetson gave up the Trademark after the 60's

alanfgag · Oct 7, 2015

It appears to be a post-Stetson/ Hatco era style abbreviation.

billbay · Oct 7, 2015

Thanks to the Wisp-helpers so far. From looking at past ebay auctions which include (and have photos of) the original boxes, I'm believing now that the "Wisp" is indeed the model name of the hat. From what I have seen so far it seems the Wisp is unique to a 3-inch brim, while the "Rancher" (the old ones) had a 3.5 inch brim. This is the only consistent difference I have noticed from the labelling on the boxes. The word "Wisp" is in the same place on the label as the word "Rancher." Near as I can tell the box-label decodes, top to bottom: Model Name, Model Number, "X" quality (example "5X"), Brim Width, Colour, and Size. I am certain all of the examples I am looking at are no older than the middle 70's. Certainly post-Stetson name licensing.

That said, any further insight into the "Wisp" designation, in case I've got it all wrong, is welcome. Thanks all.

ChicagoWayVito · Oct 8, 2015

Bound edges, what sewing machine and foot/attachments are needed?

Hi,

Hoping someone can answer the question about what kind of sewing machine and foot/attachments are needed for sewing bound edges? I have read how to do them by hand but I would like to know if there is a specific sewing machine for this task or if is more about having the appropriate foot/attachment than it is a specific machine.

Cheers!

CONELRAD · Oct 10, 2015

I used a hat sponge to clean up a black spot on a Lee Adventure, and it got rid of the spot, but now the felt around that area is all "mussed" and fuzzy, is there any way to fix that? Brushing it down just makes that area look like longer-haired felt than the rest.

RJR · Oct 11, 2015

Hard to tell from the pic but I'd recommend that you continue to give it good brushings,I suspect it will even out in time.

John Galt · Oct 11, 2015

CONELRAD said:
Oh, believe me, I certainly don't want to. I'm not even entirely sure how it happened, other spots of the same ribbon have stood up to much harsher treatment, but that one little spot just inexplicably gave out.

Charlie,

I haven't tried it with this sort of damage, but ice cold water closes up pin holes in ribbon, and might possibly bring it back.

I have had ribbon lines disfigure when ironing a bow (where one lays over another) and have steamed out the disfigurement. I would try both.

John

John Galt · Oct 11, 2015

CONELRAD said:
I used a hat sponge to clean up a black spot on a Lee Adventure, and it got rid of the spot, but now the felt around that area is all "mussed" and fuzzy, is there any way to fix that? Brushing it down just makes that area look like longer-haired felt than the rest.

You might try either pouncing lightly with a very (very) fine sandpaper, or an orange hat sponge. The sponge is safer and will cut the small hairs that stick up. You will probably have to do the whole hat to get it uniform, no matter which of these approaches you take.

CONELRAD · Oct 11, 2015

John Galt said:
I haven't tried it with this sort of damage, but ice cold water closes up pin holes in ribbon, and might possibly bring it back.

I have had ribbon lines disfigure when ironing a bow (where one lays over another) and have steamed out the disfigurement. I would try both.

The damage was caused by my drying a wet spot, as this ribbon tends to discolor when it gets wet, so I'd hesitate to try that. I'll give steam a shot, though.

Honestly, I've never encountered another ribbon this finicky, even the one around the crown of the same hat!

John Galt · Oct 11, 2015

Ribbon, like felt, can discolor if it is not uniformly wetted. To avoid this, when you wet it, wet the whole thing rather than one part. I suggest a spray bottle - works well for me.

gtdean48 · Oct 12, 2015

buler said:
After a quick google search, it appears that "Wisp" is a style/model name.

B

+1, Had a Wisp a long time back, very much like the Rancher model. Thinner brim width is about only difference.

Bob Roberts · Oct 12, 2015

John Galt said:
Ribbon, like felt, can discolor if it is not uniformly wetted. To avoid this, when you wet it, wet the whole thing rather than one part. I suggest a spray bottle - works well for me.

+1. When shrinking a sweatband by saturating w H2o, the ribbon got wet and that was the ONLY thing that worked to even off the stain.

CONELRAD · Oct 12, 2015

John Galt said:
Ribbon, like felt, can discolor if it is not uniformly wetted. To avoid this, when you wet it, wet the whole thing rather than one part. I suggest a spray bottle - works well for me.

I might try that. I wish I'd known that before I scuffed the ribbon in the first place.

John Galt · Oct 12, 2015

Yeah, it's a learning process. I've shared a couple of antique hat horror stories here as well. At least ribbon can be replaced, and there is still vintage ribbon available.

CONELRAD · Oct 12, 2015

John Galt said:
At least ribbon can be replaced, and there is still vintage ribbon available.

Yes, I suppose if it had to happen at all, it's best that it happened to one of the least remarkable and most replaceable parts of the hat.

CONELRAD · Oct 12, 2015

I steamed it and that didn't seem to have any real effect on the damage. Honestly, as much as I love the hat, it seems to be very low end for its day, and I would imagine a combination of age and not being of very high quality in the first place have taken their toll on the durability of the ribbon.

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