Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Replacing a ribbon on a hat

RBH

Bartender
On an unrelated note. Has anyone heard from kingrat? He used to sell hats on eBay under, "Dazerdog" but I haven't seen that he's been selling anything in quite a while. I tried calling him several times but I think his number is no longer in service. I know he had health issues and I was wondering if he's still alive.

Terry, after a check it seems he was last on the Lounge December 11, 2015.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
So... A few months ago, I picked up (yet another) Akubra. A used one, this time, for buttons, on eBay. I'm not sure which model this one is (I'll get some photos at a later stage), but it obviously started as one of the 'Outback' models, with a leather band. I decided to remove that in order to fit a more traditional ribbon. Ordered a ribbon band from Amazon, and now I'm a bit clueless...

The ribbon has a pre-made bow at one end, and then a long enough length of ribbon to fit pretty much any hat size. (Sold as a 'one size fits all' affair.) I'm a bit stumped as to how to attach it (I've only ever wound a pugaree before, but I wanted something a bit less rustic on this hat). Do I just cut to reasonable size, wind it round the hat and then glue it to itself? Should I tack-stitch it anywhere?

If anyone could point me in the direction of how to sort this, I'd e much appreciative. I'm sure that has been covered on here before, but my Google-Fi has let me down.
 
Messages
10,342
Location
vancouver, canada
Thanks, much appreciated!
A tip: when you tack the ribbon/bow to the hat place your stitch from the inside of the hat outwards then you return the stitch place the needle just one rib over on the ribbon before pearcing the hat back to the inside. This way if you use a thread colour close the ribbon it will not show.
 
Messages
19,096
Location
Funkytown, USA
A tip: when you tack the ribbon/bow to the hat place your stitch from the inside of the hat outwards then you return the stitch place the needle just one rib over on the ribbon before pearcing the hat back to the inside. This way if you use a thread colour close the ribbon it will not show.

I actually try to get the stitch in between the ribs. When I'm successful, you can't see it.
 

Deeeluxe Definitely

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
I made the mistake of trying to work with modern store-bought polyester grosgrain. I could only get it to curl a slight amount. So I could never quite get the ribbon tight enough at the top to hug the crown.

On the plus side, the failed project was my reason to learn rudimentary hand sewing, so at least I have that new skill.

I lucked out in transplanting a 1950s cotton/rayon blend ribbon off an old hat onto my new hat. (I found the 1950s hat in the prop section of the theater where I used to work, so I swapped it out with a modern wool fedora I had, as they just used the hats to throw around once every couple years in an improv game.) I wish it had another 1/4" of slack, but it looks great.

It fits perfectly snugly, and the texture of the ribbon grips the fur felt really well for some reason, to the point where I didn't even tack it down. It is a struggle to try to get the ribbon on and off; that's how well it grips.

Maybe I'll get it tacked one day, but I don't see the need.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
A tip: when you tack the ribbon/bow to the hat place your stitch from the inside of the hat outwards then you return the stitch place the needle just one rib over on the ribbon before pearcing the hat back to the inside. This way if you use a thread colour close the ribbon it will not show.

Thanks, I'll give that a go. :)
 
Messages
19,096
Location
Funkytown, USA
Yes, that is what I intended to convey. Have the thread cross over just one rib into the next crevasse.....invisible stitching!

We may still be in violent agreement and just miscommunicating, but what I'm talking about doesn't cross a rib. It's in "valley" of two ribs and is vertical rather than horizontal. I got the idea from Terry (@T Jones).
 
Messages
10,342
Location
vancouver, canada
We may still be in violent agreement and just miscommunicating, but what I'm talking about doesn't cross a rib. It's in "valley" of two ribs and is vertical rather than horizontal. I got the idea from Terry (@T Jones).
I think we might be in agreement but not sure how to explain it and it is toooo damn small to take a picture of the process and the finished stitch is invisible anyway. My stitch sits in two vertical valleys separated by one rib.
 

T Jones

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,600
Location
Central Ohio
We may still be in violent agreement and just miscommunicating, but what I'm talking about doesn't cross a rib. It's in "valley" of two ribs and is vertical rather than horizontal. I got the idea from Terry (@T Jones).
Right you are, kemosabie! Vertical between the ribs with the slightest stitch. Use a thin thread of the same color and knot it just enough to keep the ribbon in place, not tight to where it makes an indentation. Keep the stitching low.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,030
Messages
3,026,722
Members
52,533
Latest member
RacerJ
Top