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Sweatband Tear

Lancealot

Lancealot

Practically Family
Messages
623
Location
Greer, South Carolina, United States
Just had to vent. I was stretching out a 7 3/8 Stetson to 7 1/2 and the sweatband broke. Is there any hope would it still be wearable or I'm I going to have to send it off to be repaired? This is my project hat it's a 20-30 year old Stetson Cowboy I'm trying to turn into a fedora.
7-31-2007069.jpg

7-31-2007070.jpg

7-31-2007071.jpg
 
besdor

besdor

Vendor/Sponsor
Messages
1,727
Location
up north
It's not that expensive to change a leather sweatband in a hat. A local hatter should be able to do it for around 20 to 25 bucks, maybe less.
 
J.T.Marcus

J.T.Marcus

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,354
Location
Mineola, Texas
If you have a sweatband that is the right size, which you can pirate from another hat, you can do this: Remove the torn sweatband, by cutting the stitches. Pick out the loose threads. Remove the outer ribbon, too. Then steam or soak the hat body. (Soaking is how the hat was made in the first place.) While it is still damp, put it on your stretcher. The bad thing about stretchers is you have to guess how many turns it will take. Leave the hat on the stretcher for at least two full days. Then, when it's completely dry. Sew in the pirated band and put the ribbon back on. With a little patience, it's amazing what you can do. Have fun.
 
J.T.Marcus

J.T.Marcus

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,354
Location
Mineola, Texas
I have purchased from that site. Their quality is tops. You do, however have to place a minimum order of $35, at least that was their policy last year.
 
Mocheman

Mocheman

One of the Regulars
Messages
154
Location
Southwestern Florida, USA
Hey Lance, bummer about the leather. If you don't have the spare cash at the moment to get it repaired you might want to try crazy glue for wood and leather. It looks like you have a pretty clean rip so this may enable you to enjoy the hat until you can afford to get it fixed. Just remember to put something between the sweat and the hat so you don't get any glue on the felt. Also a little goes a long way.

I have not tried this myself so I can't tell you how affective it is, but it may be worth a shot. If somebody else has tried this chime in and let us know.

http://www.krazyglue.com/products/product_detail.asp?pc=KG821&g=13

I'd also like to add that next time you want to stretch a hat with a leather sweat add a little Lexol(leather conditioner). It will soften the leather so as to aviod rips.
 
A

Ande1963

Guest
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks just taping it is worth a shot. If you're done stretching, what have you got to lose? I have an Open Road with a badly cracked sweat, and I intend to do something about it... as soon as it stops being a great hat to wear.

By all means, pursue more aggresive alternatives if you're so inclined. But, if not, tape it on the back side and see if it's wearable. Not like you're gonna make things worse.

Anj
 
Mocheman

Mocheman

One of the Regulars
Messages
154
Location
Southwestern Florida, USA
A little leather conditioner is how I prep. I use a product called Lexol.
http://www.lexol.com/

You can buy it at any automotive supply place. I use it mainly for my car seats after I've cleaned them. You only need a little bit.

A couple things to keep in mind. Make sure the stretcher is seated on the rim of the sweat or the part that is sown into the felt. Thats the strongest part of the sweat and is the part you want to stretch.

Also use lots of steam all around the outer edge of the where the crown meets the brim. Basically along the outside ribbon line.

Only stretch in small increments and don't rush. Pay attention to brim as well. Too much stretching and you may end up with a mis-shapen brim.

Take your time and you'll do fine.
 
P

Paris7

New in Town
Messages
17
Location
Paris, France
There is a repair - depends on the "value" of the band

You can repair a split and/ or brittle sweat band, if it has interesting maker / haberdasher stamps, then it's a pity to lose them. Use a really good leather treatment first of course, it will will help.

However if it has split already treat the outside surface only for the moment, then using a slow set contact glue carefully stick a strip of (very expensive) thin glove leather (outside surface up and to bridge the gap to the inside of the sweat band).

Before the glue has "taken" put the hat back on the stretcher to pull the two leathers into place still leaving the gap open but now lined.

When the glue has set, slice and shape a sliver of the glove leather and carefully stick it into the gap (and onto the new backing leather). Tint to match and when finished repeat the leather treatment carefully on both sides of the repaired sweat band..

Beware of stray glue and tint at all times!
 
Lancealot

Lancealot

Practically Family
Messages
623
Location
Greer, South Carolina, United States
Alright I have a new sweatband on the way (thanks to a fellow lounger) and I'm going to try my hand at repairing it.

Here's my next question how does one go about trimming the brim down?

Oh, and how can I get the stiffness out of the brim and is there any way to put a snap into it?

Thanks for all the help.
 
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