Making my own hats

[Fortino37]

As I said in previous threads, I start using hats 21 years a go, when I was 19, and like to do my own reparis; ribbon, bow, sweatband and liner replacement, felt cleaning, hat blocking, etc. I learn a lot of millinery secrets from my hatter, a 82 years old man who died last January, he begun in hat business in the early 40's so he knew a lot about the hat history.
I feel a real passion about the hat use, hat history and hat making, and start restoring old bowlers obtaining great ressults, my last chalenge was to make my own hats, I decide to test myself and bough several fur felt bodies to make one in beige and other in deep blue. In my plans are to start my own business, repairing and making hats.

Please leave your opinion.

 

[Tomasso]

Congratulations and good luck on your new venture. There's always room for another hatter.

 

[MikePotts]

I think they look great Fortino37, I especially like the blue one.

 

[job]

Oh boy. Am I going to have to have you make me a hat too. Keep that pics coming. Love your hats.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Looks like you have learned a lot from your old master. Great work.

 

[PabloElFlamenco]

Fortino37, I can only guess how it feels to have made your own hat. And, judging from the pictures, they look good. From the photo of the inside (with liner and sweatband of the blue hat), it looks very carefully and well made.

There are few hatmakers left in the smartphone world...go get it!

Pablo

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Those are very nice. One positive thing about what you can do, you can fill your own closet full of hats that you have made for yourself, while the majority of us have to hunt for what we want! I wish you all the best in any business ventures you go into with making these hats!

 

[09alloy]

Very nice...good luck!

 

[HatsEnough]

Beautiful. Hope you have many long years of making hats ahead.

 

[monbla256]

Nic, Nice work! Could you give some particulars for each hat ?

 

[Fortino37]

Nic, Nice work! Could you give some particulars for each hat ?

Some details about the hats

Deep blue fedora

- Fur felt body made in Czech republic 1/8in tick
- Tear drop crown style
- Crown, 4 1/5in front and 3 5/8in rear
- Black ribbon 1 1/5in wide (50%cotton/50%rayon)
- Brim 2 7/8in wide
- 1 5/8 wide leather sweatban
- Beige acetate liner

Clear beige fedora

- Fur felt body made in Czech republic 1/8in tick
- Center crease crown style
- Crown, 4 1/5in fron, 4 1/8 rear and 5in in the highest point
- Brown ribbon 11/5in wide
- 2in wide leather sweatband
- White acetae liner

Thank you for all your comments


Fortino B.

 

[Iyor]

Where are you getting czech bodies, Tonak?

 

[Fortino37]

Where are you getting czech bodies, Tonak?

I found some in Ebay.

Fortino

 

[Khuebner250]

That's pretty impressive

 

[Phineas Lamour]

Very nice!