Wind string source(s)?

[tonyb]

Anyone know where to buy wind strings (or wind trolleys or whatever you prefer to call 'em)? I don't actually use the things for their intended purpose, but I sure do like the way they dress up a hat.
And while we're at it ... how 'bout a source for those thin, transparent, hat-shaped plastic liners? You know, something to put between the hat and the cardboard the hat box is made of? We've seen evidence of the acid (or whatever it is) in some cardboard boxes doing serious damage to the hat. It seems that those liners would go a long ways toward avoiding that. And perhaps they'd even help prevent bug damage?

 

[EricH]

Hey tonyb,

Here's a couple of past threads

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=13122&highlight=trolley

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4844&highlight=trolley

I seem to recall someone had also described how one could be reproduced from elastic cords and button supplies available at any good sewing supply store.

Eric

 

[tonyb]

Thanks for that, Eric. But nowhere in those threads do I see where our intrepid hatters and sellers procure their wind strings. I'm guessing that the buttons are designed to be covered with a small (quite small) piece of grosgrain ribbon (same ribbon as the band, so they match, duh) and then reassembled. I'm further speculating that the cords come in a wide enough array of colors so that a "close enough" match to the ribbon color can usually be had. I mean, how many colors would it take to work with the vast majority of hats? Black and a few shades of gray and brown would cover 80-plus percent, wouldn't you think?
And what about those plastic prophylactic devices?