My handmade Raiders hat

[Western New York Indy]

Hello, fellow Indy gear enthusiasts!

I wanted to make a post showing a hat I made myself. First, a bit of background. I've had a love for hats since I was very young. During my childhood, I underwent two highly complicated brain surgeries. After each one, it was important that I avoided sunburn on the incision across my head. As a result, I grew accustomed to wearing hats. Naturally, my love of hats merged with my love for Indiana Jones, and I set out to learn every detail I could about Indy's iconic hat. My research led me to learn about the hat making process and I decided I'd try it for myself. After making a "test" version in wool felt to ensure I had the basic process down, I made a hat in Rabbit felt. I brought it with me to Disney's Hollywood studios just a week after I finished it and got some pictures.

I was reluctant to share my results here as the hat I made is not "perfect." However, I realize that "perfect" is most likely impossible to achieve in one's first attempt at making a high quality fur felt hat. I have done my best to recreate a shape similar to the "Idol Grab" fedora, including the Raiders Turn. It isn't perfect, but I love this hat. So, without further ado, here are some pictures of my first attempt at a rabbit felt Indy hat!



A few different angles...





This is an obsession, dad!

Who's the real Indy???


A crossover pic!



Chewie really liked my satchel!


Hope you enjoy

-WNY Indy

[WConly]

Nice Job . W>

[Indiana Croft]

Ya, very impressive.
For your first attempt I’d say you done good.
And the picture of you and the Indiana Jones experience Indy.
I like your hat better, looks more lived in rather pressed on a machine.

Keep up the good work and can’t wait to see your next.

Croft

[Michaelson]

VERY nicely done!!! For a first attempt, you don’t have a whole lot of improvement to do! I’d wear it!

Regards! Michaelson

[Canyon]

Excellent job on your first fedora!

[Indiana Jeff]

"Most impressive." (to mix LFL properties)

From where did you get your hat block and flange?

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Western New York Indy]

Nice Job . W>

Thank you!!

-WNY Indy

[Western New York Indy]

Ya, very impressive.
For your first attempt I’d say you done good.
And the picture of you and the Indiana Jones experience Indy.
I like your hat better, looks more lived in rather pressed on a machine.

Keep up the good work and can’t wait to see your next.

Croft

Thank you!

There is something special about a hand shaped hat vs. one pressed on an assembly line. I really appreciated the work hatters do on each individual hat once I made one from scratch.

I'm hoping to make many more. I really fell in love with the process. I will be sure to put up pictures around here once I start on my next hat!

-WNY Indy

[Western New York Indy]

VERY nicely done!!! For a first attempt, you don’t have a whole lot of improvement to do! I’d wear it!

Regards! Michaelson

Thank you so much! Your words are very encouraging!

I was quite happy with this as my first result, even though there are certainly some nit-picky things that I will work on correcting with the next hat. Hopefully my work will continue to improve as I make more hats.

Nothing would make me happier than honing my craft and someday being able to supply hats to some of the amazing folks here on COW, although I know that mine would just be another option among the myriad of other incredibly talented hatters out there.

-WNY Indy

[Western New York Indy]

Excellent job on your first fedora!

Thank you!! I really appreciate it!

-WNY Indy

[Howard Weinstein]

Hey, Western NY Indy --

Super job on the hat! And how cool that you got to wear your gear to Disney and get some great photos.

As for your love of hats stemming from the practical need to protect your head after your serious surgeries, not only did you get through your childhood medical crisis, you also picked up a wonderful lifelong hobby.

Thanks for sharing your unique story with us!

[Western New York Indy]

"Most impressive." (to mix LFL properties)

From where did you get your hat block and flange?

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks so much! (Between my pictures and your quote we have quite the crossover going on here )

The block was from a seller on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/489555793/ ... ch_click=1 It is much more straight-sided in real life, although I would like the top to have been a bit flatter. I chose to use a foam block rather than wood to begin with, but I will probably need a wood block at some point. Although, 3D printed blocks have also really caught my eye...

I didn't use a flange I know it's not proper, but I just used steam and my own two hands to shape the brim. I will probably invest in a flange at some point since I hope to make a lot more hats.

-WNY Indy

[Western New York Indy]

Hey, Western NY Indy --

Super job on the hat! And how cool that you got to wear your gear to Disney and get some great photos.

As for your love of hats stemming from the practical need to protect your head after your serious surgeries, not only did you get through your childhood medical crisis, you also picked up a wonderful lifelong hobby.

Thanks for sharing your unique story with us!

Thank you! I was a bit afraid that they wouldn't let me in to Disney in gear, but the security guys were totally fine with it and commented on how cool it was
I ended up running into two other people in Indy gear while there, which was awesome. The cast members gave us front row seats at the stunt show because we were in gear which just made the whole thing even more fun!

I am incredibly grateful that I am alive and well today to tell my story. My hope is that my experiences can inspire someone or help them through something difficult in their lives. And it's a great bonus to have picked up a hobby like hat making as a result!

I think that one of the special things about this place is that we all have a common love for this franchise and the gear therein, but have unique stories as to how we got to where we are and how the films have impacted us. I am very happy to be here- I did indeed come for the gear, stay for the people

-WNY Indy

[bearbeast]

I said it before, but great job, my friend!

I love the finger pointing photo, it is awesome!

Cheers,
Bear

[indymassilia]

Your Raiders hat is very well made,congratulations !
And about the lining and leather headband,what is the color and material you choose ?
Thanks.

[Western New York Indy]

I said it before, but great job, my friend!

I love the finger pointing photo, it is awesome!

Cheers,
Bear

Thank you so much!! Your encouragement was what convinced me to finally post some pictures of this hat

Glad you liked the finger pointing picture! I slipped the gloves on for that one even though it was like 90 degrees Fahrenheit at the time
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a pic with the "Ford Finger of Doom."



-WNY Indy

[Western New York Indy]

Your Raiders hat is very well made,congratulations !
And about the lining and leather headband,what is the color and material you choose ?
Thanks.

Many thanks!

For the leather sweatband, I used an Etsy seller named Fern Thatcher Co. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1448720871 ... ch_click=1 It is very soft and comfortable and very nice quality for the price. I don't know what the color is called, but I used the brown color directly below the black sweatband in the product photos. It is a nice color that contrasts well with the color of the felt, but still keeps the nice brown color scheme. Here is a picture of it tacked in to test the fit before I sewed it shut in the back and then attatched it to the hat.


This is after I cut the brim but before I sanded down and blended some of the edges, so you can see some rough spots and ridges along the edge of the brim.

I did not put in a fabric liner since the first place I ever wore it was Disney World, and I wanted to hopefully keep the hat cooler to wear. I will probably put one in at some point, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I will just be tucking it in behind the sweatband, not using stitching, so that I can easily pull the liner in and out.

-WNY Indy

[Michaelson]

That’s exactly how I do a couple of my hats regarding the liner. It works.

Regards! M

[Western New York Indy]

That’s exactly how I do a couple of my hats regarding the liner. It works.

Regards! M

Good to know! I will probably have to learn how to sew liners in at some point, but for now I like having the option of just tucking it behind the sweatband and having it removable. Any place you'd recommend getting liners from?

-WNY Indy

[Tremolo]

Great work WNY!
For liners my suggestion would be bridal satin, it´s easy to get in metres and isn´t too thick, in case you want to do them yourself as well.

[Western New York Indy]

Great work WNY!
For liners my suggestion would be bridal satin, it´s easy to get in metres and isn´t too thick, in case you want to do them yourself as well.

Thank you!!

I will look into that! It'd be great to be able to make my own liners rather than buying them pre-made. Thanks for the suggestion!

-WNY Indy

[Howard Weinstein]

WNY Indy -- I've bought a bunch of hat liners from this online millinery supplier -- https://www.hatsupply.com/ribbons-sweat ... t-linings/

I don't like having my liners sewn or even glued in. It's easier to tweak the crown if the liner can just be pulled out. They do stay in place tucked behind the leather sweatband.

[Western New York Indy]

WNY Indy -- I've bought a bunch of hat liners from this online millinery supplier -- https://www.hatsupply.com/ribbons-sweat ... t-linings/

I don't like having my liners sewn or even glued in. It's easier to tweak the crown if the liner can just be pulled out. They do stay in place tucked behind the leather sweatband.

That seems like a great option and affordable price for liners! I think I will have to order one of those sometime and try making one as well to see if I like the pre made ones or making them from scratch better. I have seen that website a few times before. I've been keeping my eye on their dress weight felt bodies, since they are on the affordable side and look good to me. I have struggled with finding a good hat body supplier, since most companies I've contacted will either only sell in bulk, don't carry dress weight bodies, or are astronomically expensive.

I share this sentiment. It seems the most convenient option to be able to pull out the liner. If I ever make a hat and decide to secure the liner, I will probably sew it in. I have heard that glue is not great for the hat, so I'd keep the liner loose or learn how to sew it in rather than glue it in.

-WNY Indy