A special hat for a very special day

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:42 pm

Hey y'all,

I was doing some grocery with my wife on Saturday, getting my shoes polished up and my suit cleaned for my sisters wedding this upcomming Saturday.

Then it hit me: "I ain't got a matching hat for that day

" And there's no way in "where-the-devil-lives" that my wife would gonna let me wear my beaten up Raiders Fedora for THAT occassion. So as soon as I came back home, I started working like a horse. I grabbed a grey rawbody, blocked it and did all kinds of weird things in order to make it dry faster. Next morning I got up early and continued working on the hat. I had some vague ideas of what I wanted but as always, the devil is in the detail. When I was done pouncing it, I simply couldn't believe how soft and pliable this felt had turned out. It felt so cloud soft and yummi, that I feared to have pounced it too thin but a quick re-measuring proved me wrong. So after sewing in the sweatband I went back to the hatshop to search for some golden vintage ribbon that Steve had given to me once. The bow design was really a pain in the behind and I spent LONG time fiddling around, before my wife had the idea of what would look best on this particular hat (two tone with some dark grey vintage ribbon - also from Steve). What she DIDN'T know, is that it would take a bloody hour just to get that darn bow to look as suggested :evil: Anyway, this "quick one day project" had already stunk up more time then originally planned, so I didn't want to start rushing things now, where everything else had turned out so nicely. At round about quarter to eleven that evening, the last stitch was done (except for the liner - which I haven't sewn in yet) and I could finally take a well deserved shower.

Today I fetched my suit from the chemical cleaner and put it on to see how it goes with the hat.

Here are the pictures, hope you like 'em (oh, and please excuse the stupid expression on my face - I'm not particularly fond of playing the dressman).

Front shot:

Long arm shot:

From above:

Close up of the bow:

Total:

As always, feedback is highly appreciated.

Regards,

Marc

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:46 pm

Like always another fantastic hat from you my friend. I love the bow and the hat is just perfect with the suit.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:46 pm

Oh.....my....goodness

I have a 'thing' for nice grey hats...and that is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL fedora, Marc!!!

You may need to add that to your stock offering!!!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

SpeedRcrX · Post by **SpeedRcrX** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:56 pm

Whaou, a truly beautiful hat, I hope you will enjoy yourself Saturday !

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:57 pm

that hat looks awesome,it goes so well with the suit,you look like you stepped right out of the 30's or 40's.Very nice and I would say you will have to add that one to your line up. Hope you have a good time at the wedding.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:10 pm

Thanks Gentlemen! Thanks a LOT!!! I really, really appreciate your kind feedback

Wish I had some more of that ribbon, however there's only 2-3 yards left. THANKS GOD I don't have any in 1", so I'm not even TEMPTED to put add a bound brim

Regards,

Marc

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:11 pm

It would be a natural for a bound edge, that's a fact, Marc!

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:16 pm

I'll PM you my address and you can send the hat to me.

Fantastic!

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:20 pm

Marc, absolutely magnificent work!

The hat is gorgeous and looks fantastic with the suit!

Careful though. Chewie will have that hat in a second.

8-[

Post by **Jens** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:22 pm

Now, that's the famous new "grey hat" you were talking about!

You were right - it became a masterpiece! Beautiful dress hat - and Michaelson's right: this one just screams for a bound brim!

Have fun this weekend, Bro' ... and greetings to your sister.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:22 pm

Marc, what's your sister's name?

When you offer it for sale, you could name the hat after her!

Indiana Strones · Post by **Indiana Strones** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:26 pm

Flash Gordon wrote:Marc, what's your sister's name?

When you offer it for sale, you could name the hat after her!

That's a very good idea.

MustangLoverMex · Post by **MustangLoverMex** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:50 pm

I want one!!!

-Alfonso

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:55 pm

Really, really, REALLY beautiful!
Another work of ART, Marc...
WELL DONE!
Mitch

The Librarian · Post by **The Librarian** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:58 pm

I love how the ribbon goes so well with your tie and handkerchief.

Marty

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:54 pm

Shazam! That is one nice looking lid Marc! Love that front pinch too.

What does the hat look like from the top? Couldn't tell from the reflection in the mirror.

Cheers!

Dan

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:04 pm

Canyon wrote:Marc, absolutely magnificent work!

The hat is gorgeous and looks fantastic with the suit!

Careful though. Chewie will have that hat in a second. 8-[

It seems my reputation precedes me. As we speak, a team of highly skilled ninjas are en route to procure that hat the moment the wedding ends! (I wasn't supposed to say that out loud, was I...)

Seriously Marc, that bow design is incredible, and the hat and suit look like they were made for each other like a matched set. Bravo!

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:25 pm

Marc,

Sorry man, it looks too terrible for you to keep it. I think, for your own sake, you should send it to me.

Excellent work, sir.

Cheers ! - Jersey

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:41 pm

Hey! I claimed it first! So, in all fairness, that hat should come to me.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:41 pm

........... (speechless)

Regards, Geert

WalkingEye · Post by **WalkingEye** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:57 pm

i want one!!!!!!

Incredible hat Marc.

FloatinJoe · Post by **FloatinJoe** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:07 pm

Marc, the hat looks amazing. I truly am glad you spent the extra time on the bow, because that is the best part.

Mike

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:12 pm

That is first class all the way Marc! I've been wanting a grey fedora for awhile now. The envy meter is of the scale!

Weston

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:41 pm

That is downright Amazing. Now I want one, but luckily for me, my wallet, and probably you (:lol:) I'd never have the opportunity to wear it, so I can't buy it. But if such an opportunity to wear that hat was common, I'd be saving my pennies and dedicating my time to finding more of that ribbon!

-KB

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:18 pm

Great hat Marc as always! Looks great with the suit. Will you be adding this to your lineup?

Odo · Post by **Odo** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:52 pm

I like it, but I didn't appreciate it till I saw the full pic, you wearing the suit, and then I realised how it matched the suit.
Toghether, that hat & suit, look terrific....

aza1701 · Post by **aza1701** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:44 am

That's one beautiful hat!

Cole · Post by **Cole** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:23 am

Wow, that is a realy nice hat. Exelent work Marc.

Canasta · Post by **Canasta** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:32 am

That thing kills.
I love the olive trim.
I mean really love it.

C

Dutch_jones · Post by **Dutch_jones** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:34 am

Looks good Marc, but I can't help but that that you could do with a little less brim too. Looks very on the wide side to me.
You're only missing your thompson gun in this shot I see

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:58 am

Thank you everyone

Marc, what's your sister's name?

When you offer it for sale, you could name the hat after her!

Her name is Solvej. However the hat is actually a grey Kaplan jr. (Raiders block with a CS creasing and a classic bow design - just the bound brim is missing), so it has a name already.

What does the hat look like from the top? Couldn't tell from the reflection in the mirror.

I'll see if I can manage to take a picture later today. It has an Indy Fedora top crease, so nothing spectacular here

Will you be adding this to your lineup?

They'll be available as long as I've got ribbon to make them (2-3 hats should be possible to make). Unfortunately once the ribbon is gone, it's gone. That's the downside with anything vintage I guess.

That thing kills.
I love the olive trim.
I mean really love it.

Thanks you! The trim came out looking a bit on the green side in the pictures (no idea why). It's a dark grey vintage ribbon in real life though - no green tint at all.

Looks very on the wide side to me.

I know where you're comming from. I guess that due to being so used to see myself with an Indy Fedora, I have gotton so used to these brim specs. that I feel un-comfortable with anything else. I also fear that the crown might look too high, if I'd cut the brim down, so I'll leave it as is for now (I can always trim it later).

You're only missing your thompson gun in this shot I see

Naaa, I like my sister's boyfriend

Thanks again to everyone,

Marc

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:04 am

That is seriously a piece of art, Marc. It's a beauty!

mark seven · Post by **mark seven** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:23 am

Beautiful!

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:41 am

Here are some quick outside pictures that I just took. I've losened up the front pinch a little in the meanwhile:

Regards,

Marc

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:48 am

That felt looks butter soft ! Great hat !

suburbancomics · Post by **suburbancomics** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:07 pm

That fedora is really a work of art, and I really love that vintage ribbon. But to me the best part is the fact that you needed a hat so you went to your shop and just whipped one up. That is certainly a skill I wish I possessed. Nice work!!!!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:25 pm

Wouldn't that be something if we ALL could?

I'm sure we'd all still frequent this site, but we'd be posting topics like
"Photos of the Hat I made for when I Mow the Lawn - Grass Green Ribbon!"

Or
"Everyone remember that Crazy Patterned Tie my kid gave me for Father's Day? Well, I Bought a Second One, Chopped it into a nice Matching Ribbon and Made THIS Hat! (See Photos!)"

Seriously though...
Marc I know you're getting a pretty clear idea that we all love that hat... THAT's pretty obvious.
Did you know it KEEPS getting better and BETTER looking with each consecutive viewing?
'Cause it does, my friend... it really does.

You know, if you all have a minute to read a little more, this whole discussion actually brings THIS thought to mind (and forgive this new guy if this subject has already been brought up before...)

But WHAT IF:
Marc, or, for that matter, any one of our respected, admired and valued Hat Artists were to present to this site a variation on the regular Ribbon and Bow we all usually seek out for our Indy - or Indy-Style - fedoras... some sort of "different" but "pleasing to the eye" nonetheless Design (or DesignS... maybe something we could all vote on)...

An Official Limited Edition Club Obi Wan Hat Ribbon

Something we could pick each other out of a crowd with (That's in my imagination where the world could actually HAVE a crowd peppered with people wearing hats

Maybe each one numbered or signed by hand on their hat facing side...
And it would be made available for puchase ONLY by COW Members.

Whattaya think about sometihng like THAT?

Now, I'm not talking about a limited edition series of COW Hats where it's the "Regular" Adventurebilt or Penman or Keppler or Magnoli HJ sold WITH the COW Hat Band (that would mean incurring the cost of ANOTHER Hat... which, might be difficult for a lot of us if it's maybe before we're ready for one - not to mention putting our already over-worked Hatters back in their Wait Times until we wouldn't get the hats made until 2012!)

I'm JUST talking about the ribbon and bow.
Design voted on by us.
Available for purchase only by us.
Just the ribbon that we put (or not) (or HAVE put) on to any one of our existing hats.

ALL these very talented gentlemen have their connections to those who manufacture BEAUTIFUL ribbons...
Could a few of you put the word out that you're looking for some ribbon with some sort of Color or Design Distinction? Something in the same kind of scheme as what Marc had (and what he DID with it)?
If you DID that, could you then take some pics and show us what you've got access to ordering?
It wouldn't HAVE to be Vintage necessarilly, although I suppose it COULD BE...
Y'see? There are lots of options open to us if we DID this.
Maybe, I dunno... a Jet Black Ribbon but with a Coffee Colored Trim to it or a Light Grey Trim or... well, YOU get the idea.

Or am I being naive and we can never really agree and get along well enough to make this happen?

I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on this... Do any of you have any suggestions? Is there a ribbon color and design that you think would look pretty sweet/cool on a Sable colored hat AND a Grey Travel Hat AND a Deep Brown Hat?

The end result could be that we all come out of this with a really great memento. A souvineer of our time and dedication put into this great site.
Shouldn't we start talking about something like this?
- Or have I just proposed us opening a GIGANTIC Can of Worms?

(Stepping down off of soapbox now...)

Mitch

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:34 pm

Marc, looking at this hat again I might have to call you that favorite name I use to call G-mann. I love it.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:02 pm

I like the idea Mitch! It would be really nice to create a COW hat. I know, you're only talking the ribbon here, but it would actually be easier to design the entire hat for me INCL. the ribbon and then of coure the ribbon could be available on its one without the hat.

I'll be happy to make some drawing / sketches next week and then everyone can suggest what needs to be changed until we're all happy with the final result.

Neat idea Mitch

HIGH regards,

Marc

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:51 pm

Marc...
YOU sir, are, in fact... the MAN!

(And this big, goofy grin of mine is now stuck on my face for the rest of the day!)

Mitch

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:58 pm

Don't start grinning to quickly, my friend. I'd double check with the webmaster about this idea.

the last thing we need is to get our proverbial backside in a sling with Lucasfilm over anything being an 'official COW' item. That's why the COW challenge coin went the way of the dodo bird.

Drop Mike a line before you proceed, Marc.

Regards! Michaelson

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:59 pm

Classy, Marc. Real classy!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:05 pm

Michaelson wrote:Don't start grinning to quickly, my friend. I'd double check with the webmaster about this idea.

the last thing we need is to get our proverbial backside in a sling with Lucasfilm over anything being an 'official COW' item. That's why the COW challenge coin went the way of the dodo bird.

Drop Mike a line before you proceed, Marc.

Regards! Michaelson

Is it the word "COW" that is the problem? How about the official forum hat?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:06 pm

Yep. Anything that goes back to anything 'owned' by Lucas and Co. is null and void. COW definitely falls under that desciption.

Regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:08 pm

Michaelson wrote:Yep. Anything that goes back to anything 'owned' by Lucas and Co. is null and void. COW definitely falls under that desciption.

Regards! Michaelson

It the word Cow.

How about if its just the official Forum hat ( non Indy) not even brown?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:25 pm

Not my decision.

I've alerted Mike to stick his head in when he gets a moment so he can offer an opinion.

Regards! Michaelson

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:33 pm

I CERTAINLY don't want to cause ANY trouble for ANYONE in here, so I'll not call it anything official, whenever I get around to make the drawings. I really didn't know about the legal aspects of this and I wouldn't have DARED to call a hat design of mine an official COW design without permission anyway. I hope you didn't take this the wrong way nor that you got the impression, that it was my intention to act as an officially representative hatter of this forum.

I'll make some drawings of "A" hat and post pictures for all of you to decide whether you like it or not. I believe nobody could be harmed that way.

Regards,

Marc

TheMechanic · Post by **TheMechanic** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:41 pm

Awesome hat Marc. Well done. Like I said before, probably the best looking hat I've ever seen.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:53 pm

Marc wrote: I'll make some drawings of "A" hat and post pictures for all of you to decide whether you like it or not. I believe nobody could be harmed that way.

Regards,

Marc

Sounds like a plan to me!

Regards! Michaelson

indyrocks · Post by **indyrocks** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:10 pm

Why not call it something simple, like "The Archaeologist" ?

A special hat for a very special day

A special hat for a very special day

hat

Great hat.