My 'handmade' hat

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:03 am

It's been a while since I've posted in 'The Fedora', but I'm back, and I finally took some pictures of the first hat I renovated on my homemade hatblock. It's not quite Indy, more 'Indy-esque', but I'm pretty proud of it. The hat I picked up at an antiques mall here in Rapid City, the ribbon and sweat from a a little shop in Wichita Falls, TX, while on TDY this summer. It was a 7 3/8, but I managed to stretch it into a 7 1/2-7 5/8! AND... I trimmed more than 5/8" off the brim the whole way 'round! Here we go... this might take a little while!

First, the hatblock. I've been doing a little more carving on it...

The hat, Resistol Western, before...

more to come...

Andy

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:03 am

On the head, after rebuild...

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:04 am

Inside and out...

Lemme know what ya'll think!

Regards,
Andy

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:27 am

That's a complete transformation - nice block too.
It's hard to believe that's the same hat. Well done

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:23 am

Very nice work. The hat looks great. The felt looks very thick.

Dave

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:49 am

big difference! all you'd need is a different ribbon and you're in 100% business!

Randy

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:53 am

I really like your hat´s side profile! The colour is more of a light brown/beige?
Great hat!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:06 am

GREAT looking hat!

Looks like you put some hard work into it (that felt sure DOES look thick & sturdy)... but the hard work sure paid off!
The end result is a real purdy (Indy-esque, as you said) hat!
Well done.
Mitch

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:47 pm

Thanks for the comments, everybody! I've settled on just keeping this one 'Indy-esque' rather than full-blown Indy, as I already have 2 ABs and a Fed Dlx. I like the narrower ribbon, and went with a simple design for the bow. The only embelishment was the seams that I left on the knot part; just a little extra decoration. The ribbon was the most difficult part to do, since the felt is so (ridiculously) dense and thick. Sewing the sweat in was relatively easy because I could man-handle it! I only bent 3-4 needles during the whole process... As far as my block goes, I need to change it. Too much reverse taper in the front AND back; I like the sides, though, they turned out pretty decent. I should be able to just taper the front and back of my block and take care of that problem on the next one I do. The brim trim was a little tedious, too. it was more or less just connect the dots with a Sharpie on the underside of the brim, and I used my sharpest knife to cut free-hand. Sandpaper helps alot when you screw up!!!

Thanks again,
Andy

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:51 pm

awesome work sir. definitely something to be proud of.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:19 pm

Yeah, I can see where you'd keep the hat as is. The hard work paid off, as most would just give up on it. I like it, seems like something you'd be proud to wear!

Don't Call Me Junior! · Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:51 pm

It seems more and more COW members are trying their hand at making/reblocking hats. There's a lot of talent amongst these parts!

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:09 pm

Don't Call Me Junior! wrote:It seems more and more COW members are trying their hand at making/reblocking hats. There's a lot of talent amongst these parts!

i think its fun....and it sure beats the wait times. i have 5 AB's....2 rabbit raiders, 1 beaver raider, and 2 CS beavers.....there is a wealth of information in these hats if you do some non-destructive reverse engineering (thanks steve

). i have 4 hj's that i'm doing 'mad scientist' stuff to, to learn the ropes. folks on the board have been very helpful and open with their knowledge which makes this part of the hobby more exciting than just placing an order and waiting.

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:17 pm

I must admit, I did the whole 'non-destructive reverse engineering' thing to my first AB... sorry, Steve, I just have a horrible need to see HOW things work and are put together! When my new one comes in, it won't recieve the same treatment! I resized it on my block, cut down the sweatband by about 1/4" and sewed it back in, and started experimenting with the ribbon and different bow shapes. The felt is crazy-durable, so I think I can do some more playing before I decide to put my final stamp on it or send it back to Steve for a 'refurb'. That experience was all in all probably the most informative action I could've taken, and taught me a great deal: how to properly line things up, stitching techniques (Marc Kitter and Art Fawcett kindly answered some of my stupid questions, too), etc. This Resistol won't be my last attempt, let me assure you! I'm looking forward to a few long winters in Alaska in the near future, so there should be plenty of time to practice up there!

Andy

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:45 pm

It is hard to believe that's the same hat. That's some nice work.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:27 pm

Good job! It looks great!

AnubisScales · Post by **AnubisScales** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:41 pm

Have pride indeed. That hat was hideous before your reblock, and you've done VERY well at that.

Mark Brody · Post by **Mark Brody** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:23 pm

That hat looks great! I also like the not quite Indy appearance of the hat. We need something a little different every now and then to shake things up.

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:31 pm

Thanks, Mark! Your posts last year about making your first hat were a great inspiration for me to eventually do this one, so my hat's off to you!

-Andy