Help with an old cowboy hat.

Man Hat Tan · Post by **Man Hat Tan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:36 am

Long story short...............My daughter Sara (12) want an Indy costume for this year Halloween. She will call herself...Indiana Janes.

So we went shopping today and got pretty much what we needed to start off...a pant, shirt, shoes, belt and an old brown cowboy hat. Total cost is about $17. I can take care the rest except the hat.

The hat fits her perfectly and only cost me $7. Anybody willing to help with reblocking the hat, trim it, put a new ribbon and bashing it ? I am willing to pay shipping to and from. On a good note.....Take this offer as a good practice experience for all you hatters out there.

Please let me know if you willing......

Here some pics.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3336.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3337.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3338.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3341.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3333.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3331.jpg

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:37 am

You might want to check out this thread: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41690

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:41 am

The unfortunately reality is your daughter could wear the hat as is and come Halloween everyone will know she's Indiana Janes. That being said I think you could pull off the "re-block" at home. I've seen members use Rubbermaid type sugar/flour containers as a block. Given your daughter's head is presumably smaller than adult a container like this should work pretty well. The hat looks to be really floppy/soft so it'll be even easier to reshape than a hat that's stiff as wood.

I assume based on the total cost of the costuem you got it second-hand, but what's the brand of shirt you found? It looks awesome and I'd love to get some for my boys.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:49 am

I think replacing the ribbon with a 1.5'' grosgrain ribbon will do the job. It doesn't really need the reblock to pull off the Indy look. It could use it to get that stovepiped Raiders look and shorten up the crown a bit, but that isn't entirely necessary for a Holloween costume. Maybe even giving the hat a c-dent *GASP!!!*

will do the job to get the stovepipe look. But, a simple ribbon change will do the job. If you want to reblock the hat, then I suggest going the styrofoam block route. It is easy and cheap. It isn't as great as a wooden block, but it will get the job done.

Dave

inexpensive_jones · Post by **inexpensive_jones** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:58 am

I agree with the others and just do a few modifications yourself. Simply cut the brim down, wet the hat a bit with a spray bottle and shape it, then finish it off with a new 1.5" grossgrain. No real need for a reblock and the only thing that will take time is the ribbon. That outfit looks great and at a price I truly respect, well done.

Man Hat Tan · Post by **Man Hat Tan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:54 am

Thank you for all the advise....guys.

Just a few questions..
1. Where do I get the ribbon?
2. You guys are right. I can probably do some "home-reblock". Do I just soak the hat in a bath tub and reblock it with Rubbermaid container OR reblock it and then spray some water ??
3. Any good tutorials for DIY home-reblock.
4. Any tutorials to reribbon the hat.

I assume based on the total cost of the costuem you got it second-hand, but what's the brand of shirt you found? It looks awesome and I'd love to get some for my boys.

Yes, I got everything from several thrift stores. The shirt is from LL Bean. The pant is DKNY and the shoe is ARIAT.

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:57 am

You can reblock it like that, but make sure that what you will be using as the block will make the hat wearable for your daughter. You can get grosgrain ribbon at any crafts store.

Dave

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:02 pm

Weston posted information on using a rubbermaid container for a reblock here.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33489&hilit=rubbermaid+block

And Dalexs has a great tutorial on ribbon replacement here.
http://www.dalexs.whitvani.net/

Todd's Costume offers a replacement ribbon that's $2.95. However, shipping is $7.95. If you are planning on getting anything else from Todd throw the ribbon in, otherwise I agree to go with to a local craft store.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

inexpensive_jones · Post by **inexpensive_jones** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:40 pm

Walmart carries grossgrain ribbon for 99¢ a yard. Colors available vary by store. Black works alright for a costume if they don't have brown.

Man Hat Tan · Post by **Man Hat Tan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:06 pm

Since I don't have much to do today.....I decided to give it a go

I found a bucket that really fit the hat for re-block.

With the help of my son, we started spraying the hat......

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3351.jpg
While it is drying, I decided to go to Michael's to look for some ribbon. Found this chocolate mocha color...which I think is perfect for Indiana Janes...brown with alittle pinkish.
Got home and the hat is all dry. Using my Fed IV Deluxe as a template, I trace and trim the brim. The cut wasn't perfect, so i use a sanding block with 400 grit sandpaper and smoothe it off.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3355.jpg
Then I went ahead and make the bow and the ribbon...........

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3370.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3367.jpg
Then slide it on the hat and tack it and put back the liner.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3373.jpg
Finally..................

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3386.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/ ... G_3393.jpg

Next to my Fed IV Deluxe....

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:26 am

VERY nice work!! There's lots of us with "close-enoughs" that don't come that close.

LJ

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:32 am

Outstanding work!!!

Your daughter is going to be the hit of Halloween. Now remember come November 1st we all want to see her in her Indiana Janes finest.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Man Hat Tan · Post by **Man Hat Tan** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:34 am

Thanks everyone for all the supports, ideas and comments.
I was pretty impressed myself too after I set it up next to me Fed IV. Not bad at all for a so-so job on a Sunday afternoon

Even the wife was impressed.......that make me fell better

One last question............

There are some few soft spots on the fedora. Any idea on how to make it stiff ?
I was thinking about using some spray starch or spray can laquer. Not sure if this works.

Indiana Jeff wrote:Outstanding work!!! Your daughter is going to be the hit of Halloween. Now remember come November 1st we all want to see her in her Indiana Janes finest.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Will do.

A

Ranger36 · Post by **Ranger36** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:41 am

Very nice work! I love it!

Ranger36 · Post by **Ranger36** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:08 pm

Perhaps you could persuade your daughter to take some early Halloween pics? I dying to see how it all looks together.

Man Hat Tan · Post by **Man Hat Tan** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:37 pm

Ranger36 wrote:Perhaps you could persuade your daughter to take some early Halloween pics? I dying to see how it all looks together.

Definitely......

I'll try and persuade her.

][ndy · Post by **][ndy** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:30 am

That is some impressive work you did there

! I also like the color better, than that of your (and also every other) FedIV. But that is just personal taste.

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