Club Obi Wan

My number 1 is an early Stetson Indy model with white silk lining. It has served me well through the years, hiking through the woods, doing lawn and garden work, partaking in adult beverages, and taming wild animals. It fits like a comfortable shoe and has really nice 'vintage' dust and sweat stains. The problem is, the brim is very floppy and looks more like a beach bum hat, than an Indy hat. Is there a way I can stiffen the brim? I also have a gold silk lining Stetson Indy, and a Peter's Brothers Indy in my arsenal.

Thanx,
Rick

Is the hat in question a felt hat? If so, and it's as floppy as you say, I would recommend steaming the brim and flattening it out, like with text books or some such. Once it sets in that position, I would shape the brim to the desired shape, with either more steam or some cold water in a spritzer, and use some felt stiffener after that, to help it keep that shape.

Ideally, if you have a non hot surface you can store the hat on to let the brim dry after you've applied stiffener, that's where I'd sit it. Like a mannequin head or something similar. If not, rest it on it's crown, upside down and give it a couplle of hours to set.

Welcome Blooze!

Like Strider said you can steam the brim or use a spray bottle and water to make the felt pliable. I use a wooden dow to roll the brim out flat. Once you do that you can use the steam or water again, this time to shape the brim how you want it. Some felt stiffner would help too, but I don't know where to tell you to get some.

P.S. Be careful to not get your hat to close to the kettle if you use steam. 10" or 12" is safe, but don't go below 8" or you could cause the hat to taper.

There are several ways to fix a floppy brim. I was advised to use cold water, that will keep the felt from shrinking... Another way was told to me by (Steve) AB, that is to buy some Scout Felt Stiffner. I like a stiff Fedora. Once you spray it on, you can form it the way you want, and it will stay there. You can use a little, or alot. for the desired look.

Hope that has been helpful???

Have a Great Day!!!

IndianaWill