Club Obi Wan

I was looking at a local thrift shop and there is a nice fedora but the inner circumference is only 20 3/4 inches, I need about a 22, it is a good price though, anyone nknow if I can buy it and stretch it? Thanks Chris

They can be stretched up about one size but after that the felt will tear. I think you're outa luck on this one.

fedoralover

Shop around some more. The bargains are out there. I found a hat my size not too long ago in an antique store ... and it's a 63! Large sizes are to be found. You just need to perservere.

Thanks what ***** about this one is that it is a borsalino, is a great brown color, and has a crown height of 5 inches... Makes you wonder, Chris

I have resized a hat 5 sizes up or down. It is best to stay within three. Just this morning a hat that started as a 7 3/8 was mad into a 6 7/8. I have also made an 8 1/4 out of a 7 3/4. That five sizes translates into approxinatly two inches. This is not simply streching but a long, gradual process.

That is indeed encouraging! Now I won't be sweating as I stretch the crowns out on my reblocks. thanks for the info. Fedora

JPdesign wrote: I have also made an 8 1/4 out of a 7 3/4.

Good God! All I can think is about the poor mother that gave birth to such a huge head. An episiotomy for sure.

Father: Look at the size of that boy's head. I'm not kidding it's like an orange on a toothpick!"
Tony: "Shh. You're going to give the boy a complex..."
Father: "Oh that's a huge noggin'. It's a virtual planetoid. Has it's own weather system!"

-Sergei
p.s. A little interjection of humor. )

I have had inquiries as to the process for drastic shrinking and streching. I cannot give out this information. It is trade secret. I will say it can all be done in conjuction with a renovation at Peters Bros.

You can sure tell I've been here to long today. All I can see in my 'minds eye' is what the 'trade secret' is Joe Jr. grabbing one side of a hat, and JPDesign grabbing the other, then them pulling as hard as they can to stretch the hat, short of everything ripping, or one of them falling down. Of course, I'm SURE this isn't the procedure. Regards. Michaelson

Heavy machines must be used... right?

Maybe they throw the hat under a passing asphalt roller!

That would solve a crown height problem, wouldn't it? Regards. Michaelson

I was thinking more along the lines of Tractor Pulls.

I do know that Joe Jr. is into hotrods and old Camaros....hummm, hey Renderking, maybe we're onto something! Regards. Michaelson

I know the secret, and I could tell you if I wanted to. I just don't want to.
Indiana Philip

I know you can strech a hat and Ive made that mistake with a HJ. Is there a way to shrink a hat thats tool large (just barely too big), without using foam pads? thanks

Hey Chamorro, long time no see! last time I saw you on COW was like a year ago.

Landing Party- You can shrink a hat (not permanently) just by wearing it out in the rain, and then letting it dry. It will have shrunk a little. :junior: -IJ

wont the rain creat a taper?

The safest way is to turn down the leather sweatband and wet it with a sponge, then take a hair dryer and carefully dry it out. The leather will **** up and shrink.

regards fedoralover

cool Ill try that, this wont hurt or change the shape of the fur will it? thanks

And how should a hat fit on your head? Should it just rest comfortably on your head and be able to be pushed down for wind? My old hat sat high on my head but comfortable. If I pushed it down it would hurt my head and leave marks.

These hats are far tougher than you think, Landing Party. I've had my PB custom for a year now and in that time it's been through rain, sun, the sweat of my brow, being snatched off my head, and its still fine. Besides, all hats taper eventually. It's just the natural wear and tear a hat goes through. When it does taper, you just need to send it to a hatter like Fedora, Optimo or PB and they'll reblock it for you. When your hat returns it will be as good as new.
As for how to wear it, I'm really not sure how to answer that. I know I wear it pushed down so that the sweatband is about 2 cms above my eyebrows. I don't really know how others on the forum wear theirs. :junior: -IJ

IndianaJones wrote:Hey Chamorro, long time no see! last time I saw you on COW was like a year ago.

Chamorro posted that 10 months ago.