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Making his own hat: Todd's ribbons : are they too short?

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:09 am
by Nicolas Jones
Hello folks,

I have almost finished making my first "self made fedora" in order to get the best possible result I have imported 4 todd's ribbons (from California to France) BUT something is terribly wrong :
The ribbon is too short to create a nice bow (the one we can see in the movies).

Image
Image

I had to hand-sew two of them in order to create one piece of ribbon...
the stitches are now hidden in the bow.

Is this problem has been mentioned before ????

(Pictures and comments about my work comming soon on indygear, Thanks to Mark Brody and his tutorial)

Nicolas

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:43 am
by Fedora
Depending upon size of hat, it will generally take 3 yards to make one complete ribbon and bow. The larger the hat, the more ribbon. This may be the problem. 1 yard won't cover all hat sizes. Fedora

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:18 pm
by Dutch_jones
Looking at your sketch I have to say you cannot make the ribbon that way!

look at this page:
http://www.dalexs.whitvani.net/hat/hatpage.html

it will explain all. Please post pictures of it.

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:20 pm
by binkmeisterRick
On the contrary, Dutch, there are several ways you can make the ribbon. Between newer and vintage hats I own, I've seen more than one way to make a ribbon and bow! :wink:

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:29 pm
by Fedora
Yeah, that way as shown is the best way, IMO. Makes for a better looking bow. And, I know 3 different ways to construct the ribbon/bow deal. One way uses less ribbon than the way shown above. A two piece configuration, instead of a one piece. Fedora

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:13 pm
by Weston
Wow, 3 yards? Are you sure you didn't mean 3 feet?

Weston

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:10 pm
by michaelb
I have to say, In answer to your question, I ordered a Todd's ribbon and used Dalexs' tutorial in order to replace a ribbon on a Stetson Temple. As we all know, that ribbon is a tad too tall for the "right look". I came up short as well! I think it may be the fact that you want that double overlapping bow at the back, (Can't remember if there is a proper term for it), and the ribbon might not be intended for that? I am not sure, but I know that I DID do everything right, and it looked great, but still, I had to use a separate piece from the original ribbon in order to finish it.

Same problem here anyway. Not enough ribbon.

MB

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:34 am
by Marcus Brody
You should look at Dalexs' ribbon page and see how he assembles the ribbon. The picture you posted involves a lot more material than it takes to make the 2 piece kind where the "bow" is a separate piece. However, the one piece version is so much nicer when it comes down to the details.