Destruction / Construction - Part 1

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

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Modern Jones
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Destruction / Construction - Part 1

Post by Modern Jones »

Well, there's been quite a "custom" craze going on lately. I just wanted to share with everyone my current project. I have to forewarn Michaleson first though. This is not for the "vintage faithful". :wink:

My Fed Deluxe, due to Akubra's poor block at the time is basically a Raiders of the Last Temple. Whatever look I try to achieve, it mimicks all 3 movies at the same time. I keep trying for Raiders, but block and felt (thickness) won't let me achieve it for my head/face.

I bought a vintage JC Penny, which apparently is a Stetson Soveriegn. And I believe it too!!! The felt is the best felt I have felt! (Whew!) This will be my absolute Raiders hat if all works out well.

A new block and brim set are on there way to me, so I decided to take the hat apart. It's a 6 7/8 and I'm a 7 1/8 - 7 1/4. To this point, I can recall many people mentioning they have done this. With before and after shots. I wanted to show the process. For kicks and learning for gearheads who haven't tried this before.

Here's Part 1 - The Destruction

The Fed vs. the JCP
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/fedd_jcp ... ompare.JPG

Look at how thin the felt is!!!
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/fedd_jcp ... ompare.jpg

Classic construction. The sweatband is sewn with approximatley 300 stitches around the crown!!!
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_inside.jpg

Close your eyes Michaelson!!!
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_destruction.jpg

Instead of Akubra glue. The liner is sewn in!
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_liner.jpg

The next part will be to block, sew the sweatband in there and make a new silk liner.

Skip
Last edited by Modern Jones on Wed Dec 03, 2003 2:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Michaelson »

You're doing a rebuild. No problem here. It's these crazy distressing practices that bothers me.... :shock: :wink: Regards. Michaelson
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Post by Modern Jones »

It's a rebuild and recreate as well, Michaelson. I thought you might appreciate a classic like this one.

I forgot to mention specs.

It's 6 7/8 with 2 7/8" brim. Plenty for my face.

Oh, for anybody checking out the the color, it is a light tan. I chose this hat on purpose when I bought it. And I stated, this'll be my Raiders fed.

Here's a hint ... it won't be light tan for much longer ... :shock:


Regards,

Skip

P.S. 3kbucks I'll be turning and burning!!! No wire though.
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Post by Fedora »

A word of warning. The large amount of stitching that is used to attach the sweatband to the hat becomes a dotted line on the felt. So, when you stretch this over the block, be really careful, and cross you fingers. I had one hat tear along this dotted line. Thats what perforated lines are good for. I wish someone had of told me ahead of time. :wink: :lol: Fedora
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Post by rick5150 »

Hey Skip.

I couldn't help but notice that there is a cat very close to your hats in the first picture :evil: You may want to keep an eye on him - I understand they can wreak havoc with fedoras.

Good luck with your project. How do you intend to change the color?
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Post by Pyroxene »

I am curious as to how you are going to dye or color the hat.

I have flagged this thread for posts.

Good Luck,
Pyro
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Post by Modern Jones »

Fedora. Thank you so much for the tip. This'll be the first hat I've tried that's this classic.

rick5150, I try my best to keep those guys away. They love the smell or something.

Pyro. I have dyed using natural dye and other brands on regular fabric. All with success. I have a few tests right now on different fabrics and felts. RIT is one thing I haven't used before. Dalexs and I have to have a powwow. I hear he's a RIT guru.

I just snapped a few pics with the hat turned in its raw form. It's got some snap, in it. Check out the Raiders brim action!

http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_angle.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_front.jpg

This ones for 3Kbucks
http://home.comcast.net/~mgl17/jcp_front_down.jpg

I can't wait to block the crown. From the side it's got some original taper. it also needs to get a smidgen taller.


Regards,

Skip
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Post by Marc »

Interesting project.

Good luck and may the force be with you (I know - wrong forum but anyway).

Regards,

Marc
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Post by IndyBlues »

Nice! That does have a great Raiders brim. Can't wait to see the finished product. Kudos!
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Post by Farnham54 »

This shall be an amazing transformation, I am very interested to see how the color turns out!

Nice work and good luck!

Regards,

Farn
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Post by Pyroxene »

Make sure to mark which way is front and back. In my experience, with out the sweatband in there, it difficult to tell

py.
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Post by Modern Jones »

Thanks for the support Marc, Farnham and IndyBlues! :D

Pyro, I remember reading a post where or yourself Fedora lost track of the front? Is that true? Thankfully, whoever the hatter was put a red mark on the back of the hat.

Image

Image

If it wasn't for your or Fedora, I think I would have made that very same oversight. I guess that probably happened to all the old school hatters too! Judging by what I found with the red line!


Regards,

Skip
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Post by Renderking Fisk »

Skip...

If you're coming to my party on the 20th you're going to have to bring the results.
whipwarrior

Post by whipwarrior »

You're doing a rebuild. No problem here. It's these crazy distressing practices that bothers me....
*AHEM!* 8)
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Post by JohnNdy »

Skip, I am very interested in how this turns out. I happen to have a GORGEOUS vintage tan borsalino that I wanted to transform in the exact same way, with a dye and reblock. I was thinking RIT dye. What stops me from going through with it, though, is the fact that the sweatband is indeed sewn in BEAUTIFULLY. I have changed sweatbands on akubras before, but I could never recreate the artistry of this sewing, and I don't want the end result to look shoddy. The hat does need a reblock at the very least, as it has a *slight* taper even after 60 years or so. Even a reblock, though, requires taking the band out, and I would dread having to stitch it in. I could try my best, and I am sure that I could put it in, but it just wouldn't look as perfect as before...so I'm still waffling about this one.

-John
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Post by Michaelson »

You heard me, whipwarrior. [-X :wink: Regards. Michaelson
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Post by Modern Jones »

Renderking Fisk wrote:Skip...

If you're coming to my party on the 20th you're going to have to bring the results.
If I get my block and brim in time. I'll also be sure to bring my Fed Deluxe. It is the best fedora I've owned in 10 years. :wink:

Hopefully, it dyes nicely. We'll see what happens? 8-[ Like JohnNdy just posted, I'm sure more than a few of us have thought about it. I just figured, ... why not?

Regards,

Skip
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Post by Lindiana »

I have a stetson sovereign size 7 1/4 I got years ago. I really like that hat and reshaped it myself for a more Raiders look. I've been wearing my Fed deluxe lately and am waiting for my Keppler to arrive I ordered the end of June. That hat looks like it'll be a winner, best of luck.
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Post by Modern Jones »

rick5150 wrote:Hey Skip.

I couldn't help but notice that there is a cat very close to your hats in the first picture :evil: You may want to keep an eye on him - I understand they can wreak havoc with fedoras.

Good luck with your project. How do you intend to change the color?
I forgot to comment on how sharp rick's eyes are.

Let's play a game ... Can anyone else spot the cat? :lol:

Click Here!

Skip

P.S. His name is Marcus. My other cat's name is Indy. You can guess I have a loving/accepting wife. She knew when we got them that one of them was going to be Indy. Marcus is the clueless one. :wink:
I'l post pics of them tommorrow.
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Cats!...why did it have to be Cats!

Post by Kilgour Trout »

Officer...that cat bares a striking resesemblence to the cat that shredded my Hat!!! :shock: It was black and white and had a pink nose... :wink:

Skip.. this project is great. Trying to salvage my Fed D. will be helped watching the process. I've got nothing to lose eh... :lol: Just curious...You said you're a 6 7/8, is that British or American? It wouldn't be 56 cm would it?

Warm Regards
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Post by Modern Jones »

Kilgour, thanks for the positive feedback. I hope the FedD is somewhat salvageable. It depends if it's your outdoors/beater hat. But too much rugged character doesn't make a sharp formal dress hat.

Here's Indy & Marcus ...

Image

They're cute as can be, but Marcus is the terror of the family. Into everything!!! :x :D

And I'll be sure to keep them away from the fedoras!

Skip
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Post by Marcus Petrius »

Yeah, I'm the terror of my family and best kept away from hats!
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Post by Modern Jones »

Marcus Petrius wrote:Yeah, I'm the terror of my family and best kept away from hats!
Marcus, if you visit, there could be a space-time continuum issue.

Something about "the same matter can't occupy the same space", or some jargon. :roll: :lol:


Skip
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Post by Farnham54 »

Skip, that is a GREAT photo; great lighting and the like an cute as a button too.

You should enter that in a few competitions, see how ya do!

Regards,

Farn
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Post by Modern Jones »

Farnham54 wrote:Skip, that is a GREAT photo; great lighting and the like an cute as a button too.

You should enter that in a few competitions, see how ya do!

Regards,

Farn
Thanks Farnham! I'm an idiot savant when it comes to photographs and Photoshop. It's weird how I get everything to work. It's kinda like someone that knows where everything is in town, ... but doesn't know the street names. :-s :-k

Unlike some of the graphic artists we have here who actually "know" what they're doing, I feel my way through. It's still very fun, though! :D


Regards,

Skip
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Post by Fedora »

How is the project coming Skip? Got any more pics? thanks Fedora
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Post by Modern Jones »

Fedora wrote:How is the project coming Skip? Got any more pics? thanks Fedora
Between the massive amount of snow, taking care of the boy and teaching a computer security class, it's been on a small delay to get to the craft store. :(

Due to my crazy work schedule. I am on pause till this weekend. The new block and brim set should hopefully be in by then too!!! I've got some sample felt ready to go and a couple of big ol' buckets. :D

I'll post the sample felts wet then dry to see the color first. I'll do a poll with you all to see which colors look best. I can't wait!!!!!

Skip

P.S. I'm glad you (Fedora) and Pyro are having another "block" thread. This'll help big time. I was able to get a block and a brim set!!! I can't imagine blocking wet felt without a brim (flange?).
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