Shaping a hat! Best way to go about it?

[The0w3n5]

Ive just received my hat-shaper from the US and am wondering if there was any advice about how I should go about re-blocking it (It only needs a small re-block, nothing too serious).

Ive read about spraying water and using steam but I am still unsure about what would be the best option for my hat (I have a Christy's).

Any thoughts?

[Ranging Robert]

Christy's felt felt or straw? If you really want to reblock a fur felt hat, spray it with a mist of distilled water until the felt is moist, but not soaked then put the hat on the shaper and have at it-work the felt by rubbing it in a counterclockwise direction. Then let it dry on the shaper. good luck!

oh yeah-check out the fedora lounge for other ideas.

[The0w3n5]

Christy's felt - adventurer.

Thanks for the info - distilled water was a technique that i was going to try but thanks for the extra stuff about the working. Much appreciated!

[BendingOak]

With the christy felt. Just spray them and then pull it over your block. Make sure you don't get the brim wet. When you have the brim break in place, tie it down with a blocking tie or the felt will shrink. Let it sit for at least a day or two.

[The0w3n5]

With the christy felt. Just spray them and then pull it over your block. Make sure you don't get the brim wet. When you have the brim break in place, tie it down with a blocking tie or the felt will shrink. Let it sit for at least a day or two.

Thanks very much, do you suggest putting cling film over the hat shaper? I read on another forum that this may be useful for removing the hat.

[BendingOak]

Most likely you won't need to do that since your just spraying it and not soaking.

[The0w3n5]

Most likely you won't need to do that since your just spraying it and not soaking.

Thanks very much- so I need to:

1) remove liner
2) spray the crown but not the brim
3) put the hat on the ABS hat shaper
4) tie string around the hat where the brim break is to retain shape.
5) work the felt by rubbing it in a counterclockwise direction
6) leave to dry for 2-3 days
7) remove hat, reattach liner
bash it to desired shape and enjoy in the wonderful summer sun

Many thanks for the help!!

[The0w3n5]

Just though I would share a quick update!

The hat was placed on the hat shaper which was a tad to big and as a result I lost about 1/4 of an inch off the top height (check photo).

Otherwise, all is good and the taper has definitely been reduced.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/585/imagebun.jpg/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/706/image2hck.jpg/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/image3bh.jpg/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Thanks for all the help!

[BendingOak]

Please explain what you mean by work the hat counter clockwise? thats a new one on me.

Did you remove the sweatband? and why not remove the ribbon?

[Ranging Robert]

That counter clockwise thing was from me-I figured he was going to reblock so I suggested he rub the felt counterclockwise to go in the direction of the felt.

[The0w3n5]

I did not remove the sweat band or the ribbon because of some issues I was having with them when removing them - for my next reblock I am going to replace both of them so they will be removed.

[BendingOak]

That counter clockwise thing was from me-I figured he was going to reblock so I suggested he rub the felt counterclockwise to go in the direction of the felt.

No need to do that at all.

[Ranging Robert]

Huh...thats what the hatter does every time he reshapes/reblocks my hat. I figured it was part of the process. I'll ask him about it today.

[The0w3n5]

Well, I believe the holding gave the felt a 'pattern'. Here are the results:









Many thanks for your help!

[baddates1]

Wow! That is very good! Is that based off of the KotCS? Or the last crusade? or the temple of doom?

[The0w3n5]

Wow! That is very good! Is that based off of the KotCS? Or the last crusade? or the temple of doom?

It is a mix between crusade and skull. Since this photo I have re-done the bow to get a better look.

[BendingOak]

Looks like the front crease is too high. What is the creased crown height in the front?

[The0w3n5]

About 4.2 inches now. Since the photo, it's been re-bashed to remove that curve on the front.