Is it possible to block a hat smaller?

JohnNdy · Post by **JohnNdy** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 5:04 am

Anyone? I have always blocked my 7 1/8 hats with my 7 1/8 block and I have an old 7 1/4 hat that fits fine (my head size happens to be right between the two sizes) but I am making a new 7 1/8 raiders block that is going to be the definitve block for me and I would like to block this hat on it. SO...is it possible to pop the 7 1/4 hat on my 7 1/8 block and "shrink it down? how would I do this? The felt is really amazing vintage borsalino felt and is hard to shrink with heat / water. My guess is that I would need a brim flange (but I don't have one). Can this be done? Has anyone blocked a larger hat down to a smaller size?

-John

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:58 am

I have done many. Put the hat on the block and use steam, from a little to alot. As Art says, he has never seen a hat that won't shrink with steam. Fedora

JohnNdy · Post by **JohnNdy** » Sat May 01, 2004 6:28 am

Thanks Fedora! If it doesn't work you may have a 7 1/4 hat coming your way for a reblock if that's ok. Now I just need to get me a steamer, teapots probably won't do the trick...

-John

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sat May 01, 2004 8:35 am

teapots probably won't do the trick...

I would suggest an open pot with the burner on high. To really shrink a hat down, it helps to have large amounts of steam and also the heat that goes with an open pot. I have a couple of small steamers, and they just don't throw out enough steam for downsizing a hat. Fedora

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:08 pm

If it is possible to shrink a hat, then how far down can it be shrunk? Like could you shrink a 7 3/4 down to a 7 1/2 or 7 1/4 ?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:29 pm

I have shrunk rabbit blends two sizes down,i.e. 7 1/2 to 7 1/4. It is much harder to shrink beaver felt though, and I have not suceeded in shrinking beaver down more than one hat size, and then it was a loose 7 1/4. So, it depends on the felt. Fedora

Fedoraman · Post by **Fedoraman** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:38 pm

How about stretching a hat with out loosing brim width? What are the limits and such?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun May 02, 2004 3:28 pm

I have stretched up one hat size, but you always lose something in the process. I would rather downsize, then you lose nothing. Fedora

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Sun May 02, 2004 3:39 pm

I have beaver stetson that I would like to shrink down to a size suitible for a 2 year old.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun May 02, 2004 4:09 pm

Hey Ren. I have an idea. Buy a new Stetson, wear it in the rain, watch it shrink before your very eyes, and voila, it should fit the young man.

regards, Fedora

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Sun May 02, 2004 4:14 pm

Fedora wrote:Hey Ren. I have an idea. Buy a new Stetson, wear it in the rain, watch it shrink before your very eyes, and voila, it should fit the young man. regards, Fedora

That's how I picked the stetson in the first place for him to wear. I might have to remove the sweatband so it can keep on shrinking.