Reshaping a felt hat?

[bikercelt1]

I've also used the steam kettle technique successfully. I used a rasp and file to shape some wood blocks to press the softened felt against. I was able to get some pretty uniform shapes in the crown and brim with a block to press against. I always wondered if that's why it's called "blocking".

Jamie

[Nick]

I've spent some time with the kettle, and the hat now has a lot better shape, especially the brim. I also had to completely steam out the crown and re-bash it (I'm partial to diamond and teardrop creases). It's drying now. I'm a little concerned about watermarks, it's a black hat with a wide white grosgrain band, but I think I can fix that with a q-tip and some bleach, if it becomes an issue.

I'll post pics of my progress once the hat's dried.

[thescot]

The steam thing definitely works; that's how haberdashers do it. I'll have to give Fearnest's copper tube method a try.

You can take the hat band off to clean it and protect it while you clean the felt. It's usually just held in place by a thread and/or spot of glue so it'll come off easily. That way you won't risk bleaching the felt.

My fedora and cowboy hats are pretty old, but they'll snap back really well with a little judicious application of steam, some careful shaping, and a little voodoo. If there's a western shop nearby, they'll probably offer some hat blocking.

[The Wizard of BC]

Water marks on your hat are caused by impurities. Be they impurities in the water you used to steam the hat or sweat that was not noticable till the steam forced it to collect.

Either way a careful washing should remove them. If the marks are only on the hatband, carefully clip the small stitches holding it in place and wash it in cold water with a little dishwashing liquid or liquid detergent. Use only one or two drops in a pan of water. The secret is lots of water. Use distilled or filtered water if you have it. If the hatband is wrinkled after washing you can iron it on synthetic setting.

If the marks are on the hat itself and surrounding the area you steamed then they are probably from the water you used in the kettle. Use distilled or filtered water and lightly re-steam. Not enough to soften the hat and lose the shape you have, but enough to force the new steam into the hat.