Looking for post on restoring hats

[Fireyfishstick]

I read a post just the other night on how to re-block and stiffen hats, but for the life of me cannot find it.

I am currently trying to ressurect a very old Raedemacher hardee hat and any info would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. anyone know if it is possible or what best method would be to re-dye these hats?

Thanks,

Jason Asher

[Fireyfishstick]

Re: Looking for post on restoring hats

I am also looking to replace the silk hat ribbon. Wooded Hamlet has 2 diff. ribbon variations in the correct size. Anyone know which is corect style/weave? Also if anyone knows a better source for this please clue me in.

Thanks Again,
Jason Asher

[Yellowhammer]

Re: Looking for post on restoring hats

If you want to have you hat reblocked, contact the maker. As the word implies, "reblocking" requires wetting the hat and reshaping it on a block. Once dry it would then be stiffened.

Unless you have the necessary tools, you can't really reblock a hat at home.

[Bill Cross]

Re: Looking for post on restoring hats

If you want to have you hat reblocked, contact the maker. As the word implies, "reblocking" requires wetting the hat and reshaping it on a block. Once dry it would then be stiffened. Unless you have the necessary tools, you can't really reblock a hat at home.

Tim Bender sells an adjustable hat stretcher for $15 plus shipping that can help if a hat has been squashed or left to dry in some position that has distorted its shape. While it would not reblock a completely shapeless hat, there is a certain amount of fixing one can do at home. The hat should be wet GENTLY (the spray nozzle on your kitchen sink will do nicely), then it should be applied to noggin. Once the hat assumes the configuration you want, take it off and allow it to AIR DRY (no radiators, no sunlight, just time). As John correctly states, a hopelessly misshapen hat cannot be saved this way, but it's first aid if you accidently put your hat in the back of your truck, forgot and then put your cartridge box or something else on the brim or pushed a six pack up against it for a few days. ;)

[DukeRPSC]

Re: Restoring hats

Just out of curiosity, why are you "restoring" this hat? You may have a 'pre-distressed' gem on your hands and may not be looking at it in exactly the right way. If the ribbon is worn, the color is faded and the shape is not "as issued" you may have a nice-looking veteran campaigner there and a fine way to avoid looking like a fresh fish.

Just wondering.

[Fireyfishstick]

Re: Looking for post on restoring hats

I think I made a mistake when I used the word Restore. I don't want it to look new, I just wanted it to look like a hat again, This thing was as flat as a pancake.
Thanks to all posting, but I have figured it out except for the stiffening.
I wish I had before and after pics. So now instead of a flat, shapeless " Jed Clampett" hat, it now closely resembles the so called " Stevenson" hat. I just wish I knew how to stiffen it to get it to stay that way.

[Doughboy]

Re: Looking for post on restoring hats

A period "stiffener" is basically a mixture of 50/50 shellac and alcohol....
Best to ask one of the fine hatmakers though for more exact recipes and formulae..
Christopher Wilson