Remodeling a Straw Hat

[2DogsFarm]

I got a Steal of a Deal on a medium/wide-brimmed straw hat.
Already has some ribbon trim I can live with, but I want to remodel the crown & brim to make it more current/trendy.

I added more ribbon to add color & in doing so upturned one side of the brim < like that effect & am thinking of tacking it in place.
A feather ornament pick also added color & interest.

The crown is rounded & using small binder clips (what I had) seems to be doing the trick.
My intention is to flatten as well as give it an Acey Deucy asymetric look.
I will leave the clips in place for a week or so to see if that remodels the straw.

Also noticed a lot of hats sporting a centered jeweled brooch-type ornament.
Yay or Nay?

Google suggests steaming to make change permanent.
Has anyone done this?
Any other tricks for reshaping?
TIA

[goodhors]

Steaming is how straw western hats get shaped, so it should work for decorative hats too.

Jewels are up to the wearer, hard to judge without seeing how you put it together. I have seen both good and poor uses of jewels on hats.

Sounds like a fun project. My Gramma and Mom both made their own hats in the days you wore one for every outing. They were very creative, hats were beautiful, stylish as fashions changed and certainly one-of-a-kind.

Hope you are taking some photo of start to finish that you can share later.

[2DogsFarm]

No stea![](ing yet, but here is what I have so far:
Before:
[IMG]http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/debby2dogsfarm/HatB4_zpsw6qev1cw.jpg)

During (wood/brass medallion is a trial run, will be re-centered):
[IMG]http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/debby2dogsfarm/HatDuring_zpsogvgddev.jpg)

[cayuse]

Hats are fun. I bought one at goodwill with a short veil for $2.00 and tacked up the side. I hope if I am ever able to drive again it will be my show hat. I have a teeny head so I was happy to find something that fit.
I think I would like your hat with no pin, but that’s just me and I like alot of feathers. I even made sure DH had a fancy feather in his hat when he showed this summer.
Have fun with your hat!

[goodhors]

You may want to sit in front of a fan, see if the brim and trim stays in place with wind in your face. Hat brims can be tricky if not stiff enough or trim that keeps moving all the time, covers your eyes.

[2DogsFarm]

cayuse: I was thinking of adding another feather pick :yes:
I’m a pinhead too - 6-7/8 :ambivalence:
May have to pad the inside band w/foam for size & stickability.
I’ll probably adios the wooden disc for something else or nothing at all.

goodhors: I’ve tested by moving my head around, but the fan is a great idea!

[cayuse]

I’m a 6-7/8 too! I usually have to pad my western hats so they stay on. My head seems to be an odd shape. Helmet shopping was never fun.
I used to love watching Downton Abbey for the hats. And feathers

[2DogsFarm]

[QUOTE=cayuse;8935427]
Helmet shopping was never fun.
I used to love watching Downton Abbey for the hats. And feathers :D[/QUOTE]

I got my hunt caps from the Children’s section.
Just hope I don’t look too like the Dowager in my redone hat :lol:

[Hilary]

Beautiful!! I would add more feathers rather than the pin. I like the green filmy stuff a lot.

If you ever have a sinemay (sp??) hat that gets wonky, they will come back to shape if you carefully place them so gravity helps the brim go where you want it, and if you get a round shaper (looks like a giant tp roll) it can reshape the crown. And I now know to be more careful storing them.

[2DogsFarm]

Hilary: I agree more feathers!
The pin is history, may or may not be replaced…
The filmy green decor is original, just needed help.

In Googling ideas I did come across the sinamay hats < Google spelling for the material.
I think that’s what I’m dealing with & gravity is helping :yes:

[Lusoluv]

You shape or re-shape straw hats by dunking in water. As the hat softens, take it out, shape and let sit. You might have to shape it a couple times while it dries, but not necessarily. All depends on the quality/age of the straw and how radically you’re reshaping it. Just be aware, all straw hats are not created equal. Some cheap hats are actually made of paper strands and glued into place. If your hat says “made in China”, it will be paper. It also looks shiny from the glue coating. I would not recommend trying to reshape one of these. If it’s made in the USA, Mex or Panama, etc. it is probably real straw and can easily be reshaped.

Steaming is for fur felt hats such as cowboy hats, fedoras, bowlers, etc. Do a search on YouTube if you want more info or see it being done.

[Hilary]

If the hat is sinamay do NOT get it wet! It’s basically paper. You can steam it very very carefully but too much water and it will melt.

If the pin is meaningful to you then absolutely keep it. Could it anchor the feathers on the hat? It also looks large enough that it could go on your lapel.

[CFFarm]

file:///C:/Users/Annie/Pictures/derby/hat.JPG

My derby hat. anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

[2DogsFarm]

Thanks, Hilary - I will test a small area to see if the hat is sinamay.

Pin means nothing, I picked it up - along with some dangling brass charms - when I got the feather pick.
I thought it might add interest, but does not seem to be working for me.
I may try your idea of using it to cover the place the feathers attach