How to Shape the Brim of a Cowboy Hat

Men's cowboy hats tend to get tossed around frequently due to the rough and ready lifestyle of the western male. Sometimes cowboy hats get sat on, stepped on, scrunched and bunched up--is it any wonder that sometimes they need a little help getting back to their correct shape now and again?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kettle of boiling water

1. Fill a kettle full of water and place it on a burner to heat to boiling point. Water must be boiling with steam coming out of the kettle in a steady stream for this method to effectively reshape the brim of a cowboy hat. As always be careful working around boiling water as serious scalds and burns may occur.

2. When a steady stream of steam is being emitted from the kettle, take the cowboy hat and place it on your left fist. Allow steam to penetrate the fibers of the brim of the hat being careful not to scald your hand or arm on the steam stream. As the steam penetrates the fibers, shape the brim to the desired effect with your right hand.

3. As soon as you have one section of the brim shaped to your satisfaction, move the brim towards you and start steaming that section and as the steam penetrates the fibers manipulate the brim to the desired shape. Continue steaming and shaping sections of the brim until you get to your starting point.

4. Set the hat in a cool place to dry for an hour. After this time the cowboy hat will be fresh and ready to wear again.

Tips & Warnings

• Serious burns may occur from accidental contact with steam--never place your hand or arm in the stream of steam

[painthorse42]

on 10/4/2008 Being around the horses & farm, my had gets used often & needs reshaping! Thanks for this tip 5*