How to Shape the Crown of a Cowboy Hat

Add your own signature to a cowboy hat by hand-shaping the crown. Shaping the crown of a cowboy hat isn’t as hard as it looks! With a little bit of patience and practice, you’ll learn how to preserve the look of a genuine cowboy and strike out with your own sense of style.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cowboy hat
• Pot of water
• Stove

1. Bring enough water to a boil on the stove top that you'll have steam to work with.

2. Hold the crown of your hat with both hands on the exterior of the crown as steam rises.

3. Place both of your thumbs flat on the center of the crown. Continue holding the exterior of the crown with your remaining fingers.

4. Keep your thumbs placed flat on the center of the crown and begin to apply pressure, indenting and shaping the center of the crown while working the exterior into shape.

5. Remove hat from the steam and continue shaping the crown of your cowboy hat.

6. Press the hat flat against your body, with the crown facing outwards. Hold the hat with your right hand and shape the left side of the crown with your left hand.

7. Switch hands and begin shaping the right side of the crown with your right hand.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no “right” way of shaping the crown of your cowboy hat; it’s largely a matter of preference. Use the photograph above as a guideline.