How to Reshape a Straw Cowboy Hat

Reshape your straw cowboy hat with steam.

The way a straw cowboy hat is shaped can change a person's appearance. Some shapes look better than others on certain people. You can curl or flatten the brim according to your preference. Whether you want to change the shape of a used straw hat you acquired or you want to reshape your own straw cowboy hat, you can do so in your kitchen with steam from boiling water.

Things You'll Need

• Pot or kettle
• Oven mitts
• Hat rack or hook

Instructions

1. 

   Use the steam from a kettle to shape your hat.

   Fill a kettle or a pot with water and place it on the stove to boil.

2. Put on a pair of clean oven mitts to protect your hands from the steam. Hold the hat by its brim or crown and move it slowly back and forth through the steam produced by the boiling water.

3. Shape the hat with your hands by curling up or flattening the brim or straightening out the crown. Continue molding the hat into the desired shape until it holds it without your assistance.

4. 

   Hang up your hat to dry after steaming.

   Hang the hat on a hat rack or a hook to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use hair dryers, electric space heaters or direct sunlight to dry the hat. All of these may damage the hat.

References

• Hats in the Belfry: How to Clean a Hat
• Hartford York Hats: How to Restore Your Favorite Straw Hat