How to Shape a Western Hat
The shape of a cowboy's hat says a lot about his personality. Unfortunately, the wear and tear associated with regular use leaves many hats bent or flimsy. To regain the look of a new hat, old hats can be reshaped using some simple tools and a little bit of know-how. Reshaping a hat can can be done from home, costs very little and can give an old hat a revived look. New hats often come unshaped and will need the crown and the brim shaped. These same steps can be followed to make over a hat that's been gently used. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Shape the Crown
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1
Clean the hat thoroughly with a hat sponge to remove all dust. These can be purchased at any western store.
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2
Spray the hat completely with hat stiffening spray. Lightly steam the hat to allow the stiffener to soak in. As the spray begins to jell, brush the excess off the hat. This keeps the stiffener from solidifying, creating a grayish coat on the hat.
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3
Hold the hat over the steamer until the felt becomes soft and pliable. Bend the crown until you achieve the desired look. For a classic cattleman's crown, make a slight crease down the middle of the crown from front to back. Then make a small indentation on each side of the crease.
Shape the Brim
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4
Hold the hat over the steamer until the felt becomes soft again. When the hat feels pliable, bend the brim into the shape you desire.
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5
To execute a rolled brim, which is the classic brim style, hold the hat with the front in one hand and the back in the other. Place your thumbs two to three inches from the edge of the brim, and use your fingers to roll the edge toward the crown.
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For a more dramatic crease in the brim, place your thumbs where you want the crease to be. Then press the bottom of the brim against your stomach or chest and pull towards you. Keep your thumbs on the spot where you want the crease to be, and use your fingers to flatten the edge of the brim. This will create a sharper crease.
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Tips & Warnings
When shaping the hat, be sure to get the crease or roll the same distance from the brim on each side of the hat. This will keep the hat balanced with the face.
