How to Shrink a Felt Cowboy Hat
- Sewing method. Measure the ribbon that is inside your felt hat using a measuring tape. Add an inch to the measurements...
- Shrinking method. Place your hat into a lingerie bag or a pillowcase and then zip or tie the bag shut. Set the washing...
- Polar Fleece Lining Method. This method requires you to measure the circumference of your head...
How to stretch or reshape a cowboy hat?
Use a hat stretcher to Stretch Cowboy hat
- Make the cowboy hat wet To make the hat wet, you can spray water lightly around.
- Dry the hat Put the hat on a stretcher to dry it or you could use a full-head stretcher. ...
- Check the hat
How to make a cowboy hat larger?
How to Make a Giant Foam Cowboy Hat
- Measure the head of the person who is to wear the hat.
- Measure a piece of foam that is a half-inch longer than the circumference of the person's head. ...
- Choose a shape for the top of the hat. ...
- Roll the foam piece into a teardrop shape and glue the ends in a half-inch seam.
- Make the lid of the hat once the glue on the top dries. ...
How to make a homemade cowboy hat?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 3 leather strips
- Scissors
- 1 or more conchos
How to adjust the size of a cowboy hat?
What is Hat Sizing Tape?
- Cut a strip of sizing tape at the approximate circumference of the inside of your hat. ...
- To break the process down into parts and make the operation easier, cut the sizing tape strip in half.
- As stated in the first step, it is best practice to insert the foam strip underneath the band in order to: A) disguise that it is there at ...
How do you resize a hat that's too big?
0:552:14How To Resize a Hat That's TOO BIG! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo next you're going to remove the paper backing. And you're going to start sticking the weatherMoreSo next you're going to remove the paper backing. And you're going to start sticking the weather stripping underneath the rim of that. Most hats have this little fabric rim thingy.
Can you adjust a cowboy hat?
After the hat (or portion of the brim) has soaked, pull it out form the basin and shape the brim. Slowly fold the brim until it's bent in the shape you want. If you'd like to change the shape of the hat's crown, you can soak and shape that portion of the hat also.
How can I make my cowboy hat fit better?
0:124:01How To Fit A Cowboy Hat To Your Head - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut if they don't fit right what you want to do is you want to stretch them kind of form them mold.MoreBut if they don't fit right what you want to do is you want to stretch them kind of form them mold. Them kind of like i was as a lad.
How do you adjust the size of a Stetson hat?
3:345:50How to Size Down a Fedora or Stetson Western Hat That is Too BigYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the leather back. Down. Now might look slightly lumpy. Until you wear it. You know after youMoreHold the leather back. Down. Now might look slightly lumpy. Until you wear it. You know after you wear this hat a few times it'll just pack down. Press.
Should a cowboy hat fit tight?
Cowboy hats follow the natural shape of your head, so they should fit firmly on your forehead and the back of your head while feeling a bit looser at the sides. If the hat is too tight, you could wind up getting a headache. If it's too loose, it'll blow off or keep twisting around on your head.
How do you shrink a felt hat?
Place the hat into a pillowcase or lingerie bag. Tie or zip the bag shut.Add a few old towels and the bag containing your felt hat. Allow the machine to agitate until the load is halfway finished, then pull your hat out and check to see if it has shrunk enough. ... Try on the damp hat to see if it fits your head.
How far above the ears should a cowboy hat sit?
about half an inchWhether you're using a measuring tape or the string, you'll want to start one end around the middle of your forehead about half an inch above your ear.
How do you shrink a leather cowboy hat?
1:293:58How to Shape and Stretch an Outback Leather Hat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDay it will shrink no matter what it's going to shrink at least the size sometimes and the sameMoreDay it will shrink no matter what it's going to shrink at least the size sometimes and the same thing will happen if you put it in the cold you leave it overnight in the snowing.
Can you shrink a wool cowboy hat?
Yes, it's true. You can try shrinking your wool hat by wearing it in the shower. The water temperature should be warm or comfortably hot — not only does this spare you from getting scalded, but it also protects the hat from potential structural damage.
What do you do if your cowboy hat is too big?
Perhaps the easiest way to get your hat down to size is using hat tape, also called hat size reducer. Unlike double-sided tape, which could ruin the sweatband by tearing at the material, hat sizing tape only has adhesive on one side with a foam strip on the other.
Can you shrink a straw cowboy hat?
Hold your hat over a pot of boiling water until it is damp and then put it on your head or on a foam head or hat stand in your size until it dries completely. The hat will shrink slightly. Add double-sided sticky foam pads inside the hat between the sweat band and the hat itself.
How do you shrink a leather hat?
If you have a leather item that you need to shrink, the easiest approach is to soak the leather in water, then dry the item in the sun or with a hairdryer. The combination of moisture and heat will tighten up the fibers of the leather, causing it to shrink somewhat.
How to salvage a cowboy hat?
You can salvage an ill-fitting cowboy hat by resizing it; the process takes a little time and patience. Remove the inside hat band with a seam ripper. Slide the tip of the seam ripper under the threads and pull up. Do not to damage the inner lining of the hat. If the inside band is made of leather keep it in place to help the hat hold its new shape.
How to correct hat size?
For hats that only need a slight size correction, use your own head for the shaping. Adjust the size of the hat while it dries by squeezing or stretching the material. The hat slowly conforms to the shape. Allow the hat to fully dry on the form before removing it. If you are using your own head to shape the hat, ...
What is a cowboy hat?
Cowboy hats are both a wonderful fashion accessory and a useful tool for those who work outdoors, providing shade and protection. The true cowboy hat is durable, made of felt, straw or leather, and comes in different designs and styles. Despite its usefulness, if a cowboy hat is the wrong size it will be uncomfortable or even impossible to wear.
How to make a hat more comfortable?
The hat becomes more comfortable as you wear it. Repeat the damping process and allowing the hat to dry until it maintains a proper fit. This may take several applications. Sew the inner liner back into the hat using a needle and thread designed to work with the hat's material.
Can you soak a hat?
Do not soak the hat, as excessive saturation causes damage. Pull the damp hat down over a head form or hat stretcher. Set the hat stretcher to the desired hat size if it is adjustable. If you are using a non-adjustable head form then it needs to be as close to the desired hat size as possible.
What to do if a hat doesn't look funny?
The first thing you should do is be honest with yourself and decide if the hat doesn’t look funny on you. Wearing an oversized hat can be a bit more comical compared to a hat that simply is just too tight on you. But if the hat is just slightly too loose then there are a couple things you can do to get the perfect fit.
Where to put hat strips on head?
For most heads, the optimal position for the strips is at the front and back of the crown. However, for long faces it might be more comfortable to apply the strips to the sides of the crown. Our recommendation would be to wear the hat once with the strips in place without applying the adhesive and noticing your comfort level.
Can you shrink a leather hat?
And you only need to reduce a tiny bit, then a little water and patience can make this happen. Leather will naturally shrink when exposed to water. You can use this to your advantage if you need to reduce your hat’s size.
Can you cut felt for a hat?
Like a temporary reducer strip, you can cut felt or tissue paper to provide a quick size reduction. You will want to switch it out at the end of the night so that the sweat doesn’t stay within your hat.
How to get hats down to size?
Perhaps the easiest way to get your hat down to size is using hat tape, also called hat size reducer. Unlike double-sided tape, which could ruin the sweatband by tearing at the material, hat sizing tape only has adhesive on one side with a foam strip on the other. Most often pre-cut, these hat sizing strips can be purchased online or at most hat shops. You could also check your local hardware store for small strips of foam padding material as an option.
Where to place hat reducer tape?
This could be the front, back, or both sides or all of the above. Make sure to place the hat reducer strips underneath the sweatband (not on top) and try on the hat.
How to make a sweatband hat?
Pick a thread color that matches the sweatband and thread the needle. Sew one edge of the elastic securely to one side of the sweatband. Make a strong knot after sewing to reinforce the thread from getting loose. Repeat this on the other side. Try on the hat to confirm the size is to your liking.
Can a hat pinch your head?
A slightly loose hat is preferable to a headache, but you also don't want the hat to feel like it's going to fall off your head at any moment.
Can a loose hat be a downer?
When your hat is a loose misfit, it can be a real downer. But it doesn't have to be that way. Following these simple steps is all you need to do to make a hat smaller and achieve the perfect fit.
The Easiest Method: Hat Size Reducer Strips
If you need to get your hat size down 1 size or less we recommended purchasing a Hat Size Reducer Strip. These are simply foam strips with an adhesive backing that goes on the side of the hat behind the sweatband. Searching online will reveal a number of options. We recommend using a reducer strip that has denser foam and uses a gentle adhesive.
The DIY Method
If you need to reduce size now for an event or you simply like to fix it yourself you can temporarily fix the size with the use of tissue paper or felt. Like a temporary reducer strip, you can cut felt or tissue paper to provide a quick size reduction.
The Best Method
Nothing beats decades of experience sewing and making hats. The best way to reduce your hat size is to send it to a hat shop for a size reduction.
If Your Hat Has A Leather Hatband
And you only need to reduce a tiny bit, then a little water and patience can make this happen. Leather will naturally shrink when exposed to water. You can use this to your advantage if you need to reduce your hat's size