Shaping your hat!
How to Shape Your Felt and Suede Cowboy Hats at Home
Cowboy hats are iconic symbols of the Wild West, but they’re also incredibly practical and stylish accessories. Whether you’ve recently purchased a new cowboy hat or are looking to restore an old one, shaping it to fit your personal style is a simple task that you can do at home. Here’s how you can shape both felt and suede cowboy hats with ease.
Materials You’ll Need:
Steamer or boiling water
Hat shaping tool (optional, but helpful)
Soft cloth or towel
Hairdryer (for setting the shape)
Hat stand or a soft surface like a pillow or cushion
Step 1: Steaming Your Cowboy Hat
Before you shape your hat, you’ll need to soften the fabric. This is where the magic happens!
For Felt Hats:
Felt is made from natural fibers like wool, and it responds well to heat and moisture. Here’s how to start:
Boil Water or Use a Steamer: If you have a steamer, simply steam the crown and brim of your hat for about 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, you can hold your hat over a pot of boiling water, but be careful not to get it too wet.
Picture Idea: Show a close-up of a felt hat being steamed with a steaming kettle nearby, demonstrating how the steam is applied to the hat.
For Suede Hats:
Suede is more delicate, so avoid using direct boiling water. Instead, use a steamer at a low setting or hold the hat about 6 inches away from the steam. Keep the suede dry and avoid excessive moisture.
Step 2: Shaping the Hat
Once your hat is softened, it’s time to shape it.
For Felt Hats:
Shape the Crown: Using your hands, gently press the crown of the hat. You can push in from the sides to create a more pronounced crease, or mold it into a round shape, depending on your preference.
Shape the Brim: If you want to curl the brim, you can either roll it up slightly or create a more dramatic curl. Hold the brim in place as it cools.
For Suede Hats:
Suede tends to hold its shape better than felt, but you can still give it a subtle curve. Work slowly with your hands to form the desired shape, making sure to keep it balanced and even.
Step 3: Setting the Shape
After shaping, it’s important to set the hat’s new form. Here are a few ways to do that:
Let It Cool: Place the hat on a flat surface or a hat stand and allow it to cool completely. If it’s a felt hat, the fibers will set and hold the shape.
Use a Hairdryer: For extra hold, use a hairdryer on the "cool" setting to help set the shape. Gently run the air over the areas you’ve shaped to make sure it stays in place.
Use a setting spray: For extra security and hold, I would recommend using a fabric setting spray. Follow the manufacture’s instructions so not to damage your hat.
Step 4: Final Touches
Now that your hat is shaped, it’s time to add any finishing touches. Whether it’s adding a ribbon or adjusting the brim slightly, take a step back and look at your hat. If you need to tweak any part of it, simply re-steam and reshape.
Conclusion
Shaping your felt or suede cowboy hat at home is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Whether you prefer a classic style with a smooth crown or a more dramatic look with curled brims, your cowboy hat will be custom-fitted to you in no time. So go ahead, add your personal touch and wear your hat with pride!
If you’re still unsure, or would rather have a professional do this for you, we offer a re-shaping service on our Treatment Page.