If you have a rounder face, the edges should not be folded up far.
Cutting or reigning competitions are less strict concerning hat shape, and competitors often have a flatter brim.
Steamed wool felt acquires a lumpy, uneven appearance.
Always steam the brim with the crown-side of the brim facing the steam. Never steam the hat brim from the underside, as you’ll risk permanently damaging the leather sweatband. Steam (and excess heat and moisture in general) will cause it to distort, pucker, and shrink. If you damage the interior of the hat’s brim, you’d need to pay a professional hat maker to remove and replace the sweatband.
Wear latex or vinyl gloves when shaping a light colored felt cowboy hat to avoid soiling it with skin oils. [7] X Research source
Felt hat stiffening spray is available at Western supply stores or online.
You won’t be able to shape a pre-shaped straw hat made without a wire, as the methods used for other materials will damage the straw.
The shaping wire is made to be reshaped more than once, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks.
More complicated reshaping or re-blocking of a damaged crown should be done by a hat maker.
The container should be larger enough to contain your entire submerged hat. Try using your bathtub or a large basin, if you have one in your kitchen.
If you’ve had this palm leaf hat for months and it has started to lose its shape, you can use these steps to reshape the hat to the form you prefer.
Repeat the reshaping and drying process as needed after you wear your palm leaf cowboy hat in the rain.
