leather hat

[AlZilla]

3 hours ago, dikman said:

AlZilla, that "curling" of the brim gives it a used rustic look. Some people pay good money to get a hat that already looks used.

I look rustic and used, too ...

[AlZilla]

12 hours ago, stampingdelight said:

hat did you find worked best to help keep the water from changing shape of the leather?

Missed this part. I kept forming the hat into the shape I wanted as it dried . Just kept coming back to it. Once it was dried, it stiffened up and has held it's shape, except for that pesky brim. I hit the inside with Leather N Rich, too.

[Northmount]

On 4/23/2024 at 5:22 PM, stampingdelight said:

not sure where black came from or if can get out now.

It is the reaction between iron and tannin, same as used to make vinegaroon if you would like to look that up.

Keep all iron filings off your work space!

You may be able to bleach it out using oxalic acid (teaspoon full in a pint of water) or wood bleach, or barkeeps friend (which all contain oxalic acid.  Rinse after to reduce the acid left in the leather.

[stampingdelight]

40 minutes ago, Northmount said:

It is the reaction between iron and tannin, same as used to make vinegaroon if you would like to look that up.

Keep all iron filings off your work space!

You may be able to bleach it out using oxalic acid (teaspoon full in a pint of water) or wood bleach, or barkeeps friend (which all contain oxalic acid.  Rinse after to reduce the acid left in the leather.

k did not even know had iron on my work space. will looking into the bleaching have to look to see what item is in store 

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

Missed this part. I kept forming the hat into the shape I wanted as it dried . Just kept coming back to it. Once it was dried, it stiffened up and has held it's shape, except for that pesky brim. I hit the inside with Leather N Rich, too.

thanks & you did just the brim on the inside or underside with the leather n rich 

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

I'm thinking verdigris might be a problem with copper.   I've got a half hearted eye out for stainless wire.

Copper for sure will get verdigris if it keeps getting wet & dry. But I think if a guy or gal used contact adhesive & folded the leather around the copper wire & sewed it it would be somewhat sealed from the elements. 

I think I'm going to try it at some point & see how it fairs out over time. 

Edited April 25, 2024 by DieselTech

[stampingdelight]

8 hours ago, AlZilla said:

By belly, I mean the belly portion of the hide. See how the brim of my hat is a little wavy? It kind of potato chips and curls on me. I think if I had stayed in the upper part of the hide, it wouldn't do that.  If I run into a piece of stainless wire that will take a bend, I might do a binding around the edge with the wire inserted.

As to cleaning, I wouldn't have a clue. Leather n' Rich is marketed as a leather cleaner, which I use it for on things. The hat, I just hit with some antiquing gel, some saddle tan dye and the Leather 'N Rich a couple days later.

k thanks still learning so was not sure if belly could be name used for part of the hat, happy you said is belly part of the hide. did the curling of the brim come more from using the belly or did you do something to give more that look thought might try when do another hat. is binding hard to do on a hat would that be just wrapping it in leather & making the hat have a trim around the edge? thanks again for all the help 

9 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

Copper for sure will get verdigris if it keeps getting wet & dry. But I think if a guy or gal used contact adhesive & folded the leather around the copper wire & sewed it it would be somewhat sealed from the elements. 

I think I'm going to try it at some point & see how it fairs out over time. 

like the idea 

[AlZilla]

25 minutes ago, stampingdelight said:

thanks & you did just the brim on the inside or underside with the leather n rich 

No, I Leather N' Rich everywhere, inside and out.

[AlZilla]

9 minutes ago, stampingdelight said:

k thanks still learning so was not sure if belly could be name used for part of the hat, happy you said is belly part of the hide. did the curling of the brim come more from using the belly or did you do something to give more that look thought might try when do another hat. is binding hard to do on a hat would that be just wrapping it in leather & making the hat have a trim around the edge? thanks again for all the help 

like the idea 

No, all that wavy and curling just happens.  I'd like the sides curled up a bit like you'd expect a cowboy hat to do. But it just has a mind of it's own.

[dikman]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

 But it just has a mind of it's own.

Like its owner?

[TomWilson]

Nice hat! How did you size it for your head? You've inspired me to make one for myself. It'll be after two or three other projects in the queue.