Making a Hat Band

[Rockrz]

Wasn't sure which forum to put these question in....

I'm wanting to make my own hat band similar to the Donnie Van Zant hat band (see pic below), and I've already ordered some 1 1/4 inch Silver Slotted Star Conchos, and a black Buffalo Hide Leather belt that is 1 1/4 inches wide  (see attachments for pics)

All I still need is some leather that is flat black that's fits in to the slots on the conchos and some leather working tools to be able to punch a rectangular hole in the leather belt I'll be using.

I'll just run the thin leather strap thru each concho thru the holes in the belt where it will run on the back side of the belt all the way around where I'll have to figure out a way to fasten the back where the two ends come together.

Questions...

1) Where can I find a tool that is rectangular shaped once I find the exact size I'll be needing (I'll know once I measure the slots)

2) I was thinking of somehow tying the thin strap that will be routed thru as slotted concho where it all comes together in the back of the hat... so what are some ideas on how to do that?

One of the attachments to this message is a pic of the hat band I'm wanting to re-create since I cannot find anywhere that this can be purchased by itself without also buying the hat too which is pretty expensive

[fredk]

For punching the slots in the leather buy a rectangular hole punch of the appropriate size.

They are easily available

Your chosen belt size might be too narrow for the conchos

Edited Monday at 05:44 PM by fredk

[Rockrz]

13 minutes ago, fredk said:

Your chosen belt size might be too narrow for the conchos

Yeah, I was looking at the pic of this guy's hat band and noticed it was slightly wider than the concho so I may need to revisit that part of the project.  I could use some one inch conchos rather than the 1 1 /4

I was thinking of buying a black belt that has a seam sown in on the edges hopefully with black thread.

Any recommendations for a good place online to buy tools?

Edited Monday at 05:56 PM by Rockrz

[fredk]

51 minutes ago, Rockrz said:

Any recommendations for a good place online to buy tools?

I can't advise as I don't know where in the world you're located. This is a world-wide forum

1" conchos on a 1 1/4 will be big enuf

[Rockrz]

I'm in the US and would rather order from a vendor within the US as it's easier to do returns if need bee with US vendors verses international vendors.

[fredk]

Some of the US members will be along soon and they can best advise where to get oval punches

[Rockrz]

OK, thanks.

Just thought I'd ask since I'd imagine some vendors are better than others

[AlZilla]

Assuming you want the band permanently attached to the hat ...

How you attach the concho strap kind of depends on how it all comes together in the back. Some options are to use Chicago screws or hand sew.

Is it going to join between conchos, or under one of them? 

You could butt the ends of the band and use an X stitch or a corset stitch. You could skive the ends to a taper and overlap them.

Maybe all the parts could join at center/back between conchos, everything could butt together and use about 3 rivets on each side of the joint to join it to the hat.

It you want it removable, I would skive the ends of everything to a taper, glue and sew them.

You could look at how bullet loops are made on gun belts for how those conchos might attach.

[chuck123wapati]

we could use a pic of the back of the hat band ends on the left of the head with some sort of embellishment, I don't see that so that's missing info on your project.

 on cutting the slots get a round punch the width of the intended slot and punch two holes that match the width of your concho strap then cut across with a knife creating the slot. Slot punches are pricey for one project when a cheap round punch and exacto knife aren't. One slot per concho the concho strap goes through the leather main strap then around the concho bar then back through the same slot under the main strap to the next concho. it could then be ended in the back with a bleed knot.

[fredk]

I assumed the OP was intending to use a buckled belt as that was what he showed

For information; these are some of the closures I've used;

On a concho ed repurposed belt; a buckle with a large keeper

Lacing, which went through the antler tips to hold them on, then criss-crossed. Enuf lacing so the band can fit on a larger hat

This one uses elastic cord glued to the band. Enuf elasticity to expand to fit a larger hat

 

 

[Gezzer]

I would round the ends of the main strap , then bleed knot the concho strap about 3 times and leave a short tail hanging .