question on hat making and dyeing help

[stampingdelight]

hello

I am looking to make another hat and before I do wanted to get some tips so asking more questions, for last time I dyed my hat got streaks, from using the daubers. so now I wanted to ask what is a better way of dyeing to avoid streaks and get one solid color? 

should I put dye in a bucket and dip into the dye asking for those that have done it?

what about getting the leather lightly damp where it just turns brown, so does not absorbed as much dye not sure who has done that?

any thread best or can i just at leather thread?

when punching holes for stitching what is best way to keep track of the holes for I normally punch holes I juch cound how many times I do puch with the leather stich tool & want to see if might be better way? 

also for sealing leather seams what is best to use, could I use mink oil or what do you recoment for not sure if should look at even using wax something I have never done so not sure kind of wax to use if would do that.

should I want leather to keep shape any tips should I stich together, wetten lightly & bake the in the oven, ithen dye the leather? f so how long and what temp? any other tips?

also if wet molding some areas what is best way to keep the shape if not on edge of leather like you might do some folding/bends on a leather mask yet keep shape?

anyother tips you can recomend to try let me know please. thanks again to all for your help is nice to get help as one makes things or how to do better. 

Edited 3 hours ago by stampingdelight

[fredk]

I always wet the leather before dyeing, Almost as wet for casing. I find the dye spreads thru the leather better when its wet

For sealing the seams I use stuff called 'Nikwax'

[fredk]

Don't bake a hat in an oven. Thats a sure way of destroying it. You can use the hat from an oven to speed up drying; leave the hat outside the oven with the door open or down, turn the hat frequently so it gets dried evenly