Members Keith J Posted April 1, 2015 Members Report Posted April 1, 2015 Gents:I'm having a problem with a "mountain man" type hat design. I've worked leather, but nothing with fur and never a hat. Here's the rub: I've got two craft grade badger hides...not the best quality, but what I can afford. I want to turn them into a hat. I'm worried that after I cut and sew that it won't turn out how I'd like it to. I know I could just cut a strip and sew a circle on top but that's what I'm worried about. I don't want it to turn out looking like one of my mom's old pill box hats and think that's what it would like. I've got that more rounded look in mind but can't for the life of me come up with a way to achieve it. Any...and I do mean any...suggestions would be useful. I've been sitting on this project for a while since I don't want to mess the hides up...but it is time to start cutting. Just not sure how. Help. Keith J. Quote
Members billybopp Posted April 1, 2015 Members Report Posted April 1, 2015 It might be helpful to find some pics of what you want to achieve and post them on here. It would be much easier to help you then. Bill Quote
Members Grey Drakkon Posted April 1, 2015 Members Report Posted April 1, 2015 I'd get one of those foam mannequin heads from a craft store and experiment with fabric laid out on it first, that way you can roughly see how it will shape up. Quote "Everyone with telekinesis, raise my hand!" -Repairman Jack
electrathon Posted April 1, 2015 Report Posted April 1, 2015 I'd get one of those foam mannequin heads from a craft store and experiment with fabric laid out on it first, that way you can roughly see how it will shape up. This is a good idea but be aware that they are smaller than most real heads. Quote
Members Keith J Posted April 2, 2015 Author Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 DUH...Yeah, I guess if you're describing something a picture would be the most useful thing. Pardon my inability to think...which is probably why I'm having this problem in the first place. I realize mine woun't be this nice, but something similar would be good. My compliments to the fellow that did this one, outstanding. Quote
Members camano ridge Posted April 2, 2015 Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) If you do a search (google) for Mountain Man hat pattern you will find several helpful sites. The possibles shop has some patterns run a bout $8.00 that might be helpful. http://possibleshop.com/pattern-acc-ev.html There is an indestructible and several other sites that give information on making a mountain man hat from different furs. I have not looked yet but you might check Crazy Crow they may have patterns for fur hats also. Here is a video on making a coon skin hat that may be helpful. http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoafJqXM.html If you do a search on you tube you will find some others that may be of help. Here is a pattern pack from Crazy Crow the pack has several options for style of hat. http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CCTP&Product_Code=4799-500-012&Category_Code=610-000-000 Edited April 2, 2015 by camano ridge Quote https://www.facebook.com/CamanoRidgeCustomLeather?fref=ts
Members Keith J Posted April 2, 2015 Author Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 I've checked the web and gotten some great pics of other hats. I do own at least one of the patterns mentioned, and it's just what I'm not looking for (strip of hide with a cricle sewn on top). Likewise I've seen the video and it describes pretty much the same method. I think my problem is going to be the hides themselves. Because I don't have a couple of hundred bucks invested in the hides, they aren't top quality. The fur isn't as full as on most hats that I've seen. I think the "bushiness" of the fur might be what gives a simple "strip and circle" type construction its fullness. Giving it a more rounded look as opposed to that sort of bellhop look I'm worried I might get. On the other hand, some of the hats seem to have an actual different configuration in the way they look. For instance, the one I posted seems a bit higher in the front, so I assume (never good to do) that it is cut different. I just can't seem to get a grip on the actual shape of the hide(s) as they are cut and placed together. I'm starting to think I might just go with the simplest thing (strip and cricle) and see what happens. Just hate to waste the hides if it turns out looking really bad. Suppose I could use the pieces for accents on bags if that happens. Quote
Members Jim Posted April 2, 2015 Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 Camano is speaking of the Free Tapper hat pattern. It's a good and have used it myself. The photo you posted is that type of hat. The one I mention in my PM is different but typical of the mountain man. Jim Quote Never forget where you are, so you will always remember where you've been.
Members camano ridge Posted April 2, 2015 Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 Here is another style of trapper hat. it basically made with for arched triangles. You can add on ear flaps and even a fold up bill. They can be made of all fur or suede and fur. some of the originals were lined with material, with the fur sew on to the material. http://explore-build-do.blogspot.com/2012/10/sewing-beaver-fox-and-lynx-alaskan.html Quote https://www.facebook.com/CamanoRidgeCustomLeather?fref=ts
Members Jim Posted April 2, 2015 Members Report Posted April 2, 2015 Ah, found a photo. This is the style I was talking about in the PM. If your interested, I'll dig out the drawings I have and add some text and post it for you. Yeah, that's me back when I was younger and had all my hair. Jim Quote Never forget where you are, so you will always remember where you've been.
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