From my great uncle, this hat was made in calgary around 100 years ago and it’s done the chilkoot trail, paddled to dawson city, has surely been stomped into cow shit before, etc
Yes my uncle killed that bear with his bare fists
Have you considered changing the size of your head with experimental surgery?
Take it to a western wear store that has a hat section. One of the guys there would probably do it for the story
“So this guy came in and I stretched his hat.”
“I’ve had enough of your innuendos, Bill”
Maybe take it to a pro, I wouldn’t trust myself to do it 😅
Go to your local gun show, rodeo, or any expo/convention/event where rednecks congregate. I guarantee you’ll find a vendor selling hats who is willing to adjust yours for a fee. As others have pointed out, you need a specialized machine and a shitload of steam.
Hat blocking, because they use wooden blocks to shape the hats.
Or on a budget, just wear it into the sauna at your local gym.
Reduce size of head.
I imagine (as in I’m not sure) that if you try to do it yourself you might tear it around the area where it looks like some dirt has soaked in and provided a foothold for mould to grow from. I suspect that area is very fragile rn.
Personally, given it’s age, I would ask for advice from a museum on the best ways to clean and care for it and ask them if it’s possible for it to be reshaped to fit you.
I’m usually the diy sort, sometimes when it’s not even worth it economically just because I enjoy the satisfaction and experience. I admit that I’ve never fit a hat before, but given this one’s history I have to agree with the other commenters: If this hat really is that special to you, take it to a pro. You don’t want the guilt of accidently destroying something that valuable to you and your family.
If you must do this yourself, find some old shitty hats that you don’t give a fuck about to practice on first, and research the hell out of it, learn and experience everything you can before you even touch that hat
How much of a stretch? With steam you might be able to add a few(!) centimeters to the hat size, but no miracles. Overstretching will rip it.
This is a job for professionals with the right equipment, BTW.
I think they use steam but I would take it to a professional.
Take it to Cavender’s or somewhere similar and see if they can stretch it for you. l
Slowly. They make hat stretchers. Probably want to make sure the material is well hydrated. I’d do it carefully over several weeks or months, maybe misting it with some water.
deleted by creator
Steam.
