My handmade leather Bush Hat. Any other "Mad Hatters?"

[Handmade Matt]

Hi, I've spent the last few days making my first hat. It's been a great process which I've thoroughly enjoyed.
Are there any other "Mad Hatters?" on here? Feedback would be welcome.

 

[John Fenna]

That looks GOOD!
I have only made Bunnets myself ... see my avatar...

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Not bad at all..............needs a hat band though,
Why the front seam ? was it a question of not having a long enough piece of leather for the crown ?

I make my own leather hats as I'm always looking for THE hat but haven't found it yet. I prefer wired brims as being fickle, some days I want a certain style & others a different one.....I rather like the shape of your brim though.


I think a sweat band (either leather or cotton ) would be better than the silky lining but that's a just my preference..

 

[Everything Mac]

Very nice

 

[mountainm]

Good skills!

 

[red devil]

I love a good hat - and that's a good hat!
Reminds of the hat Kevin Costner wore in that film the other night, Open Range - or at least it will a few years down the line when it's a bit more worn and weathered.
I quite like the front seam, gives it shape, and the brim's spot on too.
Lovely job - looks cool on you.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

The Open Ranch hats..http://baronhats.com/openrange.htm


My favorite movie hats are the one worn by Jason Robards in Once upon a time in the west & the hat worn by Clint in High Plains Drifter........

Indy's Fedora is a cracker too. & theres the one worn by Pierce Brosnan at the begining of Seraphim Falls.....hell ! I could go on all day about hats

 

[Handmade Matt]

Thanks everyone.
As for the fron seam, it's just how I wanted it. I like it.
When I finished the hat it was a bit on the tight side so I didn't want to put leather or canvas in. The recycled silky material was perfect. As time moves on and the hat stretches I might well upgrade it with the canvas band and the linning, then it will be really posh. HaHa

 

[red devil]

The Open Ranch hats..http://baronhats.com/openrange.htm


My favorite movie hats are the one worn by Jason Robards in Once upon a time in the west & the hat worn by Clint in High Plains Drifter........

Indy's Fedora is a cracker too. & theres the one worn by Pierce Brosnan at the begining of Seraphim Falls.....hell ! I could go on all day about hats

Hmmm... so nothing at all like Kevin Costner's Open Range hat, then?!
Fair enough - I did only say it reminded me of it, which it did!
It was just that I only got to watch the movie this morning after Sky-Plussing it.
(Fair cop, guv, I'll go quietly...)

 

[blacktimberwolf]

As time moves on and the hat stretches I might well upgrade it with the canvas band and the linning, then it will be really posh. HaHa

Sorry to cast a dark shadow but in my experience, leather hats tent to shrink rather than stretch....

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Hmmm... so nothing at all like Kevin Costner's Open Range hat, then?!
Fair enough - I did only say it reminded me of it, which it did!
It was just that I only got to watch the movie this morning after Sky-Plussing it.
(Fair cop, guv, I'll go quietly...)

Wasn't trying to prove you wrong dude, Just thought a link would would save people a trip to google I Have to admit, this hat reminds me of a lot of movie hats, from indiana Jones to out of Africa even though it doesn't actually look like any of them

 

[Steve27752]

Blimey, I like your hat. It looks like my Rogue!

 

[Handmade Matt]

Sorry to cast a dark shadow but in my experience, leather hats tent to shrink rather than stretch....

By dampening the head band area with warm water I can always stretch it out again.
Additionally, there's a position I wear it on my head where it's tighter (with the brim slightly down over my eyes) so I'm wearing the hat all day for the next few days occasionally slipping it into this tight position until it's uncomfortable and then placing it back in the normal wearing postion where it feels like the most comfortable hat I've ever worn.
In my mind this will help the hat bed in nicely.
I'm not to worried though because I think a lot of the tightens comes from the wet moulded shape, not the size, if that makes sense?
The leather is very stiff, like cardboard and it will soften with use, this will allow more room in the hat. Do you get me?

 

[red devil]

Wasn't trying to prove you wrong dude, Just thought a link would would save people a trip to google I Have to admit, this hat reminds me of a lot of movie hats, from indiana Jones to out of Africa even though it doesn't actually look like any of them

No worries - thought it was funny
You're right about Indy's hat being cool, BTW - but how the heck did it stay on?
I'm a Tilley man myself.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I'm not to worried though because I think a lot of the tightens comes from the wet moulded shape, not the size, if that makes sense?
The leather is very stiff, like cardboard and it will soften with use, this will allow more room in the hat. Do you get me?

Yep I get you & I hope you're right ........

 

[lonefish]

Love it, want one

 

[colly]

that looks fantastic i feel inspiration and a project coming on.... now if i can get my skill level up i may be able to make something i'll want to wear

 

[Biker]

That's a reallt smart looking hat Matt, and it's nice to put a face to a name too. I've been to your blog and love the stuff you've done in there. The camper van especially. Classy piece of work that. Well done!

Well done on the hat too, looks the biz.

 

[Mesquite]

That is a really good looking hat... not so sure about the person modeling it though

 

[FelixAvery]

nice hat!, do you live in a ger?