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How to Reshape the Crown on Your Cowboy Hat's Felt

The crown of a felt cowboy hat can become deformed and misshapen if not taken care of properly. These hats can lose their original form if stored wrong or worn in rainy weather for long periods of time. Deformed or misshapen felt cowboy hats can be restored to their original shape using a simple reshaping technique. Steaming the hat will soften the felt and allow it to become pliable. Once the shape of the crown is reestablished, it can be set using hat stiffening spray.

Things You'll Need

Large pot
Water
Hat stand or wig head
Hat stiffening spray
Soft brush

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a large pot 2/3 full with water. Place the pot on a stove burner set to medium-high heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil to produce steam.
- 2
  Wash your hands before handling the felt cowboy hat to avoid causing smudges or stains. Hold the crown of the felt hat over the pot of boiling water in the steam. Remove the hat from the steam once it is lightly coated and has softened.
- 3
  Place the hat on a hat stand or wig head. Press the hat down onto the stand or wig head to round out the top of the crown. Lift the hat back up to create space in the top of the hat. Use your fingers to mold the hat's crown, recreating the original creases in the hat.
- 4
  Spray the surface of the hat with a hat stiffening spray. Move the bottle around the crown as you are spraying, to evenly coat the hat's surface. Let the hat sit for 30 seconds and use a soft brush to wipe any excess spray that has beaded on its surface.
- 5
  Let the hat sit for 2 to 3 hours to allow the spray to dry completely. Do not move or wear your hat until it has had a chance to dry.

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