How do you make a custom cowboy hat? Learn how custom cowboy hats are made. One of the most notable pieces of clothing in Western American history would have to be the cowboy hat. The cowboy hat has long...
One of the most notable pieces of clothing in Western American history would have to be the cowboy hat. The cowboy hat has long symbolized the tough and rugged outdoorsmen that helped to pioneer our country many years ago. Today, many consumers keep the long and rich tradition of the cowboy hat alive by making it a part of their everyday wardrobe.
Of all the cowboy hats that are available to consumers, none is more valuable than the custom cowboy hat. Having a custom cowboy hat clearly distinguishes the cowboy wannabes from the aficionados. Joella Torres is a third generation hat maker. Currently, she is the president of Manny Grammages Texas Hatters, which specializes in making custom cowboy hats. Torres said that although the methods of making a custom cowboy hat have changed over the years, the same care and dedication is always put into each custom cowboy hat that is made.
"Our methods today are a little more modern than they were, but very similar," Torres said. "We use steam to soften the belt, then tie it onto the block and iron it. We use a sander with fine sandpaper to shave the excess hair off. And we have to shave the excess hair off because they come to us looking like a shaggy dog."
"Then we do basically the same thing to the brim - cut it to size, and then the rest has to do with filling," she added. "We primarily hand sew everything. The only thing we use the machine for anymore is what's called a binding. The binding is the ribbon that goes around the edge of the brim. All of the leather sweat bands are cut and sewn in by hand."
One of the most important details a consumer should know when getting a custom cowboy hat made is that measurements are required. Torres said that the custom cowboy hat maker will be able to do a much better job once the head and face has been properly measured.
"After we have the measurements, the color, and the style that the customer wants, we have a huge variety of wooden blocks that vary in height, circumference, and taper," she said. "We choose the one that best fits the style and size of the customer's head."
Custom cowboy hats can be expensive according to Torres. But based on the durability that the customer will receive on a product that can be made in just hours, Torres said that the quality custom-made cowboy hat is a very good purchase.
"They can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years," she said. "It has to do with the quality of the material and how it was taken care of by the individual who owned it. We actually have some customers bring hats that their grandfathers bought from my grandfather. Some are more than 40 years old."
"The least expensive custom felt hat we make is $250," she added. "We only make three varieties of felt hats. The 100% beaver is $450."
"None of our hats take a long time to make either," she said. "If we put a hat straight through the line while everyone is working, we can do one in about two hours. If just one person is making it though, it can take all day. We usually tell our customers that the wait time is one week."
