How to "take in" a hat? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to "take in" a hat?

Maya

Veteran

I have been dying for a structured cloche but have not hit the jackpot quite yet. While they always look adorable (if I do say so myself), they are always too big. I think I have an abnormally small skull or something. Anyway, I found a REALLY cute one at Urban Outfitters for only $10 and although it doesn't fit quite perfectly, I'm hoping I can make it work somehow. Who does hat alterations? If I could just add a little strip of felt, or something else, around the brim it would fit perfectly! But I'm afraid to do it myself. I don't know how to sew so it would have to be glue, and I don't want to ruin it. It looks great but I'm afraid one gust of wind will blow it clear off my head.

Rather unclear pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2305.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2304.jpg

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Christie

I don't know how to alter it, but it looks so pretty on you!

Lena

I don't have any practical advice, just wanted to jump in and say that we almost became hat twins! I tried that same hat in purple, and while I have a pretty big head, it was too big even for me. I hope there's a way to make it fit, it looks terrific on you, Maya

Ele

(website)

Maya, I think your idea of a strip of felt is spot on- try getting your hands on a piece of thickish felt and cutting it into a long 1" strip. How thick is felt of the hat? You'll need to glue it on with something, but you don't want it coming through to the right side- luckily, felt doesn't absorb well so it will probably be okay. I think you're after a thickish gel glue that dries quickly- a glue gun would be a ideal, if you've got one. Don't use a long thick line of it, just little dots an inch or so apart, and put the glue on the strip, not the hat. That's how I'd do it.

Oh, and I LOVE the hat on you!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Maya- does it have a fabric hat band inside the brim? If it does, you can add bulk under it without attaching it. Just fold up some paper towels and place them between the hat and the band fabric. Is it wool? Another option if the hat is wool and you get a wool felt, is to needle felt it together. That would save you from having to glue it. If neither of those work, you can ask a tailor if they have advice. I'd be afraid to glue it.

Queen Mum

Veteran

we had to outfit a bunch of jr high kids for "Guys and Dolls" last year, and we did the felt inside the band trick to keep the hats on the boys. You should be able to tack the felt inside the band easily enough- you can thread a needle can't you? (I don't mean that as a sarcastic statement at all, really...) but just whip a few stitches in a few spots and you should be fine.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Ask Audi! She might have some suggestions for you:
http://geekthreads.blogspot.com/
She's a hat maker.

Louise

Veteran

Maya what a fantastic hat. Urban outfitters have got some fab sale deals i've ordered a bowler type hat so i'll be watching the altering of yours in case its' a general UO problem x

JennyK (NC)

Maya - I think we're secret twins, except I'm really tall. Hehehe! I also have a tiny, tiny head. I have like a child-sized head. I am a pinhead and I hate the way it looks in pictures. I am this big tall woman - not petite in any way at all - and I have this itty-bitty head.

I feel your hat pain! I'm not much of a hat wearer, but I have had some success shopping for hats made for girl children. I have also had some success with attaching various and assorted things inside. The best method I used was to hot glue-gun strips of foam inside. It gripped my head and was not uncomfortable. You can find it in various thicknesses at fabric shops and probably craft stores.

Maya

Veteran

Louise, it's just a hat problem for me. All hats are too big on me. They are made for 23" heads and mine is probably more like 21" or 22". Sometimes I luck out and find one that comes reasonably close.

Jenny, I would not know you have a petite head from your pictures! Glad I'm not the only one though. I feel like a freak trying all those hats and finding not a single one that fits.

Audi was kind enough to offer me some "reducing tape" which I can put inside to make it smaller. Woohoo.

Kari

Veteran

I'm glad you asked Audi - that was my first thought when I saw you were discussing hat alterations. The hat is adorable, Maya! UO has had quite a great hat collection during the past year.

bella

(website)

Veteran

That's awesome! I'm glad it worked out.

shana

Veteran

Maya, I don't have any suggestions but I just wanted to say that the hat is adorable! What a great buy! I love hats and have a few but always feel a little goofy wearing them for some reason. Like I'm posing at being a fashionista or something while I'm just a suburban SAHM. Anyway, I have the opposite problem - most cute hats seem too big for me!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Maya I'm glad you are sorted on this one - the hat looks great!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Adorable hat!

I was going to suggest what Bella did - ask Audi.