1952—How to Make Hats
by Ruby Carnahan

Cleaning and Remodeling Methods

CLEANING AND REMODELING FELTS

Light colored felts can be washed. Use white soap flakes and lukewarm water. Rinse felts in lukewarm water, and reblock while wet. Remove ribbon crown bands, headsize ribbons and wire around brims before washing felts. Separate crowns and brims before reblocking felts. If felts have been stitched on machine around crown or brims, cut crowns from brims on machine stitching. Many felts will tear on perforations made by machine stitching when being reblocked. Reblock old felts using the same methods as are used to block new felts. When felt is dry apply a thin coat of felt sizing and let felt remain on block until sizing is dry. Rewire brim edge, sew crown and brim together and finish headsize with a swirled ribbon headband.

Dark colored fur felts can be washed also, usually a tissue paper pad and cleaning fluid rubbed over felt is all that is required.

The felt can then be wrapped in a damp cloth for several hours before re-blocking.

Remove ribbon bands and wires before cleaning and proceed the same as for felt that has been washed.

To freshen felts, place hat on block and brush felt while holding over steam. Let hat dry on block.

To remove spots from light colored felts, rub No. 0000 sandpaper over spot on felt lightly, being careful not to rub too hard.

CLEANING HAT TRIMMINGS

To clean ostrich feathers, dip feather in naphtha or cleaning fluid, then hold feather over steam to fluff flues. To re-curl ostrich feathers use the back of scissors or some dull instrument, carefully pulling instrument over each flue, just as you would curl the ends of ribbon on a gift package. Do this gently as feather flues break very easily.

To clean wings and other fancy feathers, wipe them off with a cloth dipped in cleaning fluid. Glue any loose feathers. Flowers ran be steamed after wiping off with cleaning fluid and re-gluing any loose petals.

Veils should be smoothed, pressed and coated with fabric sizing or pressed between sheets of waxed paper, then rolled on a paper roll when not in use.