Making a Leather Bush Hat, How to

I needed a new hat, and decided I'd use some of my leather skills to make one. Not being able to find a pattern online that didn't cost as much as a new hat would, I decided to design my own and publish it free for anyone who feels the need to do it for themselves. Please tho, don't ask me to send you a copy since there really aren't any. It was all done, pretty much, freehand and if I can do it, anyone can.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to send me a message and I'll respond as soon as I can.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• leather
• leathercraft
• bush hat
• pattern
• bushcraft
• outdoors
• survival

[yeyerrd]

Hello!

First of all, i would like to congratulates you for the amazing work!

Can you tell me how did you make the holes and what is the tool that you used?

I am trying to copy this hat, but i don´t know anything about leather and this stuff. However i have bought the leather and cut it just like your pattern.

Thks!

[antagonizerr]

@yeyerrd Tandy sells 4 and 5 bladed chisels for $10. You basically use a mallet to punch your stitching holes in the leather, but don't use a a lacing punch. It may seem easier to stitch than the chisel, but would end up being leaky. Remember to count your holes, otherwise you could end up with a lopsided hat.

[starfiremale]

Can you tell me how to stretch my leather bush-hat?? ANYONE!!

[antagonizerr]

@starfiremale Water, lots of water. Veg tanned leather will stretch about 20% with some work. I keep a few different sized river stones to use as, sort of, pre-forms/burnishing stones.

[PreacherPrepper]

Excellent work friend.

[sbjennings99]

Cool Informational Video!!!

[rbrooke2379]

I've just found a new hobby.

[rbrooke2379]

fantastic!

[Proaconstructor]

Could you kindly list the various dimensions. I couldn't get the numbers clear on my system. Perhaps in order, the two dimensions for the brim, then the hole in the donut, then the top piece. Should be obvious where the dimensions go from that.

Thanks.

[yeyerrd]

Thanks for the advices, but the hat is already done. I did quickly because i would be using it in an event that is tomorrow, so i bought the leather, punched the holes with a hammer and a picker,and did almost everything that you said. I am from Brazil, and i couldn´t buy the light brown dye, so i bought a dark brown, i will show the final look for you. Ah, yeah and I didn´t count the holes >.< however it was good, not a professional work but attended me. Next one i will do with more caution! xD

[antagonizerr]

@freshpro912 Trial and error. If you ain't breaking, you ain't making.