How to fix a broken Panama hat
TIPS AND TRICKS TO HEAL YOUR INJURED HAT
It's heartbreaking, but there are a lot of things you can do to fix a broken Panama hat. Most problems come about because the hat has become dry and brittle - then it gets crushed or pinched. Sometimes they fall down the back of your cupboard in winter, your dog eats it (which seems to happen a lot), or you leave it in your car and it gets cooked in the sun. Some people like their hats all worn out, wearing the adventures that you have had on your head.
I was shooting a music video in Hawaii with a friend, driving around Waikiki in our little Nash convertible. Suddenly her hat flew off onto the motorway and got run over by several cars. She gingerly scooped it back up, dusted it off and it popped straight back into shape, and we continued the video. Her hat was moist and soft, so it just bounced back into shape.
The best way to prevent all these problems is to care for your hat correctly. If you follow these simple tips, everything will work out much better. Much of the time, all you need is to do a bit of maintenance and Reshape your hat with steam. It's not hard to do, and it is a skill worth learning - much like ironing a shirt, once you have done it a few times it is easy.
How to shape the brim on your Panama
Comments on this post (2)
The brim of my Panama unraveled due to trauma (ok, I sat on it). Is there any way to repair it? I was thinking to edge the brim with grosgrain ribbon but I’m afraid to make it worse.
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Truffaux Hatmakers replied:
The best way is to run a sewing machine over it – group all the fibres together then bind them all together with thread – do it a few times with an invisible thread or matching. Find a seamstress – they will do it easy if it is difficult While they are doing it – get them to sew the edge of the whole hat – if it has frayed once, it will happen again – it is the curse of natural edged hats – I avoid them
Good luck
Warm Regards
Oska Truffaux
<https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> 
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Truffaux Hatmakers replied:
The best way is to run a sewing machine over it – group all the fibres together then bind them all together with thread – do it a few times with an invisible thread or matching. Find a seamstress – they will do it easy if it is difficult While they are doing it – get them to sew the edge of the whole hat – if it has frayed once, it will happen again – it is the curse of natural edged hats – I avoid them
Good luck
Warm Regards
Oska Truffaux
<https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> 
— Veronica
Hi my hubbys Genuine Palma hat has ripped at the point at front how can I repair it TIA Brid
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Truffaux Hatmakers replied:
Could you send me a photo and I will see what can be done
Warm Regards
Oska Truffaux
<https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy> <https://www.truffaux.com/blogs/panama-hat-advice/ask-the-panama-hat-guy>— Brid Rutledge