Flat Cap Emergency

[TheBrus]

Yes, it's true, this is an emergency! I purchased a tartan flat cap from Celtic Croft about two years ago, and worn it with great pride. It has a Lochcarron label inside, so I'm assuming that they at least made the cloth it was constructed from. This is not one of those one-size-fits-all caps with elastic, it's got a size in it. The peak of the cap, I thought, was sewn to the bill. When I took the cap to the cleaners for a good sprucing up, it came back with the peak detached. I am left feeling as abused as my cap. Questions: if it wasn't sewn, how did they stick the peak to the bill? How can I fix it (professionally, if necessary)? and did the cleaners do something they shouldn't have?

Please, only serious answers here... I've come to you with hat in hand, so-to-speak.

The Brus

[robthehiker]

Pics?

[rondo]

It may have been glued or attached with a fusible material like Stitch Witchery. Perhaps a call to Celtic Croft might be in order? Failing that, I think I'd try to find someone to blind stitch it back into place.

Rondo

[Burly Brute]

I like the "calling the celtic croft" idea. I would also let the cleaners know that they obviously returned your item in a less desirable condition than you had left with them, and that they should be aware of that next time.

[Jock Scot]

I don't know about your particular cap, but many of our better quality tweed caps are designed to lift off the bill part and are held together with a fairly heavy duty popper.

They are designed thus, so that in a strong wind the two are separated so that the rim of the cap can be pulled further down over the head for more security. Yours may not be designed that way, but sewing a popper (female bit on the bill, male bit on the flap above) should, I would have thought, do the trick.

I will try to get some pictures of what I mean later(its 0245Hrs here at the moment) and post them here when I can.

[TheBrus]

Thank you, all. I have seen "poppers" or "snaps" used on flat caps. I never knew the function of this, but that does make sense, Jock. I'm also going to want to find someone to press the cap back into a flat condition, because these jokers stuffed it with tissue paper and steamed it. I'm just lucky it still fits!

Lesson learned on this particular dry-cleaner--they don't get my kilt business.

[Jock Scot]

Thank you, all. I have seen "poppers" or "snaps" used on flat caps. I never knew the function of this, but that does make sense, Jock. I'm also going to want to find someone to press the cap back into a flat condition, because these jokers stuffed it with tissue paper and steamed it. I'm just lucky it still fits!

Lesson learned on this particular dry-cleaner--they don't get my kilt business.

Moral of the story is wear your cap to destruction without even thinking of getting it cleaned and then buy another one. The whole process takes a minimum of 15 years!

I have never heard of anyone getting their cap dry cleaned before!

[vmac3205]

I thought the purpose of the snaps on the bill was so that the old fashioned driving glasses (with the strap) could get put above the bill when not in use. Just goes to show what I don't know.

[Standard]

Is the bill still attached to the cap body? Is the bill now simply not attached to the front of the bill (the point of the bill furthest from your forehead)? If the latter is the problem then I too would suggest a simple snap be sewn into place. If the bill has truely been completely detached from the body of the cap, then I have nothing to offer.

[Jock Scot]

I thought the purpose of the snaps on the bill was so that the old fashioned driving glasses (with the strap) could get put above the bill when not in use. Just goes to show what I don't know.

That too, I think, but the wind in those open cars in the "olden days" did have a habbit of whipping one's cap off! So I am told, anyway.