A tough hat

[Stareena]

So my beau and I are getting into living history CW style and he has come to me about adhereing his Medical service patch on his hat. The hat is felt, but very thick and dense. I'm not sure of the style and I THINK it is fur felt (I knwo I''m a lot of help). He would like me to sew it, and I am seeing my fingers being ripped up in doing so. Is there a way to adhere the patch to the hat without loosing a finger in the process?

Als I have braids to add to his hat. Same problem.

I really would like to keep it as close to authentic as possible (meaning nylon thread is okay by me) but I am keeping the glue gun as a last option.

Any suggestions of punching through the felt or adhering it with some super secrect CW method?

Any help would be appreciated.

[johan_steele]

Is he portraying an officer? If not why does he need the patch? IMO when it comes to a military impression less is truly more. As to the braid... IMO, leave it off.

[blue_zouave]

Stareena, you can use a tapestry needle to punch guide holes through the felt. I also have a handy thing that looks like a screwdriver, but it has a pointed tip instead of a blade. I use it to punch holes in anything too heavy to sew through. If the patch has a felt backing, you can stitch through this backing and through the holes you punched in the hat.

What's he portraying, steward or surgeon?

I've done medical reenacting for years, always glad to see someone who shares my interest.

Zou

[Stareena]

I'm not sure what he is doing with it, but was told that the level of his medical person was a lower level officer. Pictures he has seen have these medical people (not sure what they are) wearing hats with braids. The patch has a smooth matreial on it. Not felt. Mores like a rippled ribbon.