Help making Homespun Kepi's more Authentic

[SethJ]

Looks good. I would just note that the double thickness of cloth on the band is unnecessary... where you have the seam.

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On originals there is a strip of pasteboard, or stiff canvas or buckram laid in the inside of the band, and the lower edge of the band (the red cloth) turned up over it and whipped to it.



Interior of one without either the lining or the sweat band... with the paste-bard interlining of the band visible.

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Then the interior lining whipped to the turned in edge of the band cloth before the sweat band is put in:

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Sweat band put on...

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And one with the lining and the sweat band.

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On this one the paste-board visible in the crown, and the band.

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Very interesting... I suppose I'll have to look into that method of sewing it on... I suppose with a little experimenting I could get it down... I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to get the lining sewn onto it... the main reason I liked the double thick band was that it allowed me to sew the lining in and be able to go through only one layer... Perhaps when the body is sewn to the canvas (it's what I have the most of) I could extend my lining pattern to stitch to the bottom of the lining... then again, the sweatband would cover it up...

You've given me much to think about, thank you good sir!

 

[RedRover]

Very interesting... I suppose I'll have to look into that method of sewing it on... I suppose with a little experimenting I could get it down... I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to get the lining sewn onto it... the main reason I liked the double thick band was that it allowed me to sew the lining in and be able to go through only one layer... Perhaps when the body is sewn to the canvas (it's what I have the most of) I could extend my lining pattern to stitch to the bottom of the lining... then again, the sweatband would cover it up...

You've given me much to think about, thank you good sir!

On the originals the cotton lining's bottom edge is just whipped with rough whip stitches the the cloth of the band where it is turned over the band-stiffening. When the leather sweat-liner is put in, it covers this point of connection.

Mr. Adolphus' website suggests some of the examples viewed, the band's stiffening, of buckram or pasteboard, was likely glued into place under the band seam (there are modern fabric glues that might be tried, that are not messy, or even an perhaps an Elmer's glue stick),

then the bottom of the band turned up over its edge. You might try the glue on the surface of the stiffening, to hold the fabric of the band's turnover in place before you sew it. Or might whip it down with some basting stitches so as not to require any glue at all (basting stitches which you can remove later), etc. As you mention, just requires experimentation...

 

[captaindrew]

That's a pretty nice looking cap, you're certainly getting better at it every time. Look forward to seeing your next creations.