How to Starch a Church Hat ?
We all have that favorite hat that we call on when we want to look and feel our best. With all that usage, though, comes a bit of wear and tear. Caring for your hat isn’t quite as straightforward as with other garments, but it’s still essential.
Fortunately, there is one way to maintain your favorite hats, and it’s easier than you think: starching. This is a way to retain the structure and appearance of your hat to keep it looking its best for the long haul.
We’ll show you how to starch a church hat in this guide so you can prolong the life of any of the different types of church hats. You can say goodbye to the droopiness or wrinkles that have taken hold of your hat!
But if you discover yours is beyond salvation and you want to replace it with something new, you’ve come to the right place. Designer Church Suits is your trusted choice for the best selection of church hats for sale online. Shop your favorite designers at low prices today!
What is “Starching”?
If you’ve never starched a hat before you probably have no idea what we’re even talking about here - so what is starching? This is a traditional method of maintaining fabrics that adds stiffness and structure, keeping them looking crisp and shapely.
As the name suggests, it involves applying a starch solution to the material in either liquid or spray form. Then, that solution is pressed or dried into the fabric to “bring it back to life” so to speak, sort of like Jesus did when he left the tomb on that fateful day.
This practice makes the hat look better while actively extending its life by strengthening the fabric and providing resistance to daily wear and environmental elements.
Starching was originally used for collars, cuffs, and petticoats - but today, it’s used for more types of clothing and accessories. That being said, can you really starch a hat?
Can You Starch a Hat?
Yes - but there are some caveats you need to keep in mind before we show you how to starch a church hat. Not every hat will take well to starch.
You need to carefully consider the material you’re applying the solution to and how it will react. Hats crafted from natural fibers like cotton or linen are great candidates for starching, as they respond well to the added structure.
In contrast, delicate or synthetic fabrics, such as silk or certain polyester blends may not take so well. Attempting to starch these types of materials could actually cause more harm than good, as they’ll lose their natural texture or fade.
We encourage you to do your due diligence and check for specific manufacturer care instructions on your hat. Better yet, try testing the solution on a small, inconspicuous area with a light starch application to see if your hat will react well to the process.
But with all that being said, we’ll get into how to starch a church hat below so you can see what exactly goes into the process.
How to Starch a Church Hat: Step-by-Step Guide
The best part about starching church hats to keep them looking their best is it’s actually a fairly simple task, too. You just need a few supplies, many of which you probably already have in the home. Here’s how to starch a hat step by step.
What You’ll Need
Begin by gathering all the essentials to get this project underway:
Starch spray or liquid starch solution
A clean, soft cloth
An iron (not completely necessary but can help add stiffness)
A hat form or stand to maintain the shape while drying
A towel or protective surface to catch any excess starch
Start With Some Prep
Once you have everything you need on hand, it’s time to get to work. Start by cleaning the hat from any dust, dirt, or other debris to get a fresh base. You can do this with a gentle wipe using a soft cloth, quickly removing any surface impurities.
We know that many church hats have unique embellishments, like ribbons, flowers, or bows - these features make them stand out. But, they can get in the way of the starching process or could be harmed during it. Remove them, secure them, or cover them.
This is also a good time to figure out where you’re going to work - the kitchen or a bathroom is ideal. Lay down a towel or protective surface to avoid staining your workspace.
Applying the Starch
Now comes the fun part, learning how to starch a church hat. Hold the starch spray about 6-8 inches away from the hat and apply an even, light layer across the surface. Focus on one section at a time to completely cover the area without over-saturating it.
If you’re applying liquid starch, use a cloth to dab the solution onto the fabric. Let the first layer dry slightly and then apply a second coat for a firmer hold.
Shaping and Drying the Hat
After coating the hat with starch place it on a hat form or stand to maintain its shape as it dries. This is where the real magic happens, and it’s the most important aspect of the task to maintain or create a well-defined structure.
Adjust the brim and crown as needed while the fabric is still damp, as it will hold whatever shape it dries in. Leave the hat in a well-ventilated area and let it air dry completely. This may take several hours.
We mentioned earlier that you can lightly press the hat with an iron on a low heat setting once it is mostly dry. This will make it even more stiff, so use this technique at your discretion.
Final Touches
Once the hat is dry you can take it off its stand and inspect it for areas that may need additional shaping or minor adjustments.
Some sections may not be quite as stiff as you had hoped, and that’s ok. You can still reapply a light layer of starch and let it dry again, essentially repeating all the steps above.
Finish by smoothing out any wrinkles or creases with your hands or using a cool iron gently. And there you have it, how to starch a hat to perfection for a like-new appearance and shape!
Common Mistakes and Issues We See
Before we wrap things up we want to help you troubleshoot some common mistakes or problems you may encounter along the way:
Over-Starching: Less is more! Applying too much starch can overstiffen the hat to the point that it’s uncomfortable to wear. Fix this, with a light misting of water on the hat and then reshape it to soften the fabric.
Uneven Application: Inconsistent starching will leave behind patches of stiffness or limpness areas. Take your time to spray evenly and layer consistently for a balanced finish.
Starching Delicate Fabrics: Don’t forget that using starch on fragile or unsuitable materials can make matters worse, leading to damage or discoloration. Always patch test before diving in headfirst.
Ignoring Drying Time: We know you’re eager to see the end result, but rushing the drying process can compromise the shape or structure of your hat. Be patient and give ample time for proper drying. It’s worth the wait!
Follow these steps and you’ll be amazed at how much better your hat looks when it’s all said and done. But, all good things come to an end - and hats are no exception.
Eventually, it may be time to part ways with old faithful and find your new favorite hat. Look no further than our selection at Designer Church Suits!
Find Your New Favorite Church Hats at Designer Church Suits!
For more than 30 years men and women of the church have trusted us to provide the latest and greatest in fashion. We stock all the best designers in the industry, including:
From black church hats to white church hats and every other color under the sun, we’ve got your new favorite hat waiting to be discovered. Shop styles like the fascinator, pillbox, cloche, sinamay, and more - with materials such as straw, wool, and felt.
If you aren’t sure which is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team. We can help you weigh your options and pick the perfect hat for your preferences and face shape. You can also lean on us for sizing tips.
You can even find a great selection of church hats under $100 if you’re on a tight budget - these are our most affordable styles that don’t compromise on quality or style.
But beyond our unparalleled designer church hats catalog, you can also find everything from church dresses to church suits. So, browse our online storefront today and see what catches your eye. Upgrade your worship wardrobe and make each Sunday service even more special!
Final Thoughts on How to Starch a Church Hat
That does it for today’s lesson on how to starch a church hat. Starching your hat will revitalize its shape and appearance, so you can put your best foot forward everytime you go enter the chapel with a crisp, polished look.
Find more resources in our blog like why do women wear hats in church, how to wear a church hat, how to dress for church, inappropriate church attire, what the bible says about dressing for church, wearing black to church, and many others.
But at this point why not spoil yourself with the most elegant church hats online at Designer Church Suits? Even if you do manage to starch your hats back to life, there’s always room for something new and exciting in your wardrobe!
It doesn’t hurt to take a look around. Who knows, you may just find your new favorite style today! Complete your church outfit with a hat that exudes grace and sophistication. Shop today and see what keeps customers coming back for more!