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Specialist Repair Services
At Fortin Hats, we offer a wide range of restoration and repair services to help bring your hat back to life. Whether it's a treasured family heirloom or a favourite everyday piece, we treat each hat with care and craftsmanship.
Services include (but are not limited to):
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Re-shaping, re-stiffening, remodelling, cleaning, stain removal, invisible mending, steaming, stretching, replacing outer bands, brim edge trimming, resizing brims, replacing sweat bands, satin linings, and chinstrap attachment.
We invite you to fill in our quote form below to see how we can help with your specific restoration needs.


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Replacement SweatbandThe sweatband is one of the most important components of your hat — it shapes to your head, absorbs moisture, and provides everyday comfort. Over time, sweatbands can dry out, shrink, or perish, which may cause your hat to feel too tight or lose its proper fit. Replacing the sweatband not only restores comfort but can also correct sizing issues and help maintain the structure of your hat. As part of this service, the old sweatband is carefully removed and replaced with a premium leather band, stitched in by hand. Your hat will also receive a gentle steam and brush to refresh its overall appearance.
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New Satin LinerHat liners help protect the interior of your hat from sweat, hair products, and daily wear, extending its life and preserving its shape. Replacing liner periodically is great way to keep the inside of you hat fresh and clean. During the process the old liner will be removed and a white replacement will be set in its place by hand. As part of this service your hat will also receive a quick steam clean and a good brush.
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Replacement Outer bands and Ribbon WorkSometimes things don’t go quite as planned — and the decorative outer band on your hat might go missing or get damaged (perhaps the dog had a little too much fun with it). If your hat is an Akubra, as an Authorised Akubra Repairer, I can liaise directly with Akubra to source and replace the correct band for your specific hat style and colour. For non-Akubra hats or those needing a refresh, I also offer custom ribbon work — from traditional grosgrain trims to unique decorative finishes. Each replacement is carefully matched and hand-fitted to restore or elevate the style of your hat.
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Crown Pinch HoleAfter years of wear, it’s common for a small hole to develop in the crown where the hat is frequently pinched — even in the best quality felt styles. It’s important to repair this early, as even a small hole can quickly spread and weaken the structure of the crown. This process takes time, patience, and skill. Using traditional millinery techniques, the weakened felt is carefully reinforced from the inside with a fine patch, and the hole is invisibly stitched closed by hand. The result is a discreet, durable repair that preserves the hat’s shape and character.
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Stain Removal and Hat CleaningEven the most well-loved hat can show signs of wear — from sweat marks and makeup smudges to dust and weather stains. These blemishes can build up over time, These marks can build up over time, leaving the hat looking tired and worn. We take a gentle, detailed approach to cleaning, using specialist techniques and products designed for felt, straw, and other delicate materials. Each hat is treated on a case-by-case basis to lift stains without compromising the fabric. As part of the service, your hat will also be lightly steamed, and brushed, giving it a refreshed appearance while preserving its original character.



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