Sisters is home to a custom hatter
By Joseph Duerrmeyer

Looking for that perfect and distinctive hat that will become an extension of your personality can be a real challenge.

Have you had an idea for that “dream hat” you’ve always wanted but have never been able to find? Have you seen a hat in a film, on television or in a magazine — a hat that fascinated you — and you want one just like it? Perhaps, you want a cowboy hat in your university colors with a “Gus” crown and an over-sized brim.

A custom hat is often the only solution. Fortunately there is now a custom hatmaker in Central Oregon.

Gene Baldwin is one of only 35 or so custom hatmakers in the USA. From Baldwin you can get that perfect hat you have always wanted for a price that will surprise you. From cowboy hats to dress hats, the choices are yours. Debra Baldwin teams up with her husband and does all of the sewing for the hats, sweat bands, liners, trim and everything else that needs to be done that requires a sewing machine.

This is a family business, and after working with the Baldwins you will feel like a part of the family.

Much of the hatmaking equipment that Baldwin uses was manufactured in the 1800s. He has located his equipment from such sources as eBay, garage sales and specialty manufacturers. One of the key challenges Baldwin has faced has been to bring the equipment up to modern, usable standards. For example, one of his presses was steam powered when he purchased it and he had to convert it to electricity. Some equipment he has handcrafted, using only vintage drawings and photos as a guide.

All Baldwin hats are made from quality fur felt. They are available in 100 percent hare, 50-50 percent hare and beaver or 100 percent beaver felt. Baldwin guarantees his hats for both their quality and fur content, unlike most premium manufactured hats which dropped their fur content guarantees many years ago. The use of pure beaver felt makes it possible to get either a thin body or normal bodied hat.

Many people prefer the thinner body, as it is lighter weight than the normal hat and often more comfortable to wear. Beaver felt is also highly resistant to moisture; for the person who spends considerable time in the snow or rain, beaver is the best choice.
The process of getting a custom hat is completely painless other than the agony of the decision-making; having complete freedom as to style, color and quality can be overwhelming the first time all the options are presented. The first step is deciding the quality of the fur felt to be used; each has its advantage which Baldwin is quick to explain. Then, the color is decided. Nearly anything is possible, including camouflage.

Next is the process of measuring, where the head is measured not only for size but also for its exact shape. Baldwin uses a conformer to create a form which is patterned to your exact head shape and size. The hat is built around this form, so the fit is guaranteed.

Last comes setting your style. You can have an over-sized brim, which is not an option at any price from the mainstream manufacturers. Would you like a Gus crown, cattleman, pronghorn or telescope — perhaps a Gus with a mule kick in the back? The choices are bewildering to the custom hat greenhorn. Even the very traditional unsanded styles of the 1800s are available where the finish is fuzzy rather than smooth.

When the hat is delivered, there is no breaking-in process, no tweaking to make it right. The hat fits like it just grew there.
The hat will almost immediately become an extension of your personality, however you may view it, and you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

Baldwin also has a large selection of custom hat bands with Indian bead work, porcupine quills, horsehair or nearly anything else you can imagine for the ultimate accessory to make your hat like none other.

Gene Baldwin can be contacted at Baldwin’s Custom Hats at 541-610-9978.