Hats by Leko Home Page
Photos loading, it's worth the wait!  Best Viewed in 1024x768

LEKO Sizing & Stiffeners
Helpful Hint: It is always good to use clear glue.  To Remove Excess Glue... Cover the spot with tissue paper and press with a hot dry iron.  The effect is that the heat melts the glue and for some unknown reason- the tissue paper absorbs it and does not cling to the fabric or iron.  Try the method on a test piece of fabric, felt or straw to see if it will work for you.  Works only with tissue wrapping paper (suggest white).
 
HYDROLAC B-5 POWDER
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
This product is a high tech break through!!!
Made to be shipped overseas!!!

This stiffener is very similar to our Felt Stiffener but is in powdered form and can be shipped overseas. So all you people who have been calling me from different countries asking for the felt stiffener...we haven't forgotten you.

Hydrolac B-5 Powder is a Resin Base (Shellac) as is our Felt Stiffener but this can be mixed with water..yes I said water. But I must tell you I have a customer who mixed it with rubbing alcohol so that it will evaporated quickly. She says it works. (This is still here say and it is not backed by the Manufacturer if you use it this way.) It was made to be used with water. Either way it is the same base as our Felt (all purpose) Stiffener which has been reconstituted so that we can ship it overseas. If you are in the USA or Canada order the Felt (all purpose) Stiffener. Outside of North America, this is for you.

Price:    1 Pound Bag is $21.99
 
Most new milliners are being trained to use the Sizing's below  because it is non-toxic.

LEKO GELATIN SIZING
$19.95 per lb.
(non-hazardous, water soluble) for straw and felt

  1. Dissolve 1/2 cup Gelatin with 6 cups hot water. or   1. Put dissolved gel into spray bottle &
  2. Soak and stir body for 1 minute.                                  spray onto hat.
  3. Let body dry
  4. While blocking hat/spray lightly                         or    2. Mix up quantity as needed only.
  5. Steam well
  6. Dry thoroughly                                                        3. Refrigerate or freeze as needed
Gelatine Hat Sizing Microwave Instructions
 
This recipe for
20 plus hats if applied light or
10 plus hats if applied heavy.
Amounts may vary greatly.   2 tablespoons gelatine
Add 3/4 cup boiling water, stir
Microwave until disolved, mix.
Add  3/4 cup cold water,  stir   Pour into a spray bottle.(available at most grocery stores).  Spray onto straw, inside and out
before blocking. For heavy application spray again after blocked.  
For felt, spray on the inside only before steaming and blocking.  If spraying a double velour wipe into plush with a clean dry cloth.  Brush velour after blocking while still damp on the block to avoid an uneven look.  Hats By Leko has white felt brushes available for light colored felts and black brushes for dark colored felts.
 
Our Customers have found that our Felt Stiffener works for Stiffening Straw hats too! Try purchasing a quart and pouring it into a garden spray bottle that you get at your local grocery store. Spray it on your straw and let us know what you think. Most come back for the Gallon of Felt Stiffener, more aptly called All Purpose Stiffener.
 
LEKO Felt Hat Stiffener

LEKO All Purpose Stiffener
(LEKO Felt Hat Stiffener)
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Nobody in the women's hat industry has had a felt hat stiffener in decades that penetrates felt without leaving a residue, until now.

$12.50 per quart (no flammable UPS charge)
$32.00 per gallon (no flammable UPS charge)
$128.00 per case (case includes 4 gallons, no flammable UPS charge)
$160.00 per 5 gallon pail (UPS flammable charge applies)

We can ship Felt hat Stiffener to Canada as ORM-D (consumer commodity) by the quart or by the gallon or by the 4 gallon case.  All go ORM-D to Canada with no extra flammable charges.

This product, before mixed with 190 proof alcohol, is used in candy as confectioners glaze and on fruit to make them shine. Water Resistant! Many Customers are using this product for stiffening straw, too.

Directions Felt hat stiffener will restore an already stiffened hat or can be used  on a new felt hat body.  Felt hat stiffener will shower proof your felt hat and if used in a fuller degree water proof it.

1.) Please make sure that hat is clean and dry before applying LekoFelt Hat Stiffener.
2.) Pour a sufficient amount into a small dish and with a soft flat painters brush apply evenly on the inside of the crown first and thenon the upper and/or underside of the brim.
3.) After the application, wipe the hat with a soft cloth and then let dry.
4.) Then put it on the block and steam and finish in the usual way.

These directions are just a guide. Many milliners prefer to block their hat first and then when dry apply light applications of sizing letting itdry between applications until desired stiffness is achieved.NOTE: if the hat seems a little too stiff in some parts where the  stiffener has not been applied evenly, saturate a piece of soft cloth with ordinary alcohol and go over such parts smoothly. This will give an even effect.

©Hats By Leko, P.O. Box 170, Odell, OR 97044
1-800-817-HATS (4287) Orders
1-541-354-2600 Questions
Fax (541)-354-2800
9am - 5pm (PT) Mon-Fri
info@hatsupply.com