This page has been designed to help you replace the hat band on your Indy fedora
and create the more realistic "Flying V" double bow as seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark.


Original Brown Dyed darker w/black RIT And Plain Black


This is a new ribbon stock provided by Pyroxene.
It is a bound edge, Rayon/Cotton blend, very similar to the original Akubra ribbon.

The brown ribbon needs to be dyed a little darker to give it a better contrast, especially on the original Federations.

Wet and microwave the ribbon for about 20 seconds before placing in the dye bath.
Simmer ribbon for about 10 minutes in a small pot of water with 2 tablespoons of Black RIT dye. Rinse well and dry.

Using the rayon setting, iron the ribbon using a cloth over it, so as not to melt the rayon content (trust me on this one!).

I like using Ultra Thin Stitch Witch iron-on bonding tape, instead of sewing in some parts of this next section.
I find it makes things a little easier. Use whichever works best for you.

Please Note: For photographic purposes, I used both the black and brown ribbon in this next section.

You will need a piece of ribbon approximately 26 " long, for the band.
You will need a piece about 12" for the bow which will be folded
and ironed flat as shown.
A piece about 3" for the bow loop/knot, folded and ironed flat as shown.
You can close the bow loop/knot either way as shown.
The one on the left seems more Raiders accurate.

Pinch the center of the bow and create the "V" Place a stitch thru the back of the pinch to help hold its shape.



Slide the knot over the bow and it should look something like this!


At this point you can either slide the entire thing over the hat band
and close it using several methods.

You can sew it the whole thing closed and slide it right on to the hat.
(if you use this method, make sure you measure it closed for a tight fit).

Or you can attach the band to the hat first, ensuring a nice tight fit and attach the bow to that.
Be careful when sewing thru the felt. Use the smallest needle possible.




Tack the bow in the four corners to the hatband and then place tacking stitches in about 4 or so spots around the band.



If you pull the bow tight as you tack it to the band,
you can achieve that nice puffy Raiders look.

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