"Jocking" my balmoral

[RD Evans]

I bought a new Robert Mackie balmoral and thankfully I found the great thread "Jock's New Bonnet."

My balmoral has now soaked in a bucket of water for 24 hours. I set it out, let it dry some and beat it about (tossing it against the shower walls, crunching it together, etc). Now it is back into the bucket for another day of soaking. Tomorrow I'll take it out, let it dry some and then put it on, shape it, and let it dry on my noggin.

I forgot to take pictures of the before, but as you can imagine, it looked a bit like a flying saucer/pizza chef hat. I will post some pictures once I get it Jocked for the "great rabble's" critique.

Thanks again to Mr. Jock Scot for posting that thread!

Have a wonderful day!

[Tarheel]

Please keep us, that want a balmoral in our future, updated on your progress. The best hats of any kind are the ones that wear as well as look good.

[Bruce Scott]

There really is no need to soak it for so long. The same result can be obtained by a thorough wetting (I use warm water and a little detergent) then bung it in a washing machine on spin to drive out most of the water. While still damp whack it on your head and shape it. This process only takes a few minutes. You'll get a good result by allowing it to dry on your head.

[Pleater]

If you have no spin dryer to hand then squeezing - do not wring - to remove what water you can, then rolling in a towel and stamping on it will do the job just as well, you can then don the cap and pull it around without the water dripping down your neck.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[RD Evans]

Thanks for the hints and tips! Tomorrow I will be doing the shaping. I'll get some pictures taken

[Jock Scot]

There are lots of ways to achieve the resulting style that you require. I look forward to seeing the end result.

[Jack Daw]

Not having a fresh-water stream near my house, I soaked my Robert Mackie in the sink, rolled it in a towel to damp-dry, fitted it on my head as I wanted it, stayed away from the heater, and after a couple of days - Jock's Your Uncle!

[RD Evans]

I've pulled the balmoral out of the bucket, let it dry some and have finished shaping it. Its now drying on my head.



After it dried some initially. Ha!



Left side view



Front side view

Please let me know what you all think!

I forgot to mention that the balmoral was slightly too big when I received it, but has shrunk up just a bit to fit quite nicely.

[GrainReaper]

Looking good! I have a balmoral I just received, it needs a good jocking too!!

[Jock Scot]

Going for the Lovat Scouts(their bonnets had no cockade) look,eh? It might just pay you to move the bonnet round just a wee tad so that the cockade is slightly nearer the ear. See how it looks? Well done laddie!