Beret to bonnet conversion

[Nathan]

Recently, I've been wanting a fawn coloured bonnet but given that I already have two perfectly good bonnets, one a lovat blue Robert Mackie Balmoral and the other a tartan green military quality TOS with a red toorie, I found the asking price for a new Mackie a little steep for a frivolous purchase.

But then I was inspired by two recent xmarks threads. Hag posted a thread about wearing a beret with the kilt. My initial reaction was that I wouldn't be a fan of the look because of the obvious differences. Dale of Cedars then posted a photo of his kangol beret to bonnet conversion. He had success simply by adding a toorie.

This inspired me to think a little harder about what separates a beret from a bonnet. There are many varieties of beret.

I went to my local military surplus store and dug through a bin of berets and came across a gorgeous quality tan/fawn coloured one. I picked it up for $5.

This had a lot going for it.
1) It had the ideal size crown.
2) It was exactly the colour I wanted.
3) It didn't have the tell tale ventilation holes on the side.

It did have a hard backing inside for a cap badge which would end up directly over my left eye if I had the small ribbons at the back but that was easily removed.

Transforming the beret to the bonnet was pretty painless -

Materials: Yarn for the toorie, grosgrain ribbon 1.5" to trim the bonnet and for the tails/bow. 2" Grosgrain ribbon for the cockade. Needle, thread.

First, I removed the black leather band with an exacto knife. When I had the ribbon trim all pinned on exactly where I wanted it, I dropped by my tailor for a quote since I don't have a sewing machine. I thought $5 was fair and so he went ahead. I had been planning to hand sew it, but this looks neater.

I had this yarn at home and used it for the toorie, however I'll keep my eyes peeled for the matching colour yarn to make a self coloured toorie. I visited 4 shops and was unsuccessful, so I went with a nice bottle green toorie for contrast. If I find the right yarn, I might make another toorie.

By the way, making a toorie is super easy. There are great instructions in "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt", as Dale mentioned.

the cockade was simple also.

So here it is:

IMG_20140702_231245.jpg


IMG_20140702_231303.jpg


IMG_20140630_152335.jpg (it's fawn/tan not the moss green it looks here. The ribbon is a khaki/taupe)


IMG_20140702_231717.jpg (This is a pretty good representation of the colours)


IMG_20140702_231415.jpg


IMG_20140702_231312.jpg

[briansbarkery]

Looks great Nathan. Best part is that you had a hand in making it. One question though. I have a green balmorral and the black tails I tried to tie it into a bow but it looks hideous. Does anyone have any instructions on how to tie it? Or maybe can point me in the right direction on a youtube video?

[Nathan]

Looks great Nathan. Best part is that you had a hand in making it. One question though. I have a green balmorral and the black tails I tried to tie it into a bow but it looks hideous. Does anyone have any instructions on how to tie it? Or maybe can point me in the right direction on a youtube video?

I just tied it like a bow tie and messed with it until it looked right. A stitch or two to keep it in place once I was satisfied didn't go astray either.

[MNlad]

I'd say you pulled it off quite nicely. Great conversion.

[thescot]

There is a discussion of tying the bow in So You're Going to Wear the Kilt as well as the toorie instructions. I like mine fairly small--about 3" or so total. You can then cut the excess on the bias to make it a neat, tight little bow. An don't forget to add the stitch or three to keep in tied and in order.

Here are a couple of the bows I've tied.



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[Theyoungkiltman]

Good job! I was going to try it as well but I had to leave the thrift store and when I got back the beret was gone!

[Tobus]

Nicely done, Nathan! It looks like you converted all the telltale components flawlessly. I like fawn coloured Balmorals too. Wear it with pride!

[TheOfficialBren]

Fawn is my favourite colour for a Balmoral bonnet.

Your conversion really is fabulous, Nathan. Had you not said that this bonnet began life as a beret I doubt many would have noticed.

Well done.

[SeumasA]

You did a good job on it Nathan--certainly can't beat the price.

[Nathan]

There is a discussion of tying the bow in So You're Going to Wear the Kilt as well as the toorie instructions. I like mine fairly small--about 3" or so total. You can then cut the excess on the bias to make it a neat, tight little bow. An don't forget to add the stitch or three to keep in tied and in order.

Here are a couple of the bows I've tied. (snip)

Hi Jim,

Thanks for showing the smaller bow. Mine were 5" plus across. I modified both this one and my mackie to 3" bows.

IMG_20140706_165706.jpg