Traditional Patches, Repairs, and Mends

[Bugbear]

There has been discussion of handed down Highland attire being patched back up, sometimes in unavoidably noticeable ways, and worn traditionally: jackets with patched holes, reversed or patched aprons etc. This seemed to be present-day attire being discussed.
May we have examples in pictures and descriptions?
Thank you.

[Paul Henry]

How about this patched apron

I've always rather liked this honesty, you can#t accuse of them of having "airs and graces"!

[Bugbear]

Thanks Paul.

[CMcG]

There is this pic of Lord Lovat:


And here is a blog post about second hand clothing that has a section on patching kilts:
http://www.wisebread.com/to-buy-or-n...othes-shopping

[Bugbear]

Thanks CMcG; seems like I've come across discussion of Lord Lovat's attire on the forum, here and there.

[Bugbear]

There have been some threads dealing with rebuilding a sporran around an antique cantle. That would probably fall under the subject of this thread.
So, should the new sporran pouch be artificially antiqued to appear more congruous with the cantle; perhaps attempting to imitate a historical style contemporary to the era of the cantle?

[MacLowlife]

There have been some threads dealing with rebuilding a sporran around an antique cantle. That would probably fall under the subject of this thread.
So, should the new sporran pouch be artificially antiqued to appear more congruous with the cantle; perhaps attempting to imitate a historical style contemporary to the era of the cantle?

I think it is probably useful to make the pouch in a way as consistent as possible with the original design, but I think that antiquing it is unnecessary- maybe gilding the lily a little. I suppose it depends on the material, but I would think most cantles, even old or historical ones would have been kept polished as much as possible. Granted, one might allow some patination- and I think silver usually looks better with a little shading in the nooks and crannies- but I think the best course would be to polish your cantle at the same time as you are replacing the bag. Maybe let them age a little afterwards, but try to start them out at the same (renewed) state of spiff.

Perhaps others disagree?

[artificer]

There have been some threads dealing with rebuilding a sporran around an antique cantle. That would probably fall under the subject of this thread.
So, should the new sporran pouch be artificially antiqued to appear more congruous with the cantle; perhaps attempting to imitate a historical style contemporary to the era of the cantle?

I have done a number of re-baggings for both truly antique pieces as well as ex-MoD pieces, some of the antique cantles have had bags which quite obviously weren't original, but later replacements.
Leather will "break in" and wear far faster than any metal, so it seems a bit silly to shorten it's lifespan (which could easily be 100 years) by artificially wearing it.

Also, just like "shabby chic" furniture has a fake quality from it's artificial wear vs a real antique piece that has been worn over time, artificially distressed leather always has a fake quality about it.
Wear happens with use, and there are very few people (IMO) who are skilled at actually being able to map where that use would take place.

I think fake wear also detracts from the "personalization" of a piece. If the leather darkens and polishes up where your hand always rests- that's cool. There is a comfort to gentle, graceful wear.
My favorite chair has hard leather arms, the areas where my left elbow and right hand rest are much darker and smoother than the rest of the leather, but it's MINE. It's where MY elbow is placed as I hold a book, and where MY hand sits as I ponder something.

No artificial wear can capture a person's habits like that.

I think it is probably useful to make the pouch in a way as consistent as possible with the original design, but I think that antiquing it is unnecessary- maybe gilding the lily a little. I suppose it depends on the material, but I would think most cantles, even old or historical ones would have been kept polished as much as possible. Granted, one might allow some patination- and I think silver usually looks better with a little shading in the nooks and crannies- but I think the best course would be to polish your cantle at the same time as you are replacing the bag. Maybe let them age a little afterwards, but try to start them out at the same (renewed) state of spiff.

Perhaps others disagree?

I think a lot depends on the cantle in question.


On this piece there were some very deep scratches that I buffed a bit, but I didn't polish it all the way up.

On the below VERY old piece I didn't polish it at all, just did some straightening of the cantle itself where it had suffered some traumatic event in it's past.

Before:


After:


Losing a wonderful worn patina on an antique piece to me is sad. Plus, brass will just tarnish again quickly anyway.
If a piece has been continually polished over time I wouldn't have a problem with buffing it up again- but a piece with age and a soft patina on it is wonderful.

MoD cantles are a different thing all-together. I have no problem with these being polished up nice and bright.




ith:

[Bugbear]

I agree with you, MacLowlife, though I was thinking of the brass cantles on the day wear sporrans more than the silver evening wear. I assumed the evening wear would have fur of some sort for the front face.

I suppose the question could extend to horse or goat hair sporrans because I recall a discussion about the newer of these being trimmed, where the older were wilder looking.
And, by the way, how are your plans coming along to take over the world, MacLowlife?

[MacLowlife]

And, by the way, how are your plans coming along to take over the world, MacLowlife?

My people are lining up in positions of power and influence everywhere.