"Jocked" Balmoral Streched

**Mike S** · 29th April 15, 11:15 AM

It seems to be that you are attempting to get the Balmoral to fit like a beret, which it is not. Shaping is one thing, but attempting to shrink the crown to the size of a beret defeats the original style of the headdress IMO.

**Kent Frazier** · 29th April 15, 11:51 AM

I wasn't. The crown wasn't very big to begin with.

Edit to add: Thanks for confirming that it looks more like a beret.

**Macman** · 29th April 15, 12:05 PM

You might try a teeny bit of stitching at the back to pull it a bit tighter. I did this with a new balmoral and it did the trick.

**Liam** · 29th April 15, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Macman

You might try a teeny bit of stitching at the back to pull it a bit tighter. I did this with a new balmoral and it did the trick.

Another solution is to stitch a 1-2 inch piece of 1/2 inch wide elastic at the back.

**Mike S** · 29th April 15, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Kent Frazier

I wasn't. The crown wasn't very big to begin with.

Edit to add: Thanks for confirming that it looks more like a beret.

I agree, the proportions aren't very Balmoral like at all. Other than the superlative Robert Mackie and a few other good sources, it is becoming somewhat hit or miss lately getting a properly made and fitted Balmoral. This is one bit of kit that really lives up to the "you get what you pay for" mantra in my experience.

The less expensive Pakistani, and at least one Canadian made example I've seen fell a bit short of the mark.

**Jock Scot** · 30th April 15, 04:35 AM

The crown size has changed over the years and these days Robert Mackie crowns are a bit larger than they used to be. When I did my bonnet "Jocking" feature thread here, Robert Mackie took my old(some 30 years or so) bonnet and made(at no extra charge) my new bonnet with a smaller crown. From what I remember my new bonnet crown is quite a bit smaller(same size as my old one) than is currently the fashion. Just saying.

**JohntheBiker** · 30th April 15, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Kent Frazier

Thanks Jock, I thought it was too low. The has size was a 58cm. I may see about adding something around the headband. I do see a Robert Mackie balmoral in my future however. I just need to decide between fawn, Lovat green, or Lovat Blue.

Kent, I think that you are on the right track. If you are not happy with the fit of the existing bonnet and you are resorting to work-arounds, then you won't feel good in it and you probably won't wear it. Better to invest in a new one.

**Kent Frazier** · 30th April 15, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Liam

Another solution is to stitch a 1-2 inch piece of 1/2 inch wide elastic at the back.

Thanks Liam, that did the trick!

Originally Posted by JohntheBiker

Kent, I think that you are on the right track. If you are not happy with the fit of the existing bonnet and you are resorting to work-arounds, then you won't feel good in it and you probably won't wear it. Better to invest in a new one.

Although the crown may be on the small side, given what Jock said,

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

The crown size has changed over the years and these days Robert Mackie crowns are a bit larger than they used to be. When I did my bonnet "Jocking" feature thread here, Robert Mackie took my old(some 30 years or so) bonnet and made(at no extra charge) my new bonnet with a smaller crown. From what I remember my new bonnet crown is quite a bit smaller(same size as my old one) than is currently the fashion. Just saying.

, and the fact that I am happy with the fit now I will be wearing this for awhile. I'm not saying I won't be buying a Robert Mackie, but maybe just not as soon.