Fourth and final stage: installation of the cap badge. First, gather your tools about you: a rotary leather hole punch, a marker, and the subject cap badge. I will explain all as we go.



All of the commercially made cockades I have encountered are configured so that there is a flat piece of grosgrain sewn directly to the crown of the bonnet, with a top portion comprised of a "rosette" piece of the cockade formed into a bow like item which is loosely, but firmly sewn to the back piece in the middle of the bow as well as the ends. I prefer to embed my cap badge in the cockade, so that the two clasp ends pass through the top, bow like piece of the cockade, the pin portion then runs through the back, flat piece of cockade, then into the open end of the far clasp piece, which is then closed around the pin. Embedding the cap badge in this fashion draws the cap badge flush with the cockade, helps it to lie flat, and cuts down on any random bobbing up and down as one strides out forthrightly.

First, hold your cap badge up to the cockade to determine placement. Then carefully mark the points at which the two clasp ends will enter the cockade.



Using the rotary leather hole punch, pierce the top layer of the cockade, making a hole significantly smaller than the size of the clasp ends.



Feed the clasp end on which the pin rotates into the middle of the cockade through the left hand hole.



Pierce the bottom piece of grosgrain on your way to the other side.



Run some matching thread through the top piece of grosgrain, and around some feature of your cap badge at the top. The MacPherson cap badge has a handy cat tail at just the right point, but you will figure out what works with whatever badge you are using. Tossing a stitch or two around the top of your cap badge will provide security in case the clasp decides to betray you at the next Highland games, and will draw the top of the cap badge toward the crown of your bonnet, creating a pleasing look, and eliminating any possiblity of bounce...



Final result, up close:



Having smartly and successfully completed a work of no small cultural significance, celebration should include the imbibing of a single malt beverage of amber hue. All raise a glass to Jock Scott! Slainte!