Bonnet Bashing Jock Scott Style

[Jock Scot]

Good lord! How heavy is your badge? I have seen that system used with the old military cap badge with the split pin fastening , but never with a "pin and clip" type fastening, but what the heck it works for you. For me with the "pin and clip" fastening, with the "pin" just pushed through the cloth, I stab a short piece of elastic band on to the "clip" end as insurance.

It all looks just fine and I think that wee drop of Scotland is very well deserved. Well done.

[Tobus]

What is that grosgrain ribbon made of? Can it be melted at the holes to prevent fraying?

[fluter]

What is that grosgrain ribbon made of? Can it be melted at the holes to prevent fraying?

Historically, wool or silk were common. Today it might be silk, but most likely polyester, viscose (rayon), or a blend (PV). Therefore, it depends.

[BoldHighlander]

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...

Good lord! How heavy is your badge? I have seen that system used with the old military cap badge with the split pin fastening , but never with a "pin and clip" type fastening, but what the heck it works for you.

Until I get one of the newly redesigned Keppoch badges I'm using a generic MacDonald badge on my new bonnet. While its no heavier than my other pewter cap badges, I've found that the clasp placement is a wee bit low & thus its 'top heavy' (leans out a bit from the crown). I'll have to do something like this utilizing the cross on the badge.

[BoldHighlander]

What is that grosgrain ribbon made of? Can it be melted at the holes to prevent fraying?

Like Jock, I always just pushed mine thru whatever cockade was on my bonnet (I usually replaced the plain one w/ a swatch of my clans tartan).

[BobsYourUncle]

Good lord! How heavy is your badge? I have seen that system used with the old military cap badge with the split pin fastening , but never with a "pin and clip" type fastening, but what the heck it works for you. For me with the "pin and clip" fastening, with the "pin" just pushed through the cloth, I stab a short piece of elastic band on to the "clip" end as insurance.

It all looks just fine and I think that wee drop of Scotland is very well deserved. Well done.

Jock--thanks for the very kind words and fellowship. Ah yes, well, my first experience with cap badges was with military bonnets, and I suppose that was why I settled on this solution when my flopping clan badge began to annoy! I did think of actually going all the way through not only the cockade, but also the fabric and the interior lining as well, which is the way the old split pin through the lug fasteners were done, but while that is ok for a khaki TOS, it seemed a bit of rough mutilation for my new bonnet...getting a bit squeemish in my old age, I guess...

[BobsYourUncle]

What is that grosgrain ribbon made of? Can it be melted at the holes to prevent fraying?

I agree with Fluter, there is a great risk of igniting the thing if it turns out to be synthetic. You really shouldn't need to melt the ribbon at the holes, the weight of the ribbon should be born by the back panel of grosgrain that is sewn to directly to the cap fabric, so the holes themselves should not have any pressure or shearing force that would require measures to prevent fraying. If you still don't like the odds, you could use one of the fabric sealant/anti fraying treatment options that simply spray on or are applied from a tube, but as I say, I don't think that should be necessary. Just my tuppence.

[creagdhubh]

Creagh Dhubh--Of course, to each his own! I have no doubt that breaking them in through natural wear as you do acheives much the same result!

Hey, I just realized the source of your forum name--the clan motto "Creagh Dhubh Cloin Chattan", or "Dark rock of sons of Chattan". My Murdoch [Machcourach is how they transliterated it] ancestors wrote about clan history in a very old family bible, and in the narrative of ancient "Uncle Murdoch", who came to NYC in 1837, and promptly fled, as according to his account, the other Scots he met in NYC were "exceedingly disagreeable". He apparently lived to a ripe old age, and was prevailed upon to write his life's story, in which he details the family connnection to Cluny MacPherson...

Quite right cousin. Wonderful to hear of your connection with the clan!

Yours aye,

[creagdhubh]

Then you may enjoy this work in progress. When I've finished knitting the crown, it will be felted within an inch of its life, hopefully acquiring an appropriate size and shape for my cranium. At the moment, it's beyond bloated.

Oh my goodness....

[thescot]

Fourth and final stage: installation of the cap badge. . . .Run some matching thread through the top piece of grosgrain, and around some feature of your cap badge at the top. . . .

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! . . .

Bob, you're a genius. You did exactly what I did for the same reason: to keep the top-heavy badge from leaning and flopping over, pulling the whole top of the bonnet down. Good show.

I feel vidicated now.