Old Hippie Makes a Glengarry

**Old Hippie** · 8th January 11, 06:10 PM

About a year ago I bought the pattern for a Glengarry from Randall Whitlock (Randwulf at MoiRandall's). Then I went looking for wool Melton, to no local avail.

After that bit of frustration, our brother Tim (Mac Ghille Sheathanaich) sent me a small piece of lovely black Melton on the sole condition that I use it and not just sit on it. Then one thing and another happened and spring arrived and I was only inside to sleep and eat. Long story a little shorter, over the Christmas holiday this year I decided I had all the parts I needed, so started in.

Sigh.

My wife was busy using the sewing machine to do a project for our oldest daughter. The old treadle was really hummin'. (It's a Singer 66 Redeye in a five-drawer base, for anyone who loves old sewing machines like I do.) Not to be deterred I got out my pride and joy:

This little jewel is a 1930 Singer VS vibrating shuttle machine with a hand crank. The little strip on the bed is my 1/4-inch seam gauge for quilting. It's seen some use but is in pristine original condition.

I'll spare you the gory details in 436 images (because I really didn't take any). But the end result is this:

The crest is a little smaller than a normal cap badge, so here's a close up:

Not, of course that I was ever in that service, but I'm a fan and supporter. I'm also a strong supporter of the Canadian lighthouse keepers -- a group under attack by our government which wants to do away with them, shutter the coastal lights and automate everything. I can rant about that elsewhere.

And finally, just to prove that the hat and I were in the same room:

Hope that doesn't crack yer monitor.

Anyway, I am pleased that the pattern is easy to follow. I lined the hat with black broadcloth. I couldn't find a source for the widest grosgrain ribbon I needed, so I simply sewed two lengths of narrower ribbon together and used that (on the edging).

Major thanks to Tim -- in the year since he sent off the material to me I'm sure he's given me up as hopeless.

I managed to find some Melton this fall in red, blue and maroon so bought some of all three. It's quite popular for coatmakers locally, so the shops sell out of it quickly. Got the chance to get in there and throw elbows with the professionals! I also have Randwulf's beret and Balmoral patterns, so I'll be playing at being a gentleman's hatmaker for a few weeks.

Cheers, eh!

:ootd:

**KiltedDixon** · 8th January 11, 06:21 PM

Bottom line....you made it and it looks good.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 8th January 11, 06:22 PM

Very nice.

Aladdin lamps on the wall?

**BoldHighlander** · 9th January 11, 01:45 AM

Nice!

Believe it or not, when we were kids, my sister bought a sewing machine similar to that at a garage sale for about $5.00! For reasons unexplained to this day, when we moved from Kirkland to Bellingham, my dad tossed it!!!

**LANCER1562** · 9th January 11, 02:52 AM

Very good job. Looks great.

**Chas** · 9th January 11, 04:22 AM

Good job and good machine!

Those things are bomb-proof. 35 years ago, I made eight, 6 man, patrol tents using one of those. Every inch, hand cranked and balloon stitched - happy days.

Anyway, your Glengarry looks very smart and I think it suits you.

Regards

Chas

**Donnie** · 9th January 11, 06:39 AM

Great job!

**Tartan Tess** · 9th January 11, 11:39 AM

I just got Randwulf's Glengarry pattern in the mail this week.
I was going to try and make one (or more) out of a pea coat I got at our local swap shack. Do you think that material would be too thick?

**Old Hippie** · 9th January 11, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Ozark Ridge Rider

Very nice. Aladdin lamps on the wall?

Thanks! Yes, a not-quite-matched pair. One in green, the other in green moonstone. They're "electrocuted" but putting them in oil is simple.

Had to do something to display some of the collection.

Got enough bloody lamps here to heat the house.

:ootd:

**Old Hippie** · 9th January 11, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Tess

I was going to try and make one (or more) out of a pea coat I got at our local swap shack. Do you think that material would be too thick?

What you probably have is Melton. It's a nice tight weave and fairly thick. That's what I've used. You want something that will hold shape without being stiff, which this does. He says in the directions that the fabric that most pea coats are made from is ideal. Good luck!