Latest Bonnet.

[Mike S]

What Todd said.

"Jim Dandy" is a nineteenth century expression, left over from my living history/reenacting days.

[Mike S]

Regarding the sourcing of suitable tweed fabric, I became frustrated with the complete absence of any locally available yardage and decided to check the used clothing stores. Goodwill and similar thrift type operations have a plethora of tweed jackets and skirts, including some genuine Harris tweeds in various patterns and colors.

I bought a few men's tweed jackets in sizes way too small for myself to cut up and use for making bonnets. Not only did I get some nice fabric in quantities suitable for this smaller project, but I had the pleasure of destroying a garment designed for the skinny fellows as well.

I did find a brown tweed that looks identical to the one Todd made his balmoral out of in the above photo, so I am looking forward to churning out a copy of that one. As the saying goes "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"!

From what I understand, tweeds are becoming something of a difficulty world wide for garment makers to source in sufficient varieties and quantities these days. Apparently this isn't simply a problem for those of us located in less urban environments alone.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I've done the same. Our local fabric stores only stock a handful of tweeds, not very good ones and most are made in China, which really bugs me. There is a steady stream of Harris Tweed sport coats up for auction on eBay and many of them go for $15- $25 because nobody else bids on them. You can easily get a couple bonnets out of one donor jacket, even though you may need to make the big top circle out of two pieces (no big deal).

This one is a recycled sport coat ($20). I had the nice Harris Tweed jacket and wanted a matching bonnet. I bought the closest thing that I could find on eBay color-wise in the form of a used sport coat. When it arrived, it was close, but the tweed was not quite a match - just a bit lighter and more tan. I cut out the pieces I needed and then soaked them for about 20 minutes in tea (Earl Grey, hot - just like Captain Piccard). Then I rinsed them really well, dried them and ironed them and proceeded to make the bonnet. (I always look sleepy in these photos.... must be because I stay up until 4:00 AM thinking up crazy stuff to make).



If I can find a photo of one, I'll show you what else can be made from one of these cheap tweed coats, in addition to a nice bonnet, but I'll have to locate the pix.

[Mike S]

Todd we are definitely brothers from different mothers. ;)

[Todd Bradshaw]

It looks that way. When I was a little kid I was always getting in trouble for taking apart my sister's toys to see how they were made and what made them work. I guess I'm still doing it, but these days I can get away with it.

Anyway, I found a couple photos. I've always wanted one of the fancy English bespoke shooting waistcoats like this one - but they're about $400 and that's way past my budget for that sort of thing.



So I bought a Harris Tweed donor coat that fit. We stripped out much of the padding, re-shaped the lapel area and body and had enough left from the sleeves to make the big bellows pockets and a bonnet. I added the leather and our total cost was about $30.



Then we built another one. With the plaid to deal with there wasn't enough excess to make a bonnet though.



I've been trying to figure out whether I can make one that is "kilt cut" with the bottom shortened, pockets reworked and clearance for a sporran, but it's still just a foggy concept idea.

[Mike S]

Looks very dapper indeed. I could use one of those myself.

[Mike S]

Todd, how did you handle the two piece top panel for you bonnets? Did you piece it with the seam in the center, and running fore and aft, or left to right?

[Todd Bradshaw]

The one next to the shooting vest on the bricks is pieced left to right. In the photo, the seam is running from about the 10:00 position to the 4:00 position. You could certainly run the seam in another direction if it looked better with a particular tweed, but if you sew it, then fold the seam allowances down and topstitch them on either side next to the seam they look like they're supposed to be there at almost any angle. I also didn't have enough tweed left on that one for the band, so it got a band made from a solid, olive-brown wool, which still looks pretty nice. It brings up another realm of possible future experimentation....contrasting bands, maybe even trying one with a tartan band - kind of like personalized dicing. Time will tell. I tend to make a bonnet or two and then get burned out on them and quit for a while. I basically hate making clothing. I'm used to sewing big hunks of Dacron sailcloth with a big zig-zag at 25 stitches per second. Clothing is rather tedious to sew by comparison. Luckily, I get to be the concept man for most of the non-bonnet garments and my wife does the sewing.

Don't tell anybody, but most of the year I actually look more like this.

[Dughlas mor]

Gee Todd, I`m beginning to think you actually are Sam Elliott! Those shooting vests are really nice.

[416 Rigby]

That shooting vest is a great idea! I, too, have always wanted one, but they're out of my price as well. I can totally see myself in kilt and tweed shooting vest, shooting sporting clays with my damascus Parker double.