Jock's New Balmoral

[Jock Scot]

It is now morning on day two of the bonnet customizing process.

The bonnet is retrieved from the burn, hung up to dry and then beaten up some more!







Ok. I hope that the bonnet has shrunk to a snug fit, the wool will start to get a bit softer and with a bit of luck the shaping can start. Fit and shape are really what I am after, the "worn" fifty mission look is just an added bonus.

[Jock Scot]

Alright, lets see how it fits! Yes that is fine(b---y cold though!) snug enough so let the cloth dry naturally until it is at the very damp stage and it will look like this and is ready for moulding. This stage is worth taking your time over as this is the look that is going to be there for good.




Okay to help with the explanation, imagine you are above looking down onto the top of the bonnet. The line over my nose is 12 o'clock , my right ear 3 o'clock, the bow at the back 6 o'clock, my left ear 9 o'clock. Yes?--- Yes!

Check first. Bow at the back(6 o'clock), cockade to the front left(10 o'clock). Yes? ----Yes! Proceed

With one hand hold the bonnet firmly to steady it at 6 o'clock(the bow). With the other hand grasp the front of the cloth at 12 o'clock and gently but firmly pull the cloth forward. You will end up with an over hang at the front.




Now hold your bonnet with one hand at 9 o'clock to steady the bonnet and grasp the edge of the cloth at 2 o'clock and pull down(to the right) to the side of your head.It ends up that all the surplus cloth has been moved forward and to the right of the bonnet.

[Jock Scot]

Nearly done on the moulding part. Finally, brush your hand over the top of the bonnet from back to front(6 to 12 o'clock)so that you are leaving the back of the bonnet rounded and all the surplus cloth is pulled and pushed forward and to the right(2/3 o'clock).




Now wear the damp moulded bonnet around(there is a special dispensation for wearing your bonnet indoors here) until it is dry! Resist major adjustments! The odd minor adjustment is alright, if you must. There will be wrinkles, there will be dips and bumps, that is quite normal as the cloth does not all dry at the same speed. When the bonnet is DRY take it off---job done! All that is needed is put your badge on, if you want, and away you go. I personally think the balmoral looks better with a badge, but it is not a hanging offence not to have one.

If it all goes wrong and you don't like the result of the moulding process----then go back to the "drowning process" and start again.

More pictures to follow.

[Tobus]

When the bonnet is DRY take it off---job done!

This may be a dumb question, but how do you store your Balmoral to keep its shape? I know the "50 mission crush" look is the style, and it would seem that storing it flattened, rolled up, or crushed would be conducive to that. But won't that ruin the work that's been done in shaping it? Or am I over-thinking it?

[Dixiecat]

Thanks Jock for such a cool thread. I hope that Paula did have her eyes open and that your shaping instructions make it to Robert Mackie. Doing it your way is so much more fun!

[thescot]

Jock, this is an absolutely brilliant thread. Thanks so much for illustrating the whole process. I hope the "newbies" to bonnet wearing will pay attention and emulate your ministrations. The result will be well worth the efforts.

[auld argonian]

Well at least the Balmorals don't some "pre-distressed" like so many leather jackets and denim jeans....that has got to be the silliest phenomena that I've ever seen.

So if we want that same color, do we order a Jock Scot Special from now on? It is a really great color...it's such a nice break from the Navy Blue that we usually see.

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

This may be a dumb question, but how do you store your Balmoral to keep its shape? I know the "50 mission crush" look is the style, and it would seem that storing it flattened, rolled up, or crushed would be conducive to that. But won't that ruin the work that's been done in shaping it? Or am I over-thinking it?

You are over thinking things a bit. What I have tried to achieve by drowning, beating up, shaping when damp,is ridding the cloth of its old "memory" and replacing it with a new one. OK a bit of shrinking has gone on too. Make no mistake the wool is not "frozen" it will flop about all over the place when not worn, so when new, I think a bit of care is needed to preserve that "memory" in the cloth. My new bonnet will be kept where I keep the old one -------wherever I last put it! In year or so of daily wear your bonnet will just flop into place without a thought.

Now what I have demonstrated is how I want my bonnet to look and there are other looks.That is fine, each to their own. The flat, ironed, starched, lop sided, flying saucer, helipad look is one. The just out of the box and put it on look(my first picture) is another. The one I really don't think is appropriate, is the ironed, shrunk, military look with the cap badge worn over the left eye, ------fine for the military, but not for civilian Highland attire.

[Brian K]

Well at least the Balmorals don't some "pre-distressed" like so many leather jackets and denim jeans....that has got to be the silliest phenomena that I've ever seen.

My assorted nephews and nieces and the kids I work with pay large sums of money for jeans that look like they've been wearing them for years. I've never understood that. I will buy them stone washed so they're softer than new unwashed denim ordinarily is but I prefer to let the wear be normal and appropriate to me, not some designer's idea of where any holes or threadbare parts should be. I suppose that's the difference between being a kid and being 53.

When I was a teen many of my friends would go through a process similar to what you're is demonstrating here, Jock. They'd wear new jeans swimming or they'd put a little bleach (very little) in a bath tub and sit in it in their new jeans for a little while. They'd wear them wet for a bit, dry them, use a bit of sandpaper, beat on them with rocks and other things. In the end they'd have a garment that was new but customized and longer lasting than today's hideously expensive pre-mutilated jeans that are so popular now.

I don't know as I trust myself to try your technique, Jock, nor do I think I'd be able to make myself "abuse" something as dear as a Mackie bonnet (I'd be afraid of messing it up and ruining my investment!), but I certainly admire your technique and appreciate your sharing. If I ever have such a precious garment I'll probably take the safe route and let it age naturally. I know, no guts no glory, but I frequently feel glory is over-rated anyway.

Regards,

Brian

[BoldHighlander]

Great thread Jock, thanks!