Made a Tam

[T-Bone]

I had saved these (Tam Construction) instructions a couple of months ago, waiting for a good time to make a tam. After watching Tunes of Glory the night before, I thought it was a good time to make it. Taking an old wool army blanket from the local surplus store and about an hour of my time, I turned out this tam.



After a little 'Jocking' it might be wearable in public. I am definitely going to take it camping this weekend.
These instructions make the construction remarkabley easy. From printing out the page to taking the pictures was probably an hour, if that.
I may have to make some for my daughters, as they all want to wear daddy's.
T

[greenfordranger]

Yeah, Looks GREAT! I may have to try my hand at that

[tulloch]

Thats really good! Congratulations. Nice look. Does it have a ribbon in it for correct fitting?

[T-Bone]

Thats really good! Congratulations. Nice look. Does it have a ribbon in it for correct fitting?

It does not, but after I soaked it in water to break it in, it has grown about half an inch around the hatband. It looks like I may have to put one in if it doesn't shrink back.

[BonnetMaker]

after I soaked it in water to break it in, it has grown about half an inch around the hatband. It looks like I may have to put one in if it doesn't shrink back.

You may be able to full it slightly to restore the size (and it can be a good way to settle in the bonnet and make it look like you've had it forever).

I'd test a scrap of the fabric first, just cut a square of a known size and chuck it in with your next load of laundry on a fairly gentle short cycle. When it comes out, see how the fabric handles and how much it has shrunk by.

If you are happy that the shrinkage and 'fluffing up' of the fabric is appropriate for the look you are after, treat the whole tam to the same treatment. People often think fulling is just for knitted bonnets, but it can be done very successfully with cloth ones as well and can give very useful results.

[T-Bone]

Thanks, I will give that a try. After I made it I did some research on felting wool. I guess it is as easy as running it through the wash from hot to cold. I still have 90% of the wool blanket left, so I may make another for the cold and rainy season. Felt a large piece of the wool, then cut out the patterns. This way it is preshrunk. I might as well throw some dye into the mix too.
T

[Really a McQueen]

Now I have to check the surplus store for an old woolen blanket suitable for conversion. Or cheat, and use polar fleece.

[Eleazar]

Looks great!

I've got to try this.

[KiltedDixon]

Well done.

[T-Bone]

Thanks for the compliments.

Polar fleece works.
I made two for my daughters: