Penannular brooches and the like

[Mr. MacDougall]

Can we get a photo of how a bodkin would be employed?

[Nick]

I'm big on authenticity, but I wear a penannular with my greatkilt, because it was the first thing I forged in my home smithy.

If you use a penannular, make sure the circle is big enough around to accommodate the fabric. Likewise, a bodkin must be long enough to keep the material from slipping. Penannulars are more secure, I think. They are the medieval version of the safety pin, just to early in period.

[Woodsheal]

Can we get a photo of how a bodkin would be employed?

When wearing an upper-body garment (waistcoat, jacket), pin it through the plaid fabric and the left shoulder of said garment:



When wearing the upper part of the plaid joined across your chest, just bring the ends together and jam the bodkin through:



The pin will open up the weaving of the wool and not damage it, same as with a modern kilt pin....

[Mr. MacDougall]

just bring the ends together and jam the bodkin through

How do you keep the pin from sliding through and being lost?