Jock's New Balmoral

[KFCarter]

Excellent...Great help, Jock!

I've got a bonnet that's too "new" and a bit too big. Now, to find a stream clean enough for the purpose!

[Jock Scot]

Excellent...Great help, Jock!

I've got a bonnet that's too "new" and a bit too big. Now, to find a stream clean enough for the purpose!

Actually you can use the bath, sink or just a bowl. I just happen to have a burn handy and it stops the usual war cry of, "Have you finished yet? I need that now!" type comments. Be careful with the shrinking process and if it is only a wee bit, then use cold water and time and don't be tempted to rush things.

If you have more than a wee bit to go and remember, there is only so much the thing will shrink, then after the cold water and time method has been tried then use WARM water, NOT HOT water and that might do the trick. Be warned, if you use hot water, the whole thing could shrink in all directions and your bonnet will go out of shape permanently.Failing all that; you should have an inverted "V" gap in your bonnet hidden by the bow. Yes? To close up your bonnet by, perhaps at best an inch, sew on some elastic tape on the inside of the bonnet on one side of the "V", close the "V" and sew the other side of the elastic to the other side of the "V" allowing the gap to expand when placed on the head. Failing all that and if all those suggestions don't work------- buy a smaller bonnet!

[KFCarter]

Actually you can use the bath, sink or just a bowl. I just happen to have a burn handy and it stops the usual war cry of, "Have you finished yet? I need that now!" type comments.

Oh, I'm all too familiar with that war cry!

[BoldHighlander]

Jock, when all's said & done would it be possible for a side-by-side comparison of the old bonnet & the new? I for one am curious.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, when all's said & done would it be possible for a side-by-side comparison of the old bonnet & the new? I for one am curious.

Will do. Although apart from being newer and less stained you do need to remember that this was a custom build and the diameter across the top was, I think made at my request, slightly smaller than the commercial bonnets. Perhaps Chris (Redshanks) will chip in with whether the "custom" option is available to all and not just this lucky chap!

[Redshank]

The Mackie produced Balmoral Bonnet comes in various headsizes, measurement being set buy the headband, but the actual bonnet part comes in a standard size, the options available are diced or plain headband, ribbons tie or loose.
Because I specifically went to Mackie's with a view to ensuring the best possible match to Jock's old bonnet, it was evident that the bonnet size had changed over the past 30 odd years, and they offered to make one up specially, so Jock's new bonnet is very bespoke.
But I am certain that as Mackie's hand produce every bonnet anything is possible, I can only ask.

[Standard]

Jock, thanks for the informative "article" on breaking in a new bonnet. I do hope that you will share a photo or two of the bonnet being worn so that we might all see the end result of your "loving" shaping of it.

[Cynthia]

What a handsome balmoral! Thanks for sharing this information.

[JSFMACLJR]

Because I specifically went to Mackie's with a view to ensuring the best possible match to Jock's old bonnet, it was evident that the bonnet size had changed over the past 30 odd .

This is very interesting. I've had a suspicion that the "bonnet part" has gotten bigger over the years, because all of our old bonnets look a little smaller topside, but now I know that it hasn't just been to age and shrinkage.

I wonder why the change?

[Redshank]

This is very interesting. I've had a suspicion that the "bonnet part" has gotten bigger over the years, because all of our old bonnets look a little smaller topside, but now I know that it hasn't just been to age and shrinkage.

I wonder why the change?

I think the answer is "Fashion"