Quote Originally Posted by thescot View Post
I only wear my balmorals with the ribbons tied, even though they come with long, untied ribbons that are sewed together about three inches down from the sweat band. I pick the stitches loose, then carefully tie a bow at the back, tightening it to about 2-3 inches between the ends of the loops. (I use the same knot I use when tying a bow tie around my neck.) Then I cut the excess off, the loose ends that are longer than the end of the loops.

THEN I PUT A STITCH THROUGH THE KNOT SO THE THING STAYS THAT WAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. It is my understanding that the ribbon was originally threaded through the sweat band and used to fit the bonnet to the head of the wearer by tightening it up and than tying it, but that's for another discussion about the history of bonnets and such. Anyway, I came up seeing a bow at the back, and that's how I wear mine.
I only have one with loose ribbons. The rest have tied bows. I know about picking the stitches and tying the bow, but I just ordered them with a bow in the first place. I just adjust the bow if needed and put the stitch in to hold it in place.