Balmoral Ribbon Tying ?

[Mickey]

My wife convinced me that I look good in a balmoral so I finally got one. Before I jock this mother, is there a "right" way to tie the ribbons? I've been trying and can't get a bow to look decent. Given that I can barely tie my shoes, pics would be helpful. Is there an old tutorial somewhere out there? Been searching, but haven't found anything.

[T-Bone]

I had the same problem when I found out they were supposed to be tied. After tying them, I did not like the look of the wide ribbon tied in a bow. I finally decided to lop them off, but it looked too plain. I tied a leather thong into a bow and sewed it on.

up close

I'm sure there are other ways to do it.

[chrisupyonder]

I just cut mine off and left it. How about a clip on bow tie sewn on if ya must have a bow.

Chris.

[flyrod6057]

You could pick up a length of black grosgrain ribbon at any fabric store and have a bow that looks like it belongs, all for a buck or two.

[piperdbh]

Take the hat to your local flower shop and get someone there to tie you a good bow, then run a couple of stitches' worth of thread through it to hold the bow in shape.

[Mickey]

I actually like the ribbons untied, but I'm told that it doesn't really work for me. I'm probably going to end up just cutting them off, but I would really like to know if there is a traditional way to tie them, and if there is, at least learn how to do it.

[thescot]

It's really not hard, just takes a little tinkering. And, you will need to trim the ends once you're done. It's just like tying a bow tie under your chin.

Tie a top-over-bottom first and pull tight, just like you would if you were starting out to tie your shoes. proceed like this:



When you're done, pull the loops very tight and then pull the loose ends out until the loop-to-loop measure is about 2 1/2-3" max. Just get the look you like, and then you can cut the extra ends sticking out on the bias, the same bias that comes with the bonnet.

I like to see a bonnet with the ribbons tied, and it only takes a minimum of tinkering to get it right. BTW: some bonnets come with the ribbons sewn together about 3" down, and you may have to get a seam ripper and take that out first. When you're all done, put a stitch or two of matching thread through the whole thing to keep it tied in place. And don't worry if the bow is not 100% straight and even; it will add character.

Show us a picture when you're done. Here's one of me trying the ribbon on a new bonnet a while back (some stinking low life stole my bonnet shortly after I got it.)

Here I rip the thread out from between the ribbons


tying the robbon and getting the sides even



The ends will be uneven and too long when done


Then I trim the ends to be even with the bow; note the bias cut to the left


This is a side shot

[thescot]

Here's the bow on a salty old bonnet I wear. It's not really pink; it's faded green, but the artificial light was playing tricks on the camera.



You can tell that this one has been ragged around, tossed, and generaly abused to add the years of character. The stitch through the knot doesn't show quite so obscenely in real light either.

[flyrod6057]

I just received my AWESOME new bonnet from Redshanks, ordered with the knot already tied to avoid hair pulling and swearing and whatnot. Man, I love that fawn-and-lovat green dicing! I put a few stitches through the bow for security's sake. I'd love to post a picture (nothing actually happens without pics, I know...) but it's currently in my "mini-burn" which looks remarkably like a 2 gallon bucket in the bathtub.

When I get the thing wrangled into a publicly acceptable shape, I'll post pics.

This for thescot: Where'd you get that most excellent USMC cap badge?? That would look tremendous on a retired Gunnery Sergeant...

[Mickey]

After much trial and error, I wound up getting something I can deal with, at least for the weekend.



Added a pin that will work nicely with my Leatherneck kilt.



And I'm ready for public display. Not that the world wants to see this mug wandering around the games.



I had time to give it one good soak and forming. Next week I'll be able to give it a proper beating. Thanks guys! And scot, I also really love your pin. Where did you find it? I've only seen the bronze EGA ones and don't really care for them.