No.5 mess rank braid: stitching style?

Everyone Uniform and Drill
1

Whilst perhaps still considering that I’ll probably end-up having this done by a skilled professional, has anyone here got insight as to how mess braid is meant to be physically sewn-on? I’m assuming not through the face of the braid itself, by machine, as done for No.1s, with standard dark braid?

Is it an external wraparound stitch? Gold or clear thread?

And, as an information-only query… is there such a thing a composite mess braid? Or is the braid for eg Sqn Ldr applied as three distinct ribbons (Plt Off between two Fg Offs, if you’d pardon the picture)

Thanks all
wilf_san

2

Three distinct ribbons. When I got mine rebraided, I was told that if the Flt Lt braid did not match the new Plt Off braid, they would charge me for whole new set; at £10 per ring of braid per sleeve. Luckily it did!!

3

Thanks romeo bravo. And is each ring machine-stitched on through the face of the braid, top and bottom? Or is each ring loop-stitched, sewn on by hand, such that the stitches are hidden?

It’s just that seeing the braid itself, the complex gold weave might be able to cope with either technique.

Only one’ll be right, though. And I guess it’s by hand, hidden stitched.

wilf_san

4

[quote=“wilf_san” post=23746]Thanks romeo bravo. And is each ring machine-stitched on through the face of the braid, top and bottom? Or is each ring loop-stitched, sewn on by hand, such that the stitches are hidden?

It’s just that seeing the braid itself, the complex gold weave might be able to cope with either technique.

Only one’ll be right, though. And I guess it’s by hand, hidden stitched.

wilf_san[/quote]

The answer depends on your wallet and pride in appearance - in short hand stitched 2% Gold Lace is the ‘proper’ way to go.

I have seen machine sticthed and it looks gash.

However, the obtaining, tailoring and wearing of Mess Dress over No 4, is an effort in itself and this should be applauded.

Composite Gold Lace? I have not seen (and hope to never see) such a thing! :sick: :wink:

Out of interest - do you wear Sewn on Fabric or Gilt VR(T) identifiers?

5

Take it to your nearest military station and ask the station tailor to do it.

I got re ranking and medals mounted for less than £50 at Cranwell.

6

Mine was machine stitched, it looks to just under one mm from the edge of the braid.
[attachment=222]IMG_3938.jpg[/attachment]

7

The manner in which it is done is not the issue it is the tools used and the quality of the braid. Ultimately the better the quality the thinner the needle that is required. The reason is the braid, if too big a needle is used, will be perminatly deformed and will not settle. The lower quality braids have more of a material quality and thus relax back over the stitching with time.

Personally on the Pin or embodied VRT front, as an observer, I would stick with the pins until someone starts selling these in a smaller size. They do it for one of the 3 letters (The R) just need the rest!

8

:ohmy:

For many of us there is no ‘nearest military station’.

OK, I’m sure there is, but it’s so far away that the cost of getting to and from the tailor’s would be roughly equivalent to buying a new No.5 jacket…

9

Easy solution then, use Hobson Group (AKA Turner Virr). All you do it send it to them by post they do the job and then send it back.

10

Yep, Turner Virr have been cracking in the past - a VERY long time since I last needed their services, however.

11

Agree with the above. They have a factory in North Yorkshire just off the M62. I dropped some No1’s and medals off for re-ranking, mounting and to have belt hooks put on. Delivered back to me within a week. The medals aren’t mounted there though. They send them to T&V at Cranwell on their works van that goes twice a week.

12

I always machine stitch No5 braid the same way that No1 braid is done, and I’ve always seen it done that way by every other tailor.
Plenty of happy customers and no complaints thus far.