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Step 1.) My personal choice for a beret is a Bancroft. They produce a high quality beret that is easy to shape.
Step 2.) The first thing you want to do is cut out the liner. This makes it easier to shape, and cooler during the summer months. You can leave the front reinforcement if you want. However, some use and old credit card cut in a similar shape and held in place by the unit crest or officer insignia.
Step 3.) You will now want the shave your beret. The best way to do this is to use an electric razor. You will want to continue shaving your beret every month or so until it doesn't fuzz.
Step 4.) Now we are ready to shape it. Take two pots of water, one cold, and one hot. Holding the beret by the leather headband, dip the beret into the hot water. Once the beret is soaked then remove it and place into the cold water. Repeat this process three or four times, until the beret feels stiff.
Step 5.) Ring the water out of the beret and put it on your head. Start with your hand on the left side and start stretching the beret over to the right.
Step 6.) Then start creating the fold over in the front of the beret. The fold should cover about 1/2 of the flash (the patch sewn on a beret).
Step 7.) Pull the beret forward and create a ridge between your head and the flash.
Step 8.) Wear the beret until it is dry then remove it. Be sure to sew on the flash so that it sits over the left eye. The headband should rest two fingers above the eyebrows and ears.
Step 10.) Once the beret is fitted then tie the strings and cut then down to one inch, fold in half, and sew to the headband. |
