USN Watch Cap Stencil

[bn1966]

Hello Gents,

I fancy a Navy Watch Cap with stencilling, like some of the Buzz Rickson items. Think I've got the stencil sorted, any thoughts on what spray or paint to use? I'm going to use an acrylic cap because wool itches the hell out of me

 

[SkyTurtle]

I remember being in boot camp using regular old fabric paint pens for stenciling. When we got our custom stencils we got a black one and a white one. Not sure if it would last the same on acrylic as it did on wool. I still have things in an old sea bag that are clearly stenciled after 20 years.

 

[SkyTurtle]

I had to go check out the Buzz Rickson site and that stuff looks incredibly authentic. Though we didn't stencil info on the outside of our watch caps (in the late 1980s) it brings back memories. Sea bags and the backs of work shirts and work jackets usually got the stencil, but the watch caps look pretty cool stenciled. We were issued the watch caps for the first half of boot camp, during which we were called "raisins" because looking at a company of recruits marching with their watch caps on they looked like raisins floating in the water. About midway through boot camp we switched to the dog bowl-shaped "white" hats. And since hats were always referred to as "covers", the watch caps were always called "raisin covers". Not that anyone would find any of this interesting.

 

[bn1966]

Thanks Sky Turtle

No, it is very interesting to hear about your experiences. The only time I've ever had anything written on / in my clothes, was my Mother marking my school clothes.

Current challenge is finding a decent acrylic Watch Cap / Cover to stencil. I'm going to try your fabric paint pen idea.

Cheers Lee