How to sew an aiguillette: step by step instructions

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

Axelbant is one of the components of the full dress military uniform. This element additionally decorates the latter, emphasizes becoming its owner. But how to sew an aglet? Among other things, we will analyze the process in detail in this article.

What is an aiguillette?

Before we figure out how to properly sew an aiguillette to a military uniform, let's reveal what it is for readers who have encountered this concept for the first time.

The hero of our story is part of the solemn military uniform. These are cords intertwined with each other, which are wrapped around a golden or silver thread, decorated with small metal tips. Such an element is attached either to the uniform or to the tunic.

The origin of the word is German: Achsel - "armpit", Band - "cord", "ribbon".

How to sew an aiguillette on a uniform is most often interesting for cadets, young military men. Let's move on to the description of this process.

You will need…

Before you sew the aiguillette on the form, you must first prepare the following:

• cords;
• golden (silver) gimp;
• metal tips;
• actually the jacket itself.

Is everything in place? Let's get started!

How to sew an aiguillette on a tunic

This attribute is located exactly on the right side of the military uniform. Accordingly, it is hemmed under the right shoulder strap. But there are a number of exceptions to this rule - in some parts, the aiguillette is worn on the left side.

We act as follows:

1. Place the edge of the first cord 5 mm from the edge of the shoulder strap (the one closest to the sleeve).
2. Thus, in order to fix the aiguillette, you must first rip off the shoulder strap from the fabric of the tunic or uniform exactly half. Then you secure the lace with a few stitches. Then you need to carefully sew back the torn part of the shoulder strap.
3. The first lace must pass under the sleeve.
4. How to sew a whole aiguillette? The rest of the cords are attached with a decorative metal lapel cap.
5. Let's move on. To fasten the interlaced cords under the lapel, a button is sewn under the latter, or simply a loop of thread, fabric, or lace. The difficulty is that this element should not peek out from under the lapel - both with and without aiguillette.

Who wears aiguillettes?

According to the military regulations, they are required to wear this attribute of a military uniform:

• Participants of army ceremonial processions.
• Members of the military band.
• Soldiers in the guard of honor.

Axilbants are not traditionally Russian elementsmilitary uniform. You can see them on the uniform, tunic of officers of a large number of armies of the world.

It is also known that already demobilized servicemen decorate their uniforms with homemade aiguillette in honor of any holidays. Most often, this decoration is white.

Sometimes aiguillettes are worn and not only by military officials. For example, theater and film actors. Also, people whose hobby is the reconstruction, restoration of historical costumes, including military ones, are interested in how to sew an aiguillette on a tunic. But in this case, it is best to turn to archival documents if you want to accurately restore the uniform of that era. Perhaps in a certain country, in a certain period of history, there were other rules for fixing and arranging these attributes.

As for the division by rank, high-ranking officials, such as generals, are required to wear golden aiguillettes. The military of a lower rank wear silver elements of this type. Or aiguillettes, which are prescribed by a more private military charter.

Interesting facts about aiguillette

So we figured out how to sew an aiguillette on a tunic. Finally, we want to introduce you to a number of interesting facts about him:

• The first aiguillettes appeared in the 17th century in Western Europe.
• According to legend, this form element was originally an object used to measure distances on a map. But instead of decorative tips there were sharpened pencils - with the help of them they recorded the clarified testimony.
• As an attributemilitary uniform aiguillette appeared during the war between Spain and the Netherlands. The inhabitants of the latter defended their independence. Death or freedom - the proud Dutch left no other choice for themselves. And the aiguillette was a symbol that frightened the enemy - the warrior showed that he would make himself a loop for hanging from these cords himself, if only not to become defeated, a slave of the Spaniards. And according to some information, this attribute was completely pieces of rope taken from the gallows.
• But historians offer another interesting version. Axelbants appeared as a decorative replacement for the wick skein that the military threw over their shoulders. It was essential for the once-relevant matchlock muskets.

Axelbant in Russia

Axilbants came to our country in 1762. It was the insignia of the infantry troops of the musketeer and grenadier battalions. The officers wore an attribute with silver-plated, gilded threads. In 1917 it was abolished. The aiguillette returned to the Soviet army in 1971. It was an adornment of military personnel in the guard of honor, the orchestra, the parade crew of the Moscow garrison.

Today there are two types of aiguillette in our country:

• For officers (including marshals, admirals, generals) - yellow, with two braided ends, iron tip.
• For soldiers, sailors, sergeants, foremen - white, with one braided end, yellow tip.

How to sew on an aiguillette, you now know. As well as the history of this attribute of military uniforms.