Wambaugh, White, & Company Commutation Jacket Kit

[bsbaker]

Has anyone on here purchased one of these kits? And if so how did it turn out? (Obviously a Commutation Jacket) I know it depends on your individual sewing skills. But what I mean is with the finished product in your hand, did you feel as if you would have been better off purchasing a ready made jacket?

I guess this doesn't only apply to that company, so I'm open to anyone who's used any "jacket kits".

Sorry, one more thing. Please don't waste your time and mine if you're going to be rude. It's uncalled for and draws away from the intended purpose of the forum.

LEARNING

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I may be biased, since I am known for sewing Wambaugh kits, particularly CS issue shirts, but I've found all of their kits to be a complete value for the money, with the best printed directions (including many photographs), and their technical support is first rate. You can call Dan up during his posted hours and get great advice and guidance. Their kits have several benefits aside from saving money on a ready-made garment: 1. You learn to sew for yourself, providing a valuable skill. 2. You get top-notch materials, thread, buttons, and everything needed. 3. Even if you are a novice sewer, with their directions, you will learn. 4. The satisfaction of making your own things is probably greater than the satisfaction of saving money. 5. For the price of a sutler-row substandard garment (sometimes even less) you're getting a fully researched historical garment with much better materials and quality. Not only do I sew kits for W,W & Co as far as their shirts, I've bought about every kit they offer and wear them myself. In fact, right now I'm sewing a pair of SA Fed trousers for myself and am contemplating getting another Fed issue shirt kit now that they have dommet flannel back in stock. My advice, warranted or not, is to start out with their drawers kit, as it is the most simplistic, thereby learning the necessary stitches, and then get a trouser kit, and then move up to a jacket. Each one isn't necessarily harder or easier than another, but it allows you to gradually move up to garments that take longer to construct or have finer details such as jackets. I unabashedly endorse all of their kits (this commercial message brought to you by an uncompensated spokesperson).

[FloridaConfederate]

I would start with drawers. Canton flannel is much easier to learn on than jean from a fraying perspective. If your sewing isn't 100% yet it gives you a garment you can use yet his hidden from all but your most intimate of pards on those special nights.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Tis true, Chris, since I've definitely seen your drawers.

[Poor Private]

Woo Ross,
Too much information.:-D

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Luckily I've never seen him in them, I only sewed them!

[bsbaker]

Since you have purchased one of these kits, do you receive the six pieces to a size 48 jacket and trim down or is it sent the size you request?

The only reason I ask this is because it says add x amount of money over size 48. And It's 10pm so I can't call them.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

The kits are cut to the size you request. There is an additional charge for sizes over 48 due to the increased amount of material compared to a smaller size and the additional work expanding the pattern from the original.

[bsbaker]

Thanks you, your help has been informative.

[Green Minnesota SS]

I agree with Ross, on getting the drawers first then work on the jacket. That's what I did about a month ago. I ordered a drawers kit and a SA Fatigue Blouse Kit (which I am working on right now). I comes with plenty of thread and great directions. There are somethings you might scratch you head on but you should be able to figure it out, if not Dan gives you information to contact him for help.

But give yourself plenty of time. With working about 12 hour days, I have little time to do this. So right now would be the best time to get a kit with it being the offseason. I think this is the way to go. You get to learn how to hand sew the material correctly, have a better appreciation of the men and women sewing by hand (then and now), and you'll have a greater appreciation in yourself because now when you wear the jacket, you can tell your pards that the jacket was hand sewn all by you!