Patterns

[Burnsville]

Where is a good place to procure patterns for CS grments? I know County Cloth has them, but what I am looking for is a double breasted frock pattern.


Thanks,

C. Davis

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Homespun Patterns, available through James Country Mercantile.

[rbruno68]

In my humble opinion, there is no such thing as a double breasted frock coat pattern unless it is drafted for you. Frock coats at the time were fitted garments, and a commercial pattern will not give you this look unless you are an exact body size and style for which the pattern was drafted. I would suggest contact someone like Jim Ruley or some of the other vendors who custom draft frock coat patterns based on period techniques.
Rob

[goatgirl]

I second the suggestion for Jim Ruley’s patterns.

[modelf85]

Contact needle and thread in gettysburg. Their number is: 7173344011

They have a lot of Charlie Childs' patterns and some others as well. I just purchased from this this past weekend mule ear trousers pattern, Civilian single breasted frock pattern, hollyday shirt pattern, drawers pattern, and a bunch of fabric and buttons. (I grew out of my federal kid so Im sewing myself a new confederate/civilian one)

[Bill_Cross]

While I am all for seeing fellers pick up a needle & thread, I should caution that some patterns are not quite like Simplicity. Charlie Childs' patterns are very authentic, but not well-instructed. If you have not done much sewing, I would not recommend starting out with something too complicated. A Federal Issue Shirt, for example, is quite doable, as are drawers, etc. A sack coat before a frock coat, which as has been pointed out, was a fitted garment and not an issue item.

Again, I don't mean to be discouraging, just want to caution someone before they spend a lot of money and end up with an unuasable bag of fabric. I have seen some pretty awful home-made uniforms in my day.... :(

[GrantsButcher]

I have a question. I bought a C.Childs pattern of the RD2. Now, when you cut out the pattern, do you make allowances outside the lines or do you cut and then sew based on the established lines?

Does that make sense?

Gaetano Jovanisci

[goatgirl]

You cut and sew based on the established lines.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

While I am all for seeing fellers pick up a needle & thread, I should caution that some patterns are not quite like Simplicity. Charlie Childs' patterns are very authentic, but not well-instructed. If you have not done much sewing, I would not recommend starting out with something too complicated. A Federal Issue Shirt, for example, is quite doable, as are drawers, etc. A sack coat before a frock coat, which as has been pointed out, was a fitted garment and not an issue item.

Again, I don't mean to be discouraging, just want to caution someone before they spend a lot of money and end up with an unuasable bag of fabric. I have seen some pretty awful home-made uniforms in my day.... :(

Oh how right you are Mr. Cross. I look back and cringe whenever I think about my first work (which I keep around as a reminder of just how far I've gone). When a couple folks who knew better than me what period sewing looked like saw my first work , they said, "wow, that looks like monkey butt". They were right. Start simple, with drawers, and work your way up to shirts and trousers, and from there the sky is the limit if you have strong fingers and a weak mind, and can stand constructive (and destructive) criticism.

[Guy Gane III]

Oh how right you are Mr. Cross. I look back and cringe whenever I think about my first work (which I keep around as a reminder of just how far I've gone). When a couple folks who knew better than me what period sewing looked like saw my first work , they said, "wow, that looks like monkey butt". They were right. Start simple, with drawers, and work your way up to shirts and trousers, and from there the sky is the limit if you have strong fingers and a weak mind, and can stand constructive (and destructive) criticism.

Awesome. lol

[Grabenkater]

I found that Mr.Childs RD pattern is drafted for someone that is below average height. I am 188cm tall and I had to add length to get the fit that I needed. With that said, I will also agree that unless you have experience or someone that is experienced at sewing, his patterns are hard to follow.