Cutting of length of jean britches

[rebelyell62]

Good mornin' all, you too Billy Yank :-)
I have a pair of sutler grade jean britches that are in need of cutting.
My question is.....If I cut them for length without hemming them,will I drastically reduce the service life because of fraying?

[flattop32355]

Depends upon whether you like the ragged pants look or not. I've seen some Rebs with trowsers so frayed you'd think the supply system forget them.

[huntdaw]

Why would you not want to hem them? They did historically. Are you trying to duplicate a certain look or impression that would call for unhemmed trousers or just save some time and effort?

[TimKindred]

Good mornin' all, you too Billy Yank :-)
I have a pair of sutler grade jean britches that are in need of cutting.
My question is.....If I cut them for length without hemming them,will I drastically reduce the service life because of fraying?

Comrade,

Why cut them at all? There are numerous images of soldiers of both sides who have simply rolled up their trousers to get the length they require.

Tempting as it is to have a nicely tailored uniform, issue clothing simply wasn't filled in that manner, and few soldiers were willing to take on the time and expense to "tailor" their clothing if it was within a reasonable fit.

Just roll up those puppies. You'll be good to go.

Respects,

[tompritchett]

I have a pair of sutler grade jean britches that are in need of cutting.
My question is.....If I cut them for length without hemming them,will I drastically reduce the service life because of fraying?

If you are an enlisted man, why don't you do what an enlisted man would have done back then, just roll up the legs until they are the right length. Who sayes every enlisted man got issued pants that had the exactly right waist size and pants length.

[jademonkey]

Depends upon whether you like the ragged pants look or not. I've seen some Rebs with trowsers so frayed you'd think the supply system forget them.

Cool, could you post those photos? Thanks,

[flattop32355]

Cool, could you post those photos? Thanks,

Speaking of the reenactor brand of reb, at events, not the real thing. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

[jademonkey]

Speaking of the reenactor brand of reb, at events, not the real thing. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

Ah, say no more.

[GaWildcat]

And keep in mind that to the soldier's mind, uniforms came in only 'too' sizes...... too big and too small. I think it was Billings (Ill have to check as soon as I can get 'pard' to return my copy of H & C) who mentioned men swapping around thier uniform parts untill they found a good fit. But then that is hearsay right now untill I can confirm it!

[tompritchett]

And keep in mind that to the soldier's mind, uniforms came in only 'too' sizes...... too big and too small. I think it was Billings (Ill have to check as soon as I can get 'pard' to return my copy of H & C) who mentioned men swapping around thier uniform parts untill they found a good fit. But then that is hearsay right now untill I can confirm it!

I actually take that into account when I have ordered pants in the past. My legs are short for my waist size even with modern pants (37" x 29"). Consequently, I have always requested that the maker add at least two additional inches to the legs. My original pants still have to be rolled, but unfortunately, the legs in my current pants have shrunk to the point that they no longer have to be rolled (the waist stayed the same though ??). Remember, if you truly want to be authentic enlisted men, your clothes should not always fit you as if they were tailor-made, because back then they weren't! (Of course, then you have to convince the uniform maker to deliberately make the item not to fit. That is in itself a whole other issue.)

[easttnfed]

I would have to agree with the majority on this one. Roll up the pants. I get my trousers a size or two larger than what I really need also. They are more comfortable this way also. I am normally a size 32 waist but when I purchase or make my own clothing, I generally get a size 34 or 36. I can always wear a pair of braces, a belt, or gather them up on the sides with a couple of whip stitches and be good to go. You'll be amazed at how much warmer you are during those cold events also when there is more room in your trouser legs, along with your period underwear.