RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 6, 2022 5:51:55 GMT -7
A muslin! Somewhere in my brain I knew that! Makes total sense, and gives me confidence.
A muslin. Huh.
I think the greatcoat in “Tidings…” seems totally achievable. Just a LOT of material to purchase and manage.
Spence, I’m hand sewing just for the experience of it. I’m finding that I truly enjoy it and each line of stitches gets better. I’m not doing this for anyone but me, but I totally get where you’re coming from in your post below and I’m the other thread. I’m an experiential learner and take enjoyment in creating authentic things. I’m no “stitch counter”, but fell in with the highly authentic “campaigner” type back in the early 2000s. That group was mostly doing things for themselves, but was largely driven by a very great number of ACW reenactors presenting questionable history to the public. Tony Horowitz actually has a pretty good ethnological look at the type in his book “Confederates in the Attic.”
Anyway… If I come across as some snob, my apologies. I’m really not. I just enjoy creating things in PC ways, thinking about how things were and how they looked. I’ll be buying off-the-rack breeches and waistcoat soon, and I’ll be totally fine with the machine-sewn construction.
But I will work the buttonholes. Just because it makes me happy. 🤓
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 6, 2022 14:09:31 GMT -7
Back to the frock. I know this is supposed to work, and millions of shirts have been made over centuries… but until you do it the first time and see it all pull together… you don’t realize just how cool it is. And why hand-sewn shirts cost what they do. What has me giggling? 6 inches of Gathers! This linen is pretty heavy… 7.1oz. So I can’t get things as small as on a fine shirt. But damn if it didn’t come together. First dozen stitches you’re thinking “Oh this collar is going to fall off…” But then you snug up. And sew the inside. And sure as schnitzel, the collar is attached and you have handsome little gathers. Nifty! 😎
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Post by paranger on Jun 6, 2022 14:13:37 GMT -7
Very nice job!
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Post by brokennock on Jun 6, 2022 16:14:44 GMT -7
Back to the frock. I know this is supposed to work, and millions of shirts have been made over centuries… but until you do it the first time and see it all pull together… you don’t realize just how cool it is. And why hand-sewn shirts cost what they do. What has me giggling? 6 inches of Gathers! View AttachmentThis linen is pretty heavy… 7.1oz. So I can’t get things as small as on a fine shirt. But damn if it didn’t come together. First dozen stitches you’re thinking “Oh this collar is going to fall off…” But then you snug up. And sew the inside. And sure as schnitzel, the collar is attached and you have handsome little gathers. Nifty! 😎 You're hired....
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 6, 2022 16:40:05 GMT -7
Back to the frock. I know this is supposed to work, and millions of shirts have been made over centuries… but until you do it the first time and see it all pull together… you don’t realize just how cool it is. And why hand-sewn shirts cost what they do. What has me giggling? 6 inches of Gathers! <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> This linen is pretty heavy… 7.1oz. So I can’t get things as small as on a fine shirt. But damn if it didn’t come together. First dozen stitches you’re thinking “Oh this collar is going to fall off…” But then you snug up. And sew the inside. And sure as schnitzel, the collar is attached and you have handsome little gathers. Nifty! 😎 You're hired.... Check your PMs.
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Post by spence on Jun 6, 2022 16:49:02 GMT -7
Anyway… If I come across as some snob, my apologies. I’m really not. I just enjoy creating things in PC ways, thinking about how things were and how they looked. You don't, never have, and I never meant to imply anything like that. "creating things in PC ways" is what I call learning the old skills, a very important part of our efforts. I share your pleasure in making things by hand, and I get extra spice from using anything I've made, whether clothing or gear. Or food. My approach to re-enacting is frequently out of sync with the great unwashed herd, but I understand I'm the outlier, and any discussions of our differences is simply my trying to understand the other fellow's point of view. It's a no-fault effort on my part. As an example, recent mention was made of putting a patch on something to make it appear well used. That would work, and in some situations would be appropriate, but it wouldn't work for me in my situation. For me, patches on holes resulting from hard use are something to be proud of, but if I put on a fake patch to create a certain look I'd be cheating myself, something I work hard to avoid. It's perfectly fine with me if the other fellow is OK with it, that's his business. I do admit that there is an element to re-enacting which I find off-putting. Some go at it as though it's performance art, as though they are on parade just to be seen, and the look is the most important part. Sometimes it seems that is all there is to their involvement. They seem to be doing it for personal gratification, looking for praise for their efforts. I can't get my head around that approach. Spence
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Post by spence on Jun 6, 2022 17:36:03 GMT -7
But I will work the buttonholes. Just because it makes me happy. 🤓 Then you need to make a waistcoat and breeches. They certainly made me happy, with a plethora of buttonholes. Happy that I finished them. My first sewing projects. Breeches: Spence
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Post by spence on Jun 6, 2022 17:38:46 GMT -7
My button-rich waistcoat: Spence
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 6, 2022 18:36:45 GMT -7
We’re on the same page, Spence re:some reenactors.
I’d love to do a waistcoat. That looks like great fun. Truly. Button holes are like wrapping guides on a fine bamboo rod. Or tying a dozen dozen size 14 Adams. Ya get into a groove and enjoy the process.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
Buttonhole.
😎
I’m looking for a good 1740s-1750s waistcoat pattern. Long enough and with a straight front. Haven’t quite found it yet.
For some reason I’m not keen on making breeches.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 7, 2022 9:07:35 GMT -7
Collar on… and it now sorta looks like a shirt. I know this is old hat for everyone, but I’m just happy as can be that this is coming together so we’ll for me. Thanks for humoring my incessant posts.
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Post by paranger on Jun 7, 2022 9:32:47 GMT -7
Looks really good! And I dare say not old hat for everyone by any means.
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Post by Black Hand on Jun 7, 2022 12:05:45 GMT -7
Collar on… and it now sorta looks like a shirt.  I know this is old hat for everyone, but I’m just happy as can be that this is coming together so we’ll for me. Thanks for humoring my incessant posts. Looks like a perfectly respectable shirt.
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Post by brokennock on Jun 7, 2022 13:45:19 GMT -7
Looking good. And certainly not old hat for me.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 7, 2022 13:57:01 GMT -7
I study construction and craft methods when I’m making something. I’ve stitched some leather over the years, but this is my first made object with fabric. The difference to me is pretty profound in concept. With leather, your joining two pieces with a stitch in a dissimilar material. Two things connected by something else is the result. In sewing fabric - when done by hand with small, tight stitches - you're sorta creating a continuous piece of material, where the thread becomes a part of the whole and disappears when done well.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 8, 2022 14:42:43 GMT -7
Working on this off and on all day… almost have a sleeve complete…
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