Cotton City Columbus Depot Jacket

[PaulJ]

Hi,
I'm posting this here as I can't seem to post in the 'Other Vendor' forum. Just wanted to say a big (public) thank-you to Becky Nall of Cotton City:-

http://www.geocities.com/cottoncityala/CottCity.htm

for a Jones type Columbus Depot jacket now gratefully received. Becky told me she managed to make a detailed study of the jacket (held at the Vicksburg NMP but not on public display) and the copy is complete with details such as brown top-stitching, no top-stitching on the cuff trim and a contrasting gray Cassimere with brown warp lining the collar - peculiar to the Jones jacket - exactly as it looks on her and Tom's website. She used Ben Tart's #5 Jean vegetable dyed cloth (I believe) which is light-grey but will eventually change colour to a dirty khaki. Communication was great and she got it to me in the agreed time. Incidentally she is quite busy right now but is taking orders! I also got some of Ben Tart's script I buttons from her (not for this jacket) which were very nice indeed - with crisper detail than I've seen before.

Regards, Paul Jonsson. (England, UK)

PS- Also received a County Cloth made (63rd Tenessee type) Tait jacket not so long ago - (with the Infantry faced collar and epaulettes) which is unsurprisingly a stunner too! :)

Moderators - please feel free to direct this post to 'Other Vendors' but I couldn't seem to post there.

[Vicksburg Dave]

How did she make her "detailed study" of the Jones jacket, the only vendor I am aware of that made an on-site detailed study of the jacekt is the person from Galla Rock? Did your vendor examine the jacket in person, or did she rework the Galla Rock pattern? Moreover, Tart's trim is a poor substitute for the orginal on the Jones Jacket, Tart's is not as tightly woven and fades too quickly, the originial was much more colorfast.

[PaulJ]

Hi Dave,
she and her husband (to my best knowledge) made their own study of the jacket, taking detailed measurements and photographs which she refers back to each time when making a jacket. She specifically only makes jackets that she has personally studied, hence the limited range that she does. She did say that the (female) Curator was very protective and not easy to get past and she did have some trouble getting access to the jacket which is apparently well looked after - but not on public display (or at least wasn't at the time of her viewing). The trim on the jacket is Ben Tart's indigo dyed (I was referring to the main body of the jacket - not the trim) so unlike the main body should be quite colour-fast I think? It seems pretty tightly woven to me. I guess when she looked at the jacket she forgot to keep you informed! ;)

Best regards, Paul Jonsson. (England, UK) :)

[Chad Teasley]

Hmmm...Having had the pleasure of doing business with Mrs. Nall in the past, and given her long-standing sterling reputation based on lengthy and outstanding service to the authentic arm of our hobby, I'd be inclined to believe that if she says she examined the Jones jacket...Then she certainly did so. :)

In fact, I do believe Paul is correct in stating that EVERY uniform item she creates is a reproducton of a period piece which she has personally examined in detail.

Plus which, she's just about the absolute sweetest person to talk to in the entire world. :)

[coastaltrash]

Dave,
She studied it before Galla Rock had a chance to do it. Ask Rick the story about it.

[unclefrank]

Looks like some nice stuff there.

[C. Hyson]

I have purchased from Cotton City before and was told by Becky the same information as Paul, namely that each piece that they choose to sell is one that they have done personal research on.

[DougCooper]

If Becky is taking orders again that is great news indeed. She and Tom are quite a team but have had some very serious life challenges, from hurricanes to family health issues that would defeat the best of us. They are a great couple!

They were the first to personally examine the Murphree jacket and produce it using the correct fabric. They also use the correct fabric on the John Blair Royall jacket (satinet). They do indeed personally examine and make detailed patterns of each garment. Their stuff is outstanding.

They also have some very interesting theories on the Alabama commutation and then depot system as it relates to Murphree, Gilmore, Mystery and other jackets.

[coastaltrash]

Might want to also note for the new members here that Mrs. Nall is great but she is not one of the people that can have you a coat in 3 days like some people expect. She is much like Duvall with leather work, it's well worth the wait.

[26NCT]

I have to echo what's been said here about Mrs. Nall's work. About 5 years ago, I ordered a pair or Richmond Depot style trousers from her. At that time, someone in her family was in the hospital. She had called me and told me what was going on and that she was working on the trousers at the hospital. I told her my trousers weren't that important and to hold off till everything had worked it self out. It took awhile (not as long as I had really thought) but well worth it. I'm trying to remember the actual amount of time, but after so many years I can't remember exact dates. But the trousers have held up extremely well. They were well worth the wait.

[Vicksburg Dave]

"<i>Dave,
She studied it before Galla Rock had a chance to do it. Ask Rick the story about it.</I><P>
I remember them now! They are the ones who promised to make a jacket for park before they ever made any copies for the public, and they did not keep their promise. At least Galla Rock, after making excuse after excuse, finally sent us copies of the patterns they sell. <P>
This my friends, is why vendors have difficulty gaining access to important items, too many people make all kinds of promises to gain access, then forget them once they get what they want.

[DougCooper]

"<i>Dave,
She studied it before Galla Rock had a chance to do it. Ask Rick the story about it.</I><P>
I remember them now! They are the ones who promised to make a jacket for park before they ever made any copies for the public, and they did not keep their promise. At least Galla Rock, after making excuse after excuse, finally sent us copies of the patterns they sell. <P>
This my friends, is why vendors have difficulty gaining access to important items, too many people make all kinds of promises to gain access, then forget them once they get what they want.

Dave - sure you have the right folks? Contact me off line and I will detail the extraordinary challenges this couple have gone through just to be alive, let alone making uniforms at all.

[boreguard]

I've come to know Tom and Becky very well over the last 10 plus years and my wife and I consider them personal friends. Their skills combined produce an awesome outcome. Tom & Becky made reference to finishing Paul's jacket on several of my visits to their home, and I know they were as glad to finish it as you were to get it Paul.

Tom and Becky have had to quit taking orders and were working to finish the ones they had. Some very major health issues have forced Tom and Becky to this decision.

Since recreating certain types of Confederate Jackets was their hobby and passion, they hate to turn away request for these coats as much as some of you hate to miss a round of golf, a weekend deer hunting, or attending a reenactment ! But a life threatning illness would change all that for most.

Maybe the NPS at Vicksburg could appreciate this from a different perspective, maybe not.

[Spinster]

Often folks fail to perceive the life challenges of others, especially if they have not spent the time with the folks in question. Some folks assume the best of folks, others start off assuming the worst.

I have missed Becky's sweet (and bawdy) singing voice on many occassions during recent years. Years ago, sitting beside her while she sewed in a brigade meeting, I finally figured out why my buttonholes looked liked pig's eyes, and remedied that problem. She and Tom have experienced life challanges of astounding magnitude, and still turn out immpecable work.

I'm glad the Park got the jacket patterns from Galla Rock as well--they may rest assured that there are plenty more of them in the area. I know this because Sherry gave me an armload of them, along with trouser and shirt patterns, just weeks after Katrina, as we worked to make and distribute items for folks who had lost their kits in the flooding.

[PaulJ]

Hi,
I will post some links to some pictures of the jackets for those interested (just started a photobucket account - seems easy enough - unless this doesn't work!):-

Becky Nall's Jones type Columbus:-

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1875.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1876.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1877.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1878.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1882.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1884.jpg

Something I noticed on the Galla Rock website study of the original jacket:-

http://www.gallarock.com/AOT.html

was a reference to how the (hand) stitching from the interior sleeve end where it attach's the slleve lining shows through on the outside cuff trim of the original jacket about 3/4" from the bottom (from Galla Rock website "Cuff View-attached not laid on, and though not visible in photo, the interior stitching of the self facing shows
through onto the outside of cuff 3/4" from bottom") - I then noticed this on Becky's jacket (you have to look hard, it won't show on a photo) - some attention to detail! The jacket came with Eagle I buttons.
Incidentally, when I spoke to her on 22nd August she said she was taking orders (unless that's changed since), an e-mail to her will clear up the latest situation if you are thinking of ordering.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will also post some links to pictures of the County Cloth (63rd Tenn "Taylor" type) Tait jacket for those interested as this is a variation that Mr Childs does not currently have illustrated on his website. Mr Childs supplied the jacket with Script I buttons and Eagle I's on the epaulettes (what he had in stock at the time). He said that the actual jacket (that he told me did survive Katrina thankfully) has Peter Tait marked Block I (that's what he said!) buttons on the front and epaulettes, not script I, presumably they would be lined import type Block I's. As I can't source them I replaced the buttons with a full set of Ben Tart's particularly nice Script I's that I understand he has exclusive rights for (marked "Superior Quality" and from Waterbury Becky tells me - she carries his buttons by the way) - but added these after the photos were taken. As I've asked before if anyone has access to any pictures of the original jacket it would great to see them! :tounge_sm

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1802.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1805.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1806.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1807.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee300/icebreaker41/DSCF1808.jpg


Regards, Paul Jonsson. (England, UK) :)

[Secesh]

So...you will be getting these jackets dirty, I hope??? :o

[26th NC]

Reference Cotton City, they are just great! Becky made me a great pair of trousers 4 years ago that are now not just well worn, but still going strong. I have several trousers from very reputable vendors and hers were unbeatable.

Sorry to hear of the health problems, but couple that with Katrina and you spell major disaster. therefore it is understandable they are not taking orders. I hope they start up again in the future because I want another set of trousers and jacket from them. I wondered why their site had not been updated with a new phone number and why my emails bounced when I tried to contact them. Best of luck and recovery to them.

Layton Pennington

:D

[PaulJ]

Hi Layton,
just to re-iterate I spoke to Becky as recently as 22nd August and she was still taking orders then (but said to contact her first about delivery time - 6 months or more I believe she said - similar to County Cloth). The phone number and e-mail were also working fine on the website:-

http://www.cottoncitytailors.com/

There may be another 'dead website' out there so maybe try that link?

Hi Tom,
hope to get the jackets dirty at some point, but my wife is expecting at the end of the month and too many night-shifts right now to do much else, but no sense in not being prepared....... :)

Best regards, Paul Jonsson. (England, UK)

[Secesh]

Perfectly understandable Friend. I was just "ribbing you" about getting the them dirty - they are beautiful jackets, especially the Tait. Best regards, Tom

[rebjeb04]

I spoke with Becky several times over the phone several times when I was constructing my Mystery jacket. She was a tremendous help on many of the details that sometimes an instruction sheet cannot provide.

Very nice folks to deal with, and very knowledgable.:wink_smil

[DannyJoe]

I have a CD jacket and trousers made by Becky. She is one of the nicest people that I have had the pleasure to deal with in the hobby. The jacket and trousers are top notch! I am glad to hear that she is back in the uniform business.
Regards,

[COTTONCITY]

Dennis Neal called me today and asked me if it would be alright for him to write a post here letting folks know what is really going on with Tom and I these days. I told him it was fine by me, and when I got home I thought I would read your posts and see what Dennis was referring to. Now I find myself a bit teary eyed and quite humbled as I step into this conversation ... first I must say thank you for the kind words so many of you have written. There are no words that could adequately express just how much this community, and those of you we have been privileged to sew for, has meant to Tom and I. Needless to say, you can't imagine how we have missed sitting around those campfires (singing bawdy songs) :wink_smil with our dear friends. Reenactors and historians have been a huge part of our lives since 1989.

As has been posted here, the trials we have found ourselves struggling with in our personal life has indeed brought us to our knees and just as we ever begin to find ourselves standing, something else comes along to knock us right back down again. Much to my chagrin, sewing has often taken a back seat to the crisis of the day. It has pained me to do so, but I have turned down many orders from fellas who need things by any kind of deadlines. Still, admittedly, (much to Tom's chagrin) I have told folks that if you don't care if it takes me six months or six years to get it out to you, I will put them in the que. We still have fabric and supplies we need to use up. In addition, slowly but surely, I am writing a book on "How To Make Your Own Durn Uniform" which I will sell from my web site. This will be the ultimate step by step, stitch by stitch, guide complete with detail photos ... so bear with me, and nobody hold their breath, but it will be awesome when it is done.
So, is that what one can consider "back in business"? ... gosh, can I ever say I was out of business since I still have orders I am trying to clear from way back when? (actually, I admit I kinda squeaked Paul in between orders ... because I'm a sucker for a sweet talkin' Brit in a uniform! What can I say...:embaresse) Dirk Behana has been waiting patiently for several years now for a frock I promised to make him .... no, don't get excited, I don't make frocks anymore ... he sweet talked me too!

Now, I don't mean to sound as though I am a whiner or a complainer about the hand that life has dealt us, as so many other people have it so much worse than we do, but dang, some times it seems Job didn't have much on Tom and I! Still, as though we haven't had enough on our plates, we find ourselves in a struggle against time for life.

Tom is in end stage renal disease ... he has Polycystic Kidney Disease. His kidneys are about the size of footballs now, maybe larger. (hence his inability to do much in the way of hardcore campaigns lately) Last Thursday he had a graft put in his arm for dialysis, something that we are praying he never has to use. Studies have shown that if you can have a transplant before you ever have dialysis it can add up to ten years to your lifespan. (call me selfish, but I can't deal with the thought of losing a single day with my soul mate) So, please, please, keep us in your prayers, at his last appointment with the nephrologist (a couple of weeks ago now) he was told he estimates he will be in complete kidney failure in around 120 days.

The waiting list for a transplant is six years and growing every day, leaving us with hopes of finding a living donor ... soon. I desperately wanted to be his donor (what greater gift for someone who has given so much to me), as we are both O pos., but they won't let me because of my high blood pressure. Tom's brother drowned at 24 taking with him his only best match, and his only sister, also has PKD, is on the waiting list now as well. Our son-in-law is a viable donor, but the wrong blood type, so we are trying to find someone who is in the paired kidney program, who needs Marks Type B, and who has a friend or relative who is a willing donor and happens to be a match for Tom. (a real long shot)

Secondly, I am writing as I suppose I need to apologize and give some explanation to Dave and the Vicksburg National Park for what I see as a grave misunderstanding. I can not bear to have anyone have ill feelings toward us, as nothing we have ever done in our endeavors has ever been to do anything short of giving our best to anyone.

Please know that we never made promises to gain access to the Jones jacket, nor have we ever forgotten. You see, one of the fellas I sew for was working there that summer, and he and another college student working there that summer were trying to write new detailed documentation for the jacket. We were asked to come and help and lend our opinions on what information they had gleaned pertaining to fabric weave, etc. We were fascinated and eager to see it as, for example, the inner-facing on the collar was described in their documentation as "corduroy". We questioned that description, and we were delighted to find out upon our seeing it that it was actually cassimere with a brown warp, juxtaposed to the jean bodice with clearly a white warp. (adding to the evidence that the warp starts out brown vs the theory that it turns brown over time) But that's another post.

The curator had mentioned to us that they had been given a lot of grief, right after the Jensen articles came out about it, by people who wanted to view the jacket. She told us they would get irate when she would refuse them and they would declare that this was a National Park and the collections belong to the people! She said she soon started getting calls and letters from politicians on these irate citizens behalf, hence the desire to keep it under the radar screen after much of the interest finally died down about it.

Anyway, we felt very honored and fortunate to have the opportunity to examine the jacket, and it was our suggestion to take the photos and make up a booklet that the park could then sell to folks who wanted to see it. And, my intent was to make an exacting replica that folks could see and hands on examine, however, that detail was what I truly wanted to do for the park, it was never promised, nor was it ever asked for.

Unfortunately, it was about that time that things once again really started falling apart at the seams in our personal life. My Dad had complications from Diabetes, and lost a leg. I single handedly had to move him from MO. to TX. as there was a new nursing facility close to my sister and we could better take care of him. The nursing facility infected his other leg with staff & psudomonas, he lost it too ... only to die soon after of sepsis. Between his last amputation and subsequent death, we found out my sister had a brain tumor, which she wasn't expected to live through, and if she did, devastating complications to look forward to. (Now this is my sister many of you have prayed for, who has a daughter with a terminal metabolic seizure disorder who is severely handicapped, yet another long story) Our Daughter back in Mobile, was expecting our second Granddaughter and had Toxemia so bad she had to be put on complete bed rest ... with a 3 year old running around .... So, there I was, running back and forth between Mobile and Texas ... taking care of everybody, still sewing, and just trying to keep my sanity, while Tom took care of all he could at home, and with his real job as a chemical engineer.

Since I go right through Vicksburg, on two of my many trips home from Waco, I stopped in to see the curator, photos in hand, to discuss which ones she thought were best, both times she was out, so I left word at the visitors desk that I had been by. I had even spoken to her by phone on one occasion to let her know what was happening with my family, so she knew my circumstances. It was the week after I got home after my Daddy died, that I received a very curt letter from her, demanding that I send her all of the photos I had taken ... to be honest, I just didn't have the emotional energy to deal with her obvious petty attitude at the time ... she just absolutely stepped on my very last nerve, I had a really good cry as I was feeling at the time that no good deed will go unpunished, then I put the letter away (doing my best Scarlett "I just cant think about this right now... after all tomorrow is another day") and never heard another word from her. Thus, having stayed behind the 8-ball ever since anyway, the things I had hoped to do for Vicksburg park has not just been put on the proverbial back burner ... it is behind the stove. Now, one of these days, before I die, I really do hope to do the things I wanted to do for the park. Until then, I'm still eating the elephant one bite at a time....

I will always remain your humble servant,
Becky Nall
Cotton City Tailors
Mobile, Alabama

[Brent Brumagin]

Becky,

Thanks for the outstanding dept of Alabama Jacket. I have had a couple, but yours is the only one I still have.Your work is great. Thanks for the outstanding work!!

Brent Brumagin

[Joe Walker]

Becky-

If you ever get into Waco again, look me up and I will show you the Jenkins' CD jacket.

Joe Walker
Waco

[CYoungJSU]

Becky,

I have a pair of trousers and a Columbus Depot you made for me several years ago, and they are still in wonderful condition. You have done excellent work!! I will certainly pray for your family situations. I always look to Jeremiah 29:11 to give me hope, and keep Job's faith!!

CY

[COTTONCITY]

One of these days I will learn all the ins and outs of posting on a web site! Sorry for the repeat, I thought I had messed something up and didn't realize the first one actually made it in.
Beck

[COTTONCITY]

Oops, sorry, I wasn't certain how to edit my above post ... but when I made reference to the Jensen articles, what I had intended to write, and was referring to, was the Geoff Walden CD study. I stand corrected! I mixed up two of my favorite historians there.
:embaresse
Becky