Ticks--The Mattress sort not the ones crawling in the mattress

[Emmanuel Dabney]

I thought there was an article on here about how to make one? Am I missing it or did it disappear?

[Will Eichler]

Emmanuel,

Best I can remember, try searching using "bed sack" or "pillow sack." If that fails, shoot me a PM and I'll give you a hand and repost.

Cheers,

Will

[fedhead]

I need to make one this week for a fort impression, but i can,t understand the ussc description

BEDDING FOR HOSPITAL USE.

Bed sack of burlap or ticking, 2 yards and 12 inches long; 40 inches wide. Sew all round. Cut opening in middle 27 inches long: close with three [3] buttons; put a stay at each end of opening and one under each button. Required, 3 knots linen thread.

Pillow Sacks of ticking or crash; 16 inches wide, 3Q inches long. Leave opening in middle of one end. Close with 2 buttons.

Sheets. Linen and cotton. 8 feet long. 4 feet wide. Required, one-half skein of cotton or one-twelfth part of a hank.

does anybody have any images of a original, i am interested in how the pillow and mattress are closed. What does the opening look like?

[Silas]

"What do the opening's look like?"

Got one of those gummed ponchos? You know, a perfectly good gum blanket made unserviceable because someone had the brilliant idea to cut a big slit down the middle so the owner could shove his head through it. Same concept except the opening can be closed with the addition of three buttons.

After posting the above, I looked carefully at my avatar. That's me at Pamplin Park on a really rainy morning in May with a perfectly serviceable gum blanket wrapped around my neck to keep out the wet.

[fedhead]

thanks for that, does the slit run horizontal or vertical and are the cut edges left or hemmed?

[cannoneer]

My tick the slit is along the long axis (or head to toe). It is centered on the panel. I will see if I can snap a picture tonight.

[Will Eichler]

Lacking any extant originals, I have made all the Bed Sacks with the slit in the manner Ted has as well.

Cheers,

Will

[Spinster]

I've made several different styles of bed tick with various opening treatments, along with its near relative, the market wallet. This is certainly not the only way to finish the edge opening.

Images are attached of various openings
(1) Woolen market wallet with cotton lining and bound edge opening.
(2) Tick with vertical opening and three buttons, on USSC directions
(3) Pillow with opening and two buttons, on USSC directions
(4) Unbuttoned tick opening

[Marine Mike]

Terre,
Its the word stay thats throwing a bit of a curve. I can understand it to stop the slit but then get confused when it says also for each button. I don't see how it is applied. Can you clarify what is meant by stay?
Thanks,
Mike Stein

[cannoneer]

WOW Mrs. Lawson really has this covered...
Sorry for the delay. I had to find the dang tick and then find the camera.....

As for the stays under each button, to me that means that you need to reinforce the button at the hem so that it does not rip out as easy. There is quite a strain on the buttons when the mattress is stuffed with straw.

I hope that this helps. Sorry again for my horrible delay.

[fedhead]

I have to thank you all, my mattress is completed thanks for everyone,s help, Its stuffed with straw and rolled up ready to go .

[Spinster]

Well, I see I'm late here with the reply concerning the 'stay'

Essentially, these are a reinforcement under the button to keep them from pulling out.

For some construction, the buttons are applied to a hemmed edge, so that one is sewing through two layers of ticking. This is sufficient reinforcement.

In some cases (depending entirely on the fabric width available and whether the selvedge edge of the fabric has a period finish rather than a modern selvedge) the button is applied to the tightly woven selvedge edge. In those cases, I cut a small square or circle of fabric and place it behind the button on the inside of the ticking, then sew through both layers to ensure a sound attachment for the button.

Button type varies as well. Since such tickings were often produced at home, I look to various 'utility' buttons of the period, or older buttons that might have been saved and recycled in a woman's button jar': four hole paper backed tin, four hole pewter buttons of Mexican War vintage; and two hole large eye underware buttons. Such useage is speculation on my part and I have no specific documentation--the instructions only say 'buttons'

When using the underware buttons, which have two large holes, I also use a period attachment method--rather than sewing with thread, I use a narrow twill tape through the fabric and the two holes, firmly tied and knotted. In this case, I open the hole in the fabric with a small awl.

Finally, a stay at the end of the slit is a different technique--essentially a way of binding the slit so it cannot strain open. In some cases, I make a triangular gusset and apply it over the opening to alleviate strain on the underlying join. In others, I may use a felling stitch or a firmly tacked pleat to reinforce the area. Again, this is speculation on my part, coupled with a knowledge of various period sewing techniques.

[fedhead]

I just turned and hemmed the raw edges with a whip stitch and put the buttonhole's , buttons on the hemmed cloth thus giving renforcement.

I have quite a few white china 2 hole buttons ( large hole) i think i will try your method of attachment it makes sense when wash day comes. By the way i used 4 hole bone buttons what do you think ?

[pirateCSA]

Mrs. Lawson can you post the specs on the pillows?