US Froccoat Pattern

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Kameraden,
I need for my next year sewing project an SA Frockcoat Pattern for enlisted man.
I found some of them, but wihich should I prefer?

[Benedict]

Hey Charles,

maybe you could list the pattern makers you have found so people have an idea.

Gruß

[mrgrzeskowiak]

I use Past Patterns for all my 19th Century clothing...

[gfchhdgf]

You may want to use the search function to read up on U.S. Frockcoat patterns. As far as finding an accurate one that you can actually purchase for a price that doesn't include your first borns or anything, I think you'll be hard pressed.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

In my limited experience...

I have found that commercial patterns only reproduce an outward visual "approximation" of the "look" of a U.S. dress coat.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt
A consumer of, but not a producer of, dress coats

[wade03]

Yeah, there is no perfect pattern out there to my knowledge. Your best bet would be to combine studying originals catching all the details, then modifying an existing pattern to match the originals more closely. Homespun patterns argen't to bad. But you do have some work on the pattern to do.

[Benedict]

YYour best bet would be to combine studying originals catching all the details

The thing is we "over there" in Germany don't have access to original frock coats as easily ;)

[Charles Kaiser]

The thing is we "over there" in Germany don't have access to original frock coats as easily ;)

Exactly, thats my problem, the only thing I can do, is study the frocks, that my friends own, but they are replicas too, with their faults, too.

[J.H.Berger]

Yeah, there is no perfect pattern out there to my knowledge. Your best bet would be to combine studying originals catching all the details, then modifying an existing pattern to match the originals more closely. Homespun patterns argen't to bad. But you do have some work on the pattern to do.

Well Wade I am even more curous about your frock coat then:)

[Charles Kaiser]

What's with Books? Does there an book exist about Frocks as the Book for Sackcoats?(For Fatigue purposes)
Is anyone here, who can send me articles or notes about Frockcoats?
It could not be possible, that no one in Amerika had correct Informations about Frocks ?!?

[Doughboy]

You might want to contact Jim Ruley. He has drafted patterns for frocks and will do one off of your measurements. I believe he charges around 30 but don't quote me.
Christopher Wilson

[estephenson]

You may want to look into the "Danish Exchange" uniform. It is an unissued 1858 SA uniform the US government sent to the Danish government.

[Charles Kaiser]

Hallo Kameraden,
has anyone Informations about Private Purchase Frocks? Everything might be helpful.
I prefer a Private Purchase, because the regular shapes are to little for me.

[CJDaley]

Hallo Kameraden,
has anyone Informations about Private Purchase Frocks? Everything might be helpful.
I prefer a Private Purchase, because the regular shapes are to little for me.

An article I wrote about 5 years ago on an enlisted commercial coat I examined. Any other questions? Just ask.

http://www.cjdaley.com/commercialenlistedcoat.htm

[hoosiersojer]

Charles,

Just a footnote on Mr. Daley's post above. I have noticed he has recently introduced the Boylan Contract Frock Coat as a garment kit, if you are interested.

http://www.cjdaley.com/kits.htm

[Charles Kaiser]

Thanks to all for your answers!
And another Questions: I am looking for pictures of an original with Black polished Cotton for the pockets.They wrote in CRRC II about it. I've only seen those with brown.
Did they use the black one at SA Frocks?
Did deatiled Photos from an SA Frock exist? I want to know which stitchings they use at the different places.
What are the differences between SA and Contractor Frocks by the pattern?

@ Christopher: Which kind of material is the front facing on the private purchased Frock?

[LibertyHallVols]

Charles,

If you would be willing, it would be great if you could take notes and photographs of your project, as well as the finished frock! These projects take on a life of their own sometimes... it is interesting to see the challenges and issues that come up and how folks deal with them.

Best of Luck!

[PanzerJager]

The John Henry auction had an artillery SA frock in it, you may want to look at the heritage auction website as they had photos of both the interior and exterior. As mentioned before, being in Europe, your best bet is to try and see the Danish Exchange frock coat, it was also made at the SA. If you really want to get it right you are going to need to see an original, in your hands. From my experience you will never be able to decipher all the little construction intricacies from photos alone.

Regards,

[Charles Kaiser]

From my experience you will never be able to decipher all the little construction intricacies from photos alone.


Thats my Intention, I learned it by copying an original Knapsack. With only one measurement and some Photos it doesn' work, so I had to take the Original on and on to see the smal little details. Last week I said to a Friend" The best way to made a SA Frockcoat is to buy one, and if the Reproduction is finished, sell him. So this is not possible I am happy about every ltttle Detail that helps me to come clother to an Original.

I will ask the Danish Museum for help.

@LibertyHallVols: When I start I will do that Documentation. A Friend of mine will make an SA Frock too.

[LibertyHallVols]

Thanks, Charles! I may be starting one myself sometime this winter. If so, it will be the 4th frock I've made, but my first US frock.