Past Patterns Single Breasted frock

[modelf85]

Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it accurate? I cant tell from the drawing, but would I have to alter it at all?


Thanks,

[S.D.Foster]

I did not realize Past Patterns had come out with a men's frock coat pattern? All I know of is a double breasted paletot coat pattern.

Do you have a link or a picture you can share? I'd like to take a look.

Sean Foster

[ThehosGendar]

I think you might mean the "Homespun" pattern, right?

You really need to tweak. I think it's going for a more '50s approach, with rather straight sleeves, but there isn't much shape to the body. You need to work out some nicer, more natural curves to the back line, and if you want '60s, you have to give the sleeves more of a 'swoosh' at the elbows.

If you stare at enough pictures, find some originals or pictures of originals, you'll be able to do something with it.

[ElizabethClark]

Too, *every* pattern will need some tweaking for the individual person. Uniforms may have been issued in uniform sizes, but citizen clothing wasn't. Expect to need to alter any pattern to suit your unique body shape, and then adapt the garment pieces themselves to reflect any particular style lines you need for your impression.

[edwardwatson]

Cody Mobley (The Company Tailor) will draft a home procured frock pattern to your measurements for $25.00 according to an email he sent me a few months ago. I plan to do that once I get few other projects out of the way. Hope that helps.

Edward Watson

[modelf85]

Sorry, I meant a civilian frock.
here is the Frock:
http://www.gallarock.com/m-004.JPG
Here is the link:
http://www.gallarock.com/menspatterns.html

Thanks,

[S.D.Foster]

This may be another useful resource:
http://www.rlshep.com/HTML/booklist.htm

My wife used their book "Early Victorian Men" I think it was, to draft my civilian frock coat pattern. It came out petty well, but the instructions were written in the early 19th century, and as such were a little confusing from a modern standpoint.

I should also mention my wife has a degree in apparel design, and experience in historical pattern drafting. There is no way I could have used this book by myself and come out with anything looking right, let alone fitting well.

I'm pleased with the end result. (even though I like my CS frock much better).

Sean Foster

[Drygoods]

What I would like to know is this, are the Galla Rock patterns any good? Are they more for the mainstream crowd? How close do they come together in terms of construction and sewing technique.....are they easy or advanced?

[neocelt]

Hampton,

The illustration you posted is from Galla Rock's website, but appears to be for a Homespun pattern. Further, the illustration is of a paletot, NOT a frock coat. Both were popular gent's garments during the antebellum period, but I certainly wouldn't put much faith in a pattern maker who doesn't know the difference between the two! A well tailored, properly constructed frock coat is indeed a wondrous thing to behold, but it is also the most complicated period garment you could possibly find and represents the ne plus ultra of the tailor's art. The correct construction and tailoring of the frock coat is a challenge for even the professionally-trained tailor; properly executed it is truly a masterpiece, and IMHO precious few makers of reproduction period citizen's toggery are capable of doing it justice. I'd recommend you think long and hard before you ruin a rather large quantity of expensive broadcloth--this is no 'DIY' project...

Cheers,

[modelf85]

No, there is a Frock. I know of the Paletot.

This is a paletot, as Im sure that you know: http://www.cornerclothiers.com/paletot1.jpg

This is a frock: http://www.gallarock.com/m-004.JPG
http://www.cornerclothiers.com/frock2.jpg

The only difference seems to be that the paletot is double breasted, They do have the same pockets, but the cut to a frock is very similar looking. Possibly, the difference is that the waist is not fitted, I cant really tell from the sketch. However, there is not enough difference to really tell. To me it looks like a frock because the waist seems fitted and it appears to go above the knees. Im not master tailor, however I know how to sew and my mother is pretty darn good at it. She has made numerous costumes for past school plays and halloween things, in addition to some of my reenacting stuff like my SA fatigue blouse. She made me a not so period correct frock back in the day for my 5th grade halloween whatsamajigger. So, Im pretty sure that I/She would not be a bumbling fool when it came to making a frock.

Oh well, Thanks for your reply.

P.S. Im not sure what it is, Im not that interested in the frock anymore.