Drawers

[KathyBradford]

Please forgive the rather delicate nature of this question. To keep my sons warm for the Struggle for Statehood, I handstitched some of Pat Kline's fine canton flannel into drawers. Using Charlie Childs' drawers pattern, there's a gap in the front similar to the opening between two parentheses (). Is it appropriate to add another button halfway down from the top? Are there originals with different configurations? Any advice?

Looking forward to grandchildren someday...

[Jefferson Guards]

If you wear your shirt tucked into your drawers then you alleviate the problem of not having a button there. I have seen both issue drawers and sanitary commission patterns that do not have buttons, but then there were also pairs that did have buttons. It all depends upon which original you are reproducing.

[Charlie]

Kathy,
I bought the same flannel and pattern but have not gotten around to making mine yet. However, I did purchase a fine set of flannel drawers from CJ Daley (A Fine sutler of CW wares) and his do indeed also have the exposed front. It was told to me by someone more learned than I in the matters of historic clothing that at that time, the current thinking was, it was more sanitatry (sanitary being a very gray area at that time) to keep your privates as free and unencumbered as possible, hence the wide open gap. Tucking ones shirt in front certainly solves the problem, but as I understand it, it was done on purpose.
Just my two cents.

[DougCooper]

Kathy has hit on the age old conundrum of all authentic drawer owners and the reason we are all fond of long tailed shirts. That is a good solution if one does not want to modify the garment by adding a button to ward off drafts, wool/privates contact (ouch) and inadvertant period flashing when wading the river with trousers carried on your head.

Interestingly, the French pattern import drawers sold by Chris Daley have less of a gap. One would not think the French would worry about such things

[KathyBradford]

Thank you, all. Chris Daley's French drawers certainly look well made, as do all his things.

I appreciate your advice.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

I am looking a pair of authentic drawers to wear this spring..naturally I won't want the flannel which for me will be way to hot this spring. Any recommendations on something light to make them out of?

Thanks,

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[Gerkin]

Gentlemen,

I was about to make post on the same subject as the latter of this post. I was curious, what various sorts of cloth have you all seen on original drawers. All I have ever seen has been the common flannel. Has anyone ever seen ticking used? I was also curious about cotton drill. Any help would be great.

[coffee boiler]

Canton flannel really isn't that uncomfortable to wear in the summer as long as it doesn't get into the 90's, as it does a good job of wicking the sweat away from your body.

[Michael Semann]

We are all aware that union issue drawers were, in the main, manufactured primarily of Canton Flannel. However, what other materials can be documented as being used for a lighter weight underdrawers, particularly private purchase and import garments. In the CONFEDERATE SKETCHBOOK, the extant drawers from which the book's pattern is derived are mentioned as being made of a plain weave cotton material. Anyone have any suggestions? Curt,Nick, or Hank, are you out there? Thanks in advance.

Michael,
Actually they weren't "mainly" made from canton flannel but a large variety of materials. Some of the materials I've run across in various property books and other sources have been:

"Linen" (29th PVI QM issue)
"Osnabrig" (1859 pre-war issue - 10th Inf. in the Utah Territory)
"Cotton" (various QM references)
"Muslin" (various QM references)
"Wool" (1859 pre-war issue - Arty Bty in the Utah Territory - warm but ouch!)

...and for civilian, in addition to the above...

Silk (I used to own a pair of dated silk drawers IDed to an 1862 owner - I imagine they were very comfy)

These are just the ones that jump to the front of my memory. Hope this helps.

Best,