Newbee with a needle: Vest?

[107thman]

I want to make a Union soldiers vest, the dark blue military uniform kind with medium eagle buttons. It sort of appeals to me and quite frankly it's something I can sew together easily. Someone in my unit said that there is some thought that there were no military vests. Should I make the military vest or not? That is the question. (I borrowed a pattern). And where to buy the back-strap buckle?

Michael McMaster

[Glenn Milner]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

Hello,
I think what "someone" (man, that guy gets around) meant to say is that vests were not a military _issue_ item. Period photographs show a wide variety of privately acquired vests being worn by US (and CS) soldiers. Many documented originals survive in both museum and private collections. EOG Union has some photos for you to look at while you're putting that puppy together.
For the back buckle, try John Zaharias.
Happy Stitching,
Glenn Milner

[poncho]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

I want to make a Union soldiers vest, the dark blue military uniform kind with medium eagle buttons. It sort of appeals to me and quite frankly it's something I can sew together easily. Someone in my unit said that there is some thought that there were no military vests. Should I make the military vest or not? That is the question. (I borrowed a pattern). And where to buy the back-strap buckle?

Michael McMaster

Michael,
We had this same debate in my unit a few years back due to the overwhelming popularity of the military vest among the membership. Alot of members did some research and we all came to the agreement that most enlistedmen, really did not wear a military style vest. I can not personally say that I have seen to many pictures of these type vests on enlistedmen on a large scale. However, my unit did come the agreement that civilian pattern vests seem to be much more common, so I would err on the side of constructing a civilian style vest as it would probably tend to be more versatile especially if you wanted to do different impressions. I'm not sure of any records actually detailing the issue or requirement of a wastecoat (vest) for the standard enlisted uniform. Perhaps others will be of more help on this particular issue as far as documenting that detail.

[tmdreb]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

I know we've had this discussion before, but what documentation do you have that military vests were not very common? If anything, they seem to almost be more common in photographs than civilian styles.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

Beware, vests are allot harder to make than they appear. If you are that new to sewing you may want to try your hand at something like shirts first.

Tell your friend to look at some photos rather than make blanket statements like that.

I have included some photos of US enlisted soldiers wearing military style vests.

[107thman]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

Thanks for the input. I'm not a total newbee when it comes to sewing and have sewn some similar period clothing for Rev War.

Did I mis-speak when I said Medium Buttons? Or should I use Small buttons? Also should I use brown or dark blue thread?

Thanks

Michael McMaster

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Newbee with a needle: Vest?

Thanks for the input. I'm not a total newbee when it comes to sewing and have sewn some similar period clothing for Rev War.

Did I mis-speak when I said Medium Buttons? Or should I use Small buttons? Also should I use brown or dark blue thread?

Thanks

Michael McMaster

If you have had some expirence you should have no problems. I cant help you on the color ,but you may want to check out

http://www.familyheirloomweavers.com/

for thread needs.