Homemade Gear

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Homemade Gear

There are just too many variables when trying to convert lowend to acceptable. You have to think of such things as to pattern, what depot issued it, was it handsewn like Skuylkil Depot or machine sewn like another depot, did it have machine sewn or handsewn topstitching, etc, etc, etc. I've tried to convert some other garments for pards who saw the light, and I've ended up basically just completely resewing , and you're just better off getting a new blouse. There are just too many reputable vendors with a good track record out there now to try to do it half arsed.

[Garrett Silliman]

Re: Homemade Gear

Possibly, but without seeing the blouse (ie fabric, cut, construction etc.) it's impossible to say. Honestly, if you have an authentic one, I wouldn't waste the time trying make a silk purse out of a turd...or was that don't waste time polishing a sow's ear. Whatever, the folk wisdom - if it's not correct in terms of fabric, cut, construction then putting some handstitching on the exterior isn't going to make it correct. Just a thought. -Garrett

[btfire]

Re: Homemade Gear

Quick question to go with my previous homemade gear thread...
I have a sutler grade sack coat ( I also have a really good one too! ). Taking my sutler grade and hand stitching the buttonholes and top seams, will this make this coat pass muster? The material is pretty good, it is the finishing that is poor. This coat will not be used often, mostly just as a backup or something of the sort.

[rebinnj]

Re: Homemade Gear

At least with my shirts I can say, they were made this way. I can just see some poor Confed wearing a shirt his widowed father tried to make for him. I wear it proudly, even though it looks like I made it.

LOL. I started out small (poke bags) and even made a homemade housewife. Then for the 2001 Manassas, I order a pattern and material for a battleshirt, which I was going to put together. Instructions were very generic and not for beginners. Have to take apart and sew it again a few times, and hand in a cast to make it even harder. It doesn't look bad, a little baggy. It does take practice and patient to learn to sew.

[56spencer]

Re: Homemade Gear

Greetings Everyone,

I find trying to make some of your own items adds another facet to the hobby. I'm in the midst of my third shirt from County Cloth's Hollyday pattern and each one is better than the last. Since starting my shirt making, I now find Bill Brown's "Thoughts on Men's Shirts" on my bookshelf and spent much time admiring/studying construction details on orginials displayed at the Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference. One's research into the material culture of the era is something that can truly be of a perpetual nature.

[ArtilleryNick]

Re: Homemade Gear

I too have tried my hand at making gear including pokesacks and a haversack or two. At first I wondered what on earth I was getting myself into with my little projects, but the end result isn't too bad after a few times of trial and error. For the haversacks I followed information I found on here a while back on painting the canvas. First one didn't turn out as I had envisioned, but I'm in the midst of making up another one right now.

[easttnfed]

Re: Homemade Gear

I too started out making stuff when I first started to get my kit put together. The first thing that I ever made was a haversack when I first started the hobby....................not at all great by any means. I then made several housewives and poke sacks.............none of which compare to the stuff I make today. The first real adventure was a shirt that I just eyeballed the pattern on...............again, sucky. The more and more I practiced and made stuff the better and better I got. It wasn't until about 3 years ago that I learned how to use a sewing machine. Now, I know how to do leather, painted cloth, knapsacks, belts, buckles, etc. because I never stopped trying. Keep at it and one day you will look back on your earlier stuff and say..................."dang, only if I knew then what I know now." Good work on your stuff!

[Clsinclair]

Re: Homemade Gear

Hey Brian,

Congratulations on your projects. Since you are a member of the 23rd SC our paths will be crossing. I will be happy to show you some of my wares and especially the Federal Painted Oil Cloths I make. It takes a while to get the cornstarch mixture correct but if done correctly there will be no bleeding or cracking. I did a clinic at our School of Instruction using lamp black, linseed oil, etc and gave out the instructions to those attending. We also did a sewing clinic and had everyone to sew a buttonhole using the buttonhole stitch. You must have missed it. I love making shelter halves as I have a type 11b and a type 111a that I made for myself. I also made my own haversacks and now I know why a quality haversack cost so much. They just don't make themselves. You are correct about the time spent making these items.

Claude Sinclair
Lancaster, SC

[Rob Weaver]

Re: Homemade Gear

I've made a good bit of leather gear, mostly for other periods than Civil War, but a few for our period. The experience is really worth it. I've also learned how to fix and mend items better because I've learned how to make them.

[milo1047]

Re: Homemade Gear

Mr. Vallecillo:

As for the shell jacket construction, it is not as hard as it may look. Just don't cut some pieces "with the grain" and the rest "against the grain" like I did my first time. Getting a kit from an approved vendor could be a good start, since many of them have very good instructions that take you step by step. IMHO There are flaws in every garment, just the maker knows where they are. Good luck on the Shell.

Dale Winch

Thanks for the advice Mr. Winch :) I was planning on getting a kit from County Cloth and going from there. Your advice is much appreciated!

[roundshot]

Re: Homemade Gear

Using photo research archives can take much of the mystery out of trouser construction, particularly since most instructions leave some degree of ambiguity. Galla Rock has some excellent pics of Federal SA trousers: http://www.gallarock.com/GettysburgFedMountedPants.html. And Chris Daley has these fine shots of some CS trousers on his site: http://www.cjdaley.com/csartytrowsers.htm Of course, there are other pics out there in cyberspace as well.

[arthurlee]

Re: Homemade Gear

I thought "I'll start easy with a shirt", then said "what the heck is a gussett?" Three shirts (one sort of a shirt) and one haversack later I wanted to try my hand at a pair of trousers. For over a month I have been looking at the pattern and break into a sweat. I'll work up the courage soon (I hope). At least with my shirts I can say, they were made this way. I can just see some poor Confed wearing a shirt his widowed father tried to make for him. I wear it proudly, even though it looks like I made it.
To all of you who, like myself, are working on their kit, trying to hand make as much as you can, I say be steady, be brave and we will win our freedom in the end.

Regards
Cpl Maxwell
1st Texas
Battery K

[dwinch]

Re: Homemade Gear

Mr. Vallecillo:

As for the shell jacket construction, it is not as hard as it may look. Just don't cut some pieces "with the grain" and the rest "against the grain" like I did my first time. Getting a kit from an approved vendor could be a good start, since many of them have very good instructions that take you step by step. IMHO There are flaws in every garment, just the maker knows where they are. Good luck on the Shell.

Dale Winch

[dwinch]

Re: Homemade Gear

Don't be discouraged, we all have some projects that we would rather throw away or burn than try doing it again, but you have a drive that will make you take up the needle again and try to master it. I have made several shirts, jackets, and few trousers in my time as well as haversacks. I can definately tell the old from the new by looking at the stitching and the crispness of the seams. My first shirt never made it to the finished product, but was torn up in a blind fit of rage and later was recycled into poke sacks and a handkerchief:baring_te . The haversacks, like mentioned before are hard on your hands, so practicing on small projects such poke sacks are a great way to get your thread spacing and hand eye coordination down. There are so many people that just want to "buy it now" and not take the time to construct it themselves. I personally prefer the kits, so that I can feel a "connection" with the garment. This is also the reason that I handsew everything I make. I feel that you will learn more by constructing the garment yourself than to have someone else do it for you. My hat is off to you Sir for your attempt, no matter how farby or terrible the construction is. Keep working at it and maybe you will be the tailor for your company, like I have been recently elected to do.

Good Job and keep the fingers bleeding!:cry_smile

Dale Winch

[ney]

Re: Homemade Gear

I have been there. It always feels like I end up spending more on the stuff I am trying to make than if I just bought it from a vendor. But that never seems to stop me. I have made three shirts and my last one wasn't bad.