Change of Garb!

[Crewdawg445]

Thank you for the good read Spence. I do however feel like a confused 18th century native... I must say I'm having a hard time adjusting to the new change. Good thing is, as previously mentioned I certainly plan on incorporating allot of my native style into the garb. Still, pierced ears with ear bobs is a rather interesting look!

The shirt! I'll certainly get some images of it up soon, I was so excited about the next part the shirt slipped my mind. However, it is indeed very nice if I do say so!

Now, todays I work involved my linen breeches, what a pain linen is to sew. If your familiar with its willingness and tendency to fray you know the frustration! After working on those, jumped to the gaiters... Oh yes I'm very excited about these!

My inspiration came from the offering at Jas Townsend, only I have about $15.00 in fabric. They are made from black linen and lined with cotton, which you can't see due to it being sewn in the middle as interfacing per say. So, essentially whipped together a template off of a pair of my buckskin leggings. Traced the contours for the left/ right gaitors and transferred the measurements to form the semi curved sides that will be covered once buttoned.

After sewing and ironing seams I called it a day, yet I just had to mark my locations for the 12 each buttons... Fingers are already crowing just thinking about sewing 24 buttons! Oh, also made my toe caps and foot straps in the same manor. These are approximately 3" above the knee, which is perfect and allows me to utilize the top button on my breeches to help secure them. Whoah..! That's a wrap!

 

[coloradoclyde]

That is....Breeches??? Looks more like a corset.. :haha: I'm confused.....must be the photo......Still looks nice though... :thumbsup:

Oh gaiters..... I had a smudge on my glasses..... :haha:

 

[Tallswife]

Nice!!!! Excellent work!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Check out my gaitors. 25 buttons on a side. My top button fastens to the top button on the breeches.

Of course, we can let a provincial on the frontier only use 12 buttons.

Yes, I need to find the black ball to freshen up and restore the original color.

 

[SgtErv]

Good stuff. One of the fellas at the fort wears gaiters that button to his breeches and likes them quite a bit. He also utilizes a cord of leather for a makeshift belt as well. I tell you this as a cautionary tale lol

 

[Crewdawg445]

A leather thong has held my leggings up longer than I can remember... Oh and most importantly the breechclout! Lol.

The breeches as previously mentioned will be holding these bad boys up as well.

Certainly like the fact they breath more so than buckskin, while I'm guessing not as durable I have three plys of fabric on each individual one so they are stout none the less.

Exceptional photo Grenadier! 12 is just fine for this confused colonial native!

 

[Brokennock]

You mentioned your frustration with the linen fraying while you sew. I remember someone in my family using masking tape along the edges of the fabric and sewing right through it, then pulling the tape off when done. The thread cuts through the tape as the tape is pulled, leaving no evidence it was ever there.
Not sure, but maybe it will help in your situation.

 

[Tallswife]

You mentioned your frustration with the linen fraying while you sew. I remember someone in my family using masking tape along the edges of the fabric and sewing right through it, then pulling the tape off when done. The thread cuts through the tape as the tape is pulled, leaving no evidence it was ever there.
Not sure, but maybe it will help in your situation.

Theres a liquid product called "Fray Check" also that is used by counted cross stitchers to keep the canvas edge intact.

Frey Check

 

[Black Hand]

I'll suggest a wider seam allowance that will leave enough material to fold under and hem. This is what I've done with linen shirts I've sewn.

I also wash and dry the linen to tighten the material before cutting. I also "pull" a thread when cutting straight lines which avoids cutting adjacent threads and reduces fraying.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Yup, very familiar with it!

I love linen, just takes more time because I always go back over and essentially zig zag all my seams along with frey check. I just don't use it in the crotch area for obvious reasons!

Also Black Hand I do that as well, little larger seam than 5/8 is what I like. I marked my machine for that very purpose. I also like to hand stitch as much as possible to really be detailed. Mainly in the small tight areas were fabrics are thick and what not.

 

[Black Hand]

If you are sewing by machine, you could use a zig-zag stitch to keep the edge from fraying while assembling then fold it underneath when hemming, leaving no evidence.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Yes, that's what I do with the vast majority of seams. I bullet proof all my sewing, probably don't need to but it makes me feel good! Lol

 

[Claude Mathis]

Check out my gaitors. 25 buttons on a side. My top button fastens to the top button on the breeches.

 

[Cruzatte]

I'll suggest a wider seam allowance that will leave enough material to fold under and hem. This is what I've done with linen shirts I've sewn.

I also wash and dry the linen to tighten the material before cutting. I also "pull" a thread when cutting straight lines which avoids cutting adjacent threads and reduces fraying.

Exactly the way I do it. :metoo:

 

[Grenadier1758]

I will do what is called a French hem. There is enough seam allowance after sewing the pieces together to cut one in half, fold the other one over the cut allowance and sew both to the body of the item. Those seams are durable.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Hey yes that's one my mother taught me as well. Indeed it is durable.

 

[coloradoclyde]

When do I get to see this new outfit????
I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Silky921]

We're going to a "Beginners Rendezvous" at 7 Eagles Historical Center" in Grand Rapids Ohio at the end of the month. You're welcome to come CC. We'll give you free room and board.


It's actual a cool idea for an event. The goal is to give people who are interested in getting into this stuff or just getting started a judgement free weekend to learn the ropes while still using some modern gear. I think it helps lessen the intimidation that a hobby like this can present.

Last year I had alot of fun teaching and talking to passers-by's who were interested in what we were doing, and I'm not a fan of public events usually.

ff