Proper Shirt Style?

[NeilMacleod]

As I have said before, its not meant for a shirt. Shirts are strictly cotton/Linen for me.

 

[necchi]

As I have said before, its not meant for a shirt. Shirts are strictly cotton/Linen for me.

I didn't mention a shirt.

FWIW, I have run across period references where pigskin was one of the leathers used to make Shot Pouches in the 18th century in VA.Gus

Really? With colors like the photo of the pig skin above?

 

[Artificer]

FWIW, I have run across period references where pigskin was one of the leathers used to make Shot Pouches in the 18th century in VA.Gus

Really? With colors like the photo of the pig skin above?

John,

In 18th century VA, pigskin was one of many leathers that was tanned in quantity at Williamsburg and Norfolk. They had the ability to split hides and thus make suede like the leather above, but I don't know how often they did it with pigskin. They also had a surprising number of colors they could vat dye by using various plant and chemical dyes.

Now, just because they had the technology and dyes to make such pigskin suede leather, I can't think of a reason they would have done it. That doesn't mean they didn't do it, but just that I can't think of a reason they would have done it. Also, a 1mm thick split would have been very expensive in the period because it is so thin and labor intensive to cut/split it and work it to that thickness.

Personally, I would not use such a split for piece of repro period leather work, as other leathers will do the job for anything I want to make and I can document other leathers much easier.

Gus

 

[Crewdawg445]

Make dog toys from the pig skin, it doesn't have a place. There are allot of skilled craftsman on this website with a wealth of information that cannot be bought. Trying to fandagle something into looking "period" that has no business in the period is rash.

As the other fine experienced members have already mentioned, the best tool is to STUDY period texts and learn. Living history isn't just a hobby to allot of us, it's a lifestyle one chooses to live. Do it right from the start and much grief, time and money will be saved.

 

[NeilMacleod]

So I took apart the collar etc and put the pleats in their. Shirt fits much better now, just a bit of a mess taking it apart. So next one I will know what to do now. Seen some old shows with these types of shirts with pleats in the neck and shoulder so Im comfortable with the design now.

 

[Black Hand]

Small pleats and close together.

On the collar, I bunch them in the center back in about a 1" space. At the collar (the extra material you have at the front), the pleats are to either side of the collar between the center opening and the shoulder gusset (but closer to the center opening), as the collar starts and ends at the center opening. I tend to bunch the pleats at the top of the shoulder for the sleeve (about 1" at the shoulder seam), while the pleats are evenly-distributed at the cuff. However, the weight of the material will determine the size and number of pleats.

The collar also sandwiches the pleats at the neck between the two layers of the collar.

See https://www.bing.com/images/search...8050676340165132&selectedIndex=101&ajaxhist=0

 

[tenngun]

The weight of the cloth can be a pain. To keep the seams from fraying I like to do a back stitch on the edge then fold and back stitch again. So when putting on the collar you can be going through half a dozen layers then the father gives you a couple or three layers more... umph
I just finished a shirt, I think I would have been an improverished taylor in the old days... " I ordered a shirt from that Taylor Robinson a month ago and he is still working on it. By my soul the man is slower then a Spanish lugger"

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, sleeves are gathered onto the body of the shirt. The collar is gathered 'round the front, and the center back as well. The shirt front opening can extend almost as far as the center of you chest.

(egad! I wish I had taken off that gage d'amour :redface: )

That shirt is a good representative example of what was, and still is, worn by many in many locations over a time frame spanning centuries and continents. Good thing y'all cannot see me at times as I can have hissy fits over the perzactness of some things demanded by the more hc fixated of those among us. Styles, doesn't matter if it is clothes, knives, rifles, whatever could vary from village to village, town to town European origin of the family of the makers and, often, just because of ignorance or individual creativity. That long shirt could have been worn tucked in with a frock coat, left out as shown in warm weather and at night it could/would become pajamas, as in nite shirt. Wear it, enjoy, it looks just fine and will be appropriate for almost any time frame in recorded history. BTW, while I'm ranting :cursing: , I'll repeat a story I've told here before. When we (wifey and I) were just beginning this game I photographed a 'skin dress on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. I picked a slow day and, being a professional photographer at the time, brought sufficient equipment to get clear, detailed pics of the entire dress. My wife made a replica that was as an exact copy as humanly possible. When we got to ronny, my wife proudly wearing her new dress, within one minute, was encountered by a woman whose first words were "they didn't make them that way". So, tell me, who is really an expert?

 

[BrownBear]

....I'll repeat a story I've told here before. When we (wifey and I) were just beginning this game I photographed a 'skin dress on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. I picked a slow day and, being a professional photographer at the time, brought sufficient equipment to get clear, detailed pics of the entire dress. My wife made a replica that was as an exact copy as humanly possible. When we got to ronny, my wife proudly wearing her new dress, within one minute, was encountered by a woman whose first words were "they didn't make them that way". So, tell me, who is really an expert?

Yeah. I've quit arguing with the guys who have a list as long as your arm touting all the things you're SUPPOSED TO carry to be authentic. My version of your pics is to just take them for a walk- through the brush and up and over a couple of ridges. Preferably on a nice windy, rainy day. Reality bites when you don't have a horse to pack all the necessities.

 

[Cruzatte]

I just finished a shirt, I think I would have been an impoverished taylor in the old days... " I ordered a shirt from that Taylor Robinson a month ago and he is still working on it. By my soul the man is slower then a Spanish lugger"

:haha: Sounds like me! :haha:

 

[Black Hand]

My wife made a replica that was as an exact copy as humanly possible. When we got to ronny, my wife proudly wearing her new dress, within one minute, was encountered by a woman whose first words were "they didn't make them that way". So, tell me, who is really an expert?

There are many people at Rendezvous who consider themselves "experts" that haven't done any research and it is very evident who they are. You can't miss them - they have Hummingbird feeders, beer cans and coolers visible in camp. Enamelware abounds, they drink Apple Pie and eat hotdogs.

Then there are those who have done the hard work and get criticized as Thread Counters, Stitch Nazis, Librarians or any number of other derogatory terms. Many of these people are happy to help, but they are marginalized.

 

[NeilMacleod]

LOL
Thanks!
Will be moving soon and will start on the new final shirt in a few weeks. Still have some linen so will have it all proper
This is nice and wearable for daily use so its not wasted and I know how their put together properly now.

 

[tenngun]

There are a lot of vids on YouTube under hand sewing historic clothing.
Yes,I'm slower then molasses, but not none too hard and it is a nice way to pass the evening, or quiet afternoon on the porch. The one thing I have never tried is trousers or breeches in cloth. I have heard my needle case calling me however :wink:
I would also recommend Beth Gillian's 'Tidings from the eighteenth century' it's a lot more then clothing and well worth it.
As Black Hand and Riflemans experince will tell you do your home work. Today is easier then them BI times( before internet)

 

[NeilMacleod]

Will be adding to my book collection as soon as I can afford it. Got a new house to move into soon
Thanks!