Uniforms Is there a pattern for a Union Great Coat?

[20thmaineboy]

Dear CivilWarTalk community,

I just bought a heavy duty sewing machine and I would like to make a Union great coat, though I have looked all over the Internet trying to find a pattern for one. But I cannot find anything. Can someone help me find a Union Great Coat (for a private)?

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Men's Greatcoat

In business for over 30 years, Amazon Drygoods offers historic clothing patterns, shoes, books, collars and much more for all of your history related apparel needs.

www.amazondrygoods.com

 

[captaindrew]

Go to Charlie Childs at County Cloth, the website is crchilds.com. He has great coat patterns for sale.

 

[20thmaineboy]

Thank you both for your help!

 

[20thmaineboy]

Go to Charlie Childs at County Cloth, the website is crchilds.com. He has great coat patterns for sale.

$36 DOLLORS FOR A PATTERN???!!! What, does it come with a musket?

 

[captaindrew]

Back in the day Childs was the absolute best uniform maker, he was one of the first ones to really produce top quality campaigner products and yard goods. He's now retired from producing finished products. If you want to know your getting the best possible product you're going to pay a few bucks for it. As the OP said, correct patterns aren't easy to find. The current uniform makers will sell you kits but aren't going to give up their patterns, they want you to buy their products and not risk selling their patterns to someone who may use those to compete with them. A finished good quality great coat is going to cost you 550 to 600$ so 36 isn't so bad.

 

[7thWisconsin]

$36 DOLLORS FOR A PATTERN???!!! What, does it come with a musket?

Well, it is a great coat.

 

[RedRover]

$36 DOLLORS FOR A PATTERN???!!! What, does it come with a musket?

Childs patterns are actually drafted from period systems, and the pieces ACTUALLY fit together when sewing. Many of the alternatives can be exercises in frustration and wasted cloth.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

$36 DOLLORS FOR A PATTERN???!!! What, does it come with a musket?

A lot of paper goes into a greatcoat pattern.

Price really isn't that bad for a well researched pattern, and I can attest he makes excellent patterns.

But if you wish to go with a cheaper one, go to James Country and grab one from their "Homespun Patterns" line. But be warned, the difficulty will go up on making the coat.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

$36 DOLLORS FOR A PATTERN???!!! What, does it come with a musket?

This garment will require a lot of heavy wool fabric plus lining and buttons. The cost of the pattern will pale by comparison.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

A lot of paper goes into a greatcoat pattern.

Price really isn't that bad for a well researched pattern, and I can attest he makes excellent patterns.

But if you wish to go with a cheaper one, go to James Country and grab one from their "Homespun Patterns" line. But be warned, the difficulty will go up on making the coat.

Scratch my previous comment, I spoke without looking and it's been a while. James Country is the same price.

My bad!

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

Men's Greatcoat

In business for over 30 years, Amazon Drygoods offers historic clothing patterns, shoes, books, collars and much more for all of your history related apparel needs.

www.amazondrygoods.com

I have considered trying a shell jacket with the patterns. Is it just paper cut out into the shapes needed to put the uniform together?

 

[RedRover]

I have considered trying a shell jacket with the patterns. Is it just paper cut out into the shapes needed to put the uniform together?

Pretty much. But the patterns differ in quality of their design. Some are so poorly designed the pieces don't fit, and you waste time trying to figure out what to do. you'd practically have to be a tailor to rework them, as the designers certainly weren't. C.R. Childs' patterns are the best. He did the tailoring so you don't have to, and used period tailoring books to draw the pieces the correct shapes. The pieces actually fit together. Another option is a kit, with the fabric already cut out. Wambaugh and White sell kits of garments. Saves the cost of mail ordering the cloth, with the part you won't use.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

I have considered trying a shell jacket with the patterns. Is it just paper cut out into the shapes needed to put the uniform together?

What is your experience with sewing and tailoring in general? Shell jackets are high up on the difficulty scale IMHO. Get the best pattern you can buy per the others replies above.