The use of sewing machines during the Civil War

I've been told that the frock coat was a very difficult item to assemble. Can anyone elabrate?


I'm not a tailor but could sure see where this elegant coat would take much more care? Mom sewed- a lot and took a tailoring course so she could make suits, etc. Any piece of clothing so fitted to one's form would have more pieces in a pattern hence seams? I watched her- each cut piece's raw seam had to be laid flat, open, inside and pressed, to lay flat and not ruin how the coat's fabric fell when worn.

Wish we had a tailor here who could further explain. Those people are amazing.
 
The industry must have boomed around this time? I can't say it for a fact- no expert here but spend a fair amount of time browsing era papers. So many ads!

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With this one, you're ennobled, or crowned queen. It is unclear.

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Grover and Baker again

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Here's Wheeler and Wilson!

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An upside-down ad, pretty clever
 
I've been told that the frock coat was a very difficult item to assemble. Can anyone elabrate?

I have only made one. Drafted it myself with my friend's measurements from an 1855 tailors book (I'm still shocked I got it right on the first try--I am not mathematical). I did not put the padding in because I didn't realize it should have had any until I was mostly done (and he didn't care), but the actual assembly wasn't what I would call difficult. The worst part for me was a) figuring out how the split in the back worked and then b) I had never lined anything like a coat before so I didn't cut my lining quite big enough. Long story short...I do not think it was especially difficult. (Yes, I used a sewing machine.)

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I have only made one. Drafted it myself with my friend's measurements from an 1855 tailors book (I'm still shocked I got it right on the first try--I am not mathematical). I did not put the padding in because I didn't realize it should have had any until I was mostly done (and he didn't care), but the actual assembly wasn't what I would call difficult. The worst part for me was a) figuring out how the split in the back worked and then b) I had never lined anything like a coat before so I didn't cut my lining quite big enough. Long story short...I do not think it was especially difficult. (Yes, I used a sewing machine.)

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Awesome! Nice job!

Were the sleeves a pill? That's where the bad words come in for me.
 
@LoriAnn I don't recall that they gave me much, if any, trouble. Of course, I crammed the frock, a pair of trousers, and a shirt into just under two weeks of sewing. I had it ready to go in early July, but then my grandpa went into the hospital and I didn't touch anything sewing related until after his funeral three and half weeks later and I had two weeks to get the whole shibang made....I don't remember much except that I did nothing but sew, eat, and sleep. And if it hadn't been for my mom and younger sister pitching in the last two days I never would have made my deadline because I got sick. All in all, I don't find sleeves too bad--except for the time that I clear forgot how to put them in. Lyme disease will do that to you... :whistling:
 
@LoriAnn I don't recall that they gave me much, if any, trouble. Of course, I crammed the frock, a pair of trousers, and a shirt into just under two weeks of sewing. I had it ready to go in early July, but then my grandpa went into the hospital and I didn't touch anything sewing related until after his funeral three and half weeks later and I had two weeks to get the whole shibang made....I don't remember much except that I did nothing but sew, eat, and sleep. And if it hadn't been for my mom and younger sister pitching in the last two days I never would have made my deadline because I got sick. All in all, I don't find sleeves too bad--except for the time that I clear forgot how to put them in. Lyme disease will do that to you... :whistling:
Oh Miss Rep, I'm sorry about the loss of your grandpa. :frown:

(As for sleeves, I can't remember how to put them in when I'm healthy. You are WAY ahead of me.)
 
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