Timeless Stitches sewing patterns

[d.perry]

What are the opinions on sewing patterns offered by Timeless Stitches. Has anyone used them? How true to authenticity are the cuts and are they easy to follow for someone who has some sewing experience? If I don't buy the WW & Co. Drawers Kit, I was looking at Timeless Stitches Drawers Pattern. I need a shirt, so plan is to start with their 19th Century Shirt Pattern using a cotton check fabric to resemble a homespun shirt. I am sure the second or third one I make may be acceptable quality wise but would like to start out with an acceptable pattern in case my skills surprise me.

 

[RedRover]

If you just need the army drawers pattern, you can get it from Charles R. Childs:

County Cloth/C.R. Childs: army patterns, drawers...

Sources for the "canton flannel" for army drawers (a sturdy cotton flannel) include Childs, Wambaugh, and Tart.

The drawers pattern you see online from Timeless, judging solely by the image of the finished piece, looks like a pair of scrubs with some old timey modification.
As regards their shirt pattern, according to the listing, and this review, it is evidently just "old timey" and is not based on anything specifically civil war...

Pattern Review...

Though I personally have no experience with their patterns, so cannot judge their patterns or instructions, etc. I will just share that my own experience with sutlery costume patterns nearly convinced me that sewing garments was difficult. tailor's patterns (like Childs) are cut for the pieces to actually fit together, and convinced me to keep on stitching.

Childs/county cloth sells a period man's shirt pattern, with cuffs, etc., copied from the shirt of Confederate soldier Henry Hollyday (essentially a citizen's shirt). (look under CS patterns on his site). Or the simpler "Louisiana" soldier's shirt. These patterns could be used with any material, plain, checks, etc. He also has the US Army issue flannel shirt pattern if required (though cotton citizen's shirts are much more comfortable in the summer!)

BandB Tart has some excellent check shirtings on his cloth page, suitable for 1860s stuff. Wambaugh has lots too:

Wambaugh, shirtings...

 

[d.perry]

If you just need the army drawers pattern, you can get it from Charles R. Childs:

County Cloth/C.R. Childs: army patterns, drawers...

Sources for the "canton flannel" for army drawers (a sturdy cotton flannel) include Childs, Wambaugh, and Tart.

The drawers pattern you see online, judging solely by the image of the finished piece, looks like a pair of scrubs with some old timey modification.
As regards their shirt pattern, according to the listing, and this review, it is evidently just "old timey" and is not based on anything specifically civil war...

Pattern Review...

Childs/county cloth sells a period man's shirt pattern, with cuffs, etc., copied from the shirt of Confederate soldier Henry Hollyday (essentially a citizen's shirt). (look under CS patterns on his site). Or the simpler "Louisiana" soldier's shirt. These patterns could be used with any material, plain, checks, etc. He also has the US Army issue flannel shirt pattern if required (though cotton citizen's shirts are much more comfortable in the summer!)

BandB Tart has some excellent check shirtings on his cloth page, suitable for 1860s stuff. Wambaugh has lots too:

Wambaugh, shirtings...

Thank you.

 

[captaindrew]

I would second the above recommendation, if your going to make something yourself I'd go with one of the kits from Wambaugh or Tart, you know the pattern and materials will be correct.

 

[d.perry]

I would second the above recommendation, if your going to make something yourself I'd go with one of the kits from Wambaugh or Tart, you know the pattern and materials will be correct.

I saw both Childs and Wambaugh offer a Schuylkill Arsenal Trouser Kit. The Childs is material only (no buttons or thread), versus the Wambaugh kit includes everything needed to complete. Should this sway me to buy the kit from Wambaugh, as there will be no need to search buttons and thread? Any other quality differences I should know?

 

[captaindrew]

I saw both Childs and Wambaugh offer a Schuylkill Arsenal Trouser Kit. The Childs is material only (no buttons or thread), versus the Wambaugh kit includes everything needed to complete. Should this sway me to buy the kit from Wambaugh, as there will be no need to search buttons and thread? Any other quality differences I should know?

I get just about all my clothing/uniforms from Wambaugh, never been disappointed, the best workmanship in the business IMO. The only downfall is it can be a long wait for finished garments. I've never been brave enough to try a kit, I believe they ship out rather quickly.

 

[RedRover]

Any other quality differences I should know?

Quality wise, relative to their fabric and patterns, probably very little difference regarding army pants. both use sky blue "kersey" woven cloth for the trousers. And dark blue kersey for army coats and jackets, and blue flannel for the fatigue blouses, like the originals. And period tailor's patterns.

It is very convenient for Mr. W. to offer the complete kit, with buttons and thread.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I ordered a haversack kit from Wambaugh earlier this year, and it was in my hand in less than 1 week.

Also if you're looking for an excuse to go to Gettysburg, Regimental Quartermaster is selling Wambaugh kits in store. Then you can have it in your hand the same day!

 

[d.perry]

Today I ordered the federal issue army drawers pattern and a regulation shirt pattern from Chas.R.Childs / County Cloth. Now I am on the hunt locally for fabrics. I want to make at least one of each before investing in authentic textiles. So far planning to get buttons from The Button Baron, unless I find another source in my travels.

Thank you to those who offered their input to my question.

 

[d.perry]

Also if you're looking for an excuse to go to Gettysburg, Regimental Quartermaster is selling Wambaugh kits in store. Then you can have it in your hand the same day!

Great info. I read elsewhere that Regimental Quartermaster primarily sold costume grade items to tourists, is this true?

 

[RedRover]

Great info. I read elsewhere that Regimental Quartermaster primarily sold costume grade items to tourists, is this true?

That company has sold a wide variety of stuff, as regards quality, and similarity to original garments, etc. Never been to their shop in G-burg, so don't know if they sell stuff to tourists (why not?).

If you want cheaper stuff suitable for reenactment. They have it. Do others sell stuff more akin to the original clothing? Yes.

Different reenactment groups have different standards. Some vendors meet one standard, and not another.

 

[captaindrew]

Great info. I read elsewhere that Regimental Quartermaster primarily sold costume grade items to tourists, is this true?

They have a mix, some tourist stuff, some typical sutler row stuff, and at times do have some nice stuff in stock. They get some stuff from Wambaugh and White, typically Federal Fatigue Blouses and a few CS jackets occasionally, but they mark it up quite a bit, but on the other side there's no wait if they have something in your size. Their website has been pretty sparse lately, but it's always on my list of stops in Gettysburg though to see what's in the store. S&S is always worth a stop while in town also.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

They're under new management, and so have shifted a bit. The new manager was telling us he's trying to get a more regular supply of W&W gear, and also has a consignment section now as well.

 

[d.perry]

The patterns from Chas.R.Childs / County Cloth arrived today (actually yesterday's mail but opened then today).
I ordered:

• Hollyday Shirt Pattern which I will use for a civilian homespun shirt.
• U. S. Regulation Shirt Pattern
• U. S. Drawers Pattern

In the next stage of preparation, I have ordered fabric swatches from B & B Tart's Tartex Textiles so I can make an informed decision before ordering yardages of fabric. I have also been looking at the Button Baron webpage.

If anyone has completed any of these patterns, tips and tricks are appreciated.

 

[captaindrew]

Make sure for the US issue shirt you get the correct domet flannel, although cotton would be 100% more comfortable

 

[captaindrew]

If you're dealing with Tart and have some questions give him a call, he is a wealth of info and very friendly the couple times I've talked to him.

 

[d.perry]

Make sure for the US issue shirt you get the correct domet flannel, although cotton would be 100% more comfortable

Plan is to use the domet flannel on the regulation shirt, as I am attempting to get it as correct as I am able. My first attempt will be made from fabric store material as I can then make and learn by my mistakes before cutting into $XX.00 a yard fabric.

 

[captaindrew]

Plan is to use the domet flannel on the regulation shirt, as I am attempting to get it as correct as I am able. My first attempt will be made from fabric store material as I can then make and learn by my mistakes before cutting into $XX.00 a yard fabric.

I hate the domet flannel, I'm glad I don't go Federal too often. It's a nessisary evil though if putting a good Federal kit together, it's often required at the campaigner events. There is an alternative though, there's an alternate issue shirt in grey flannel, W&W and a few others make them, that fabric is so much softer. If I did Federal more often I'd get one of those.

 

[d.perry]

Great tip on the alternative material. Thank you. The beauty of having the pattern is I can sew as many shirts as I want made from various materials.

 

[RedRover]

Plan is to use the domet flannel on the regulation shirt, as I am attempting to get it as correct as I am able. My first attempt will be made from fabric store material as I can then make and learn by my mistakes before cutting into $XX.00 a yard fabric.

For testing purposes, I have generally bought old bed sheets at thirft stores for as low as a buck each.

the domet flannel is pretty coarse. I had one, but used it for demonstration. I "farbed" out and made one from actual wool flannel which was much more comfortable. I don't recall anyone actually telling the difference visually.