Hey yous guyz,
I am new to the neighborhood, but interested in a doing a civilian impression for some WW2 re-enacting. We are heavily into the civil war at this point.
I am trying to find patterns for a man's suit from the era. Any suggestions? My wife is good enough to make the suit and/or I'd have it made.
Here's lookin' at you,
Big Joe
Well, good luck with that. I've been trying to scare up a suit pattern for some time now in my size. About a rare as hens teeth so far. The only thing that I did find is a reproduction pattern from Vogue Patterns for a Zoot Suit. Other than that, I think we're in for a long search.
If you happen to find a good resource please let me know.
Cheers!
Dan
"If you believe everything you read, better not read." - Japanese Proverb
I have found a great resource for vintage mens clothing patterns. It has everything from overcoats and such to suits, sporting clothes and eveningwear.
But...it only covers the period from 1902 through about 1917. So if you want a suit of the 'teens style then I can really help you out. But in terms of 20s-40s I don't have any of those.
The only thing you can do is find a vintage suit that's maybe one size to small, and... possibly could be ripped to shreds, and take it to a tailor and have him draft patterns from it. except to pay about $1,000 + not including the material you have to find.
Unfortunately, I have been collecting patterns for about 6 years off and on and have never come across a men's suit pattern! I have occasionally seen jacket or slacks patterns, which could be combined to make a suit, but never a whole suit. The best bet, as Daniel mentioned, is to find a suit in poor condition to use as a pattern. If your wife sews then she can take it apart and draft a pattern from it on pattern paper. Even if it's too small or too large, once you've got the base for it you can have her size it up or down for you. Good luck on your quest!
http://wearinghistoryblog.com
"...be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
I've been trying for a long time to find a suit pattern in darn near any size.
A men's sut isn't just sewing, it's tailoring, a huge difference. People didn't make suits at home then just as they rarely do now.
But best of luck! If you find one, you can make copies and sell them all day to hundreds of men here.
.
A sense of the fundamental decencies is parcelled out unequally at birth. - Fitzgerald
.
YOU DO COME ACROSS VINTAGE PATTERNS OVER HERE IN UK IN SECOND HAND CHARITY TYPE SHOPS!
I WILL KEEP AN EYE OUT THERE VERY CHEAP WHEN YOU FIND THEM ,THERE WERE MORE SUITS MADE OVER AT HOME HERE IN THE WAR YEARS AND JUST AFTER DUE TO STRICT CLOTH RATIONING .
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS A SEAMSTRESS DURING WW2 AND HAD MANY MENS AND WOMENS PATTERNS FROM THE 30,S TO 50,S, SHE DIED BACK IN THE LATE 80,S WHAT HAPPEND TO THEM I DO;NT KNOW.
There's a girl who'd buy a few tooOriginally Posted by scotrace
http://wearinghistoryblog.com
"...be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
Check out this book for a bunch of patterns that can be altered to create a vintage looking suit. Also, study the patterns in the book and go to a museum and check out some of the suits and see where the stock patterns can be altered. Here is a link to the book. It was written about 20 years ago and is from an author that has learned from the good old days of tailoring
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...175354-9802227
I just ordered it along with another book about tailoring. you can have a look at the table of contents on amazon.com
Man!
Keep us updated!
If they've got any belt-backs, please share!
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