Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

[Skutatos]

The quality seems far below what you see in most examples. It has quite a different look to it than I am used to seeing. Any thoughts on this?

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010648802/

[dirtyshirt]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

Interesting. Almost looks like it is felt that is napping up. Nice find.

[Skutatos]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

Ive noticed a few others with a similar nap, I will try to post them later when I have time.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

I think the english word for it is pilling. The same I have recognized after wear for a wile on some fabrics I use.

[Skutatos]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

Sorry it has taken so long, my internet connection is slow and spotty at best and it can take me a while to upload photos.

I agree that it's "pilling", it's just the degree to which it is occurring that is interesting. Normally it appears in areas of high wear, like under the armpits. I think that either material used in that particular coat had alot of loose fibers or that it has been washed repeatedly in hot water.

This image, also from the LOC, shows a similar level of pilling. This blouse appears to have collar hooks and the buttons seem to have been moved over an inch or two. For a tighter fit possibly? In any case, the buttons are off-center:

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010648868/

I'm going to toss in another photograph I found on the LOC that is something of a curiosity. His blouse looks like it might be coming apart at the shoulder and the gold chain is a bit different. The combination of a holster and cap pouch is interesting.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010648894/

[Prodical Reb]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

due to the contrast of the first pic you can't tell if the pants are pilling also; but in the 2nd & 3rd likenesses the pants are also pilling up. I would bet that if one were to wash his clothes repeatedly with a wash board this would occur to your wool articles of clothing. Keep your local laundress employed!

rub (with cake of soap).
scrub (on your washboard).
Rinse (clothes)
Repeat until clean!

Rub-a-dub-dub.

[Illinois Rebel]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

Piling for sure. The quality of the cloth was probably middle to low grade. (Nothing a good scraping couldn't fix...)

Off topic...I really Like the Saxon Musket the fellow has in the first Photo!

Respectfully,

Michael Collins

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

The second fella seems to be wearing his belt backwards, or at least sideways. I admit to having occasionally done this with some of my webbing trouser belts as it produces a sash/cumberbund effect, but I hav'nt seen it with the accoutrement belt before.

[4thVirginiaSoldier]

Re: Odd looking Fatigue Blouse

I like the first photo a lot. It just goes to show how much those people who were making the blouses really didn't care how they turned out in the end. The sleeves are pretty terrible looking, but a really cool photo nonetheless.