SA sack coat question

[snk22nd]

I hope someone can help me. I see that Dan Wambaugh sells a kit. I was wondering if anyone has gotten the kit? If so how difficult it is to sew it together? I have a little background in sewing. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: SA sack coat question

Scott, I've used that kit and found it had great directions, and if you have a little experience with the basic stitches, you should have little trouble. It may be a little challenging if you don't have much period sewing experience, but follow the directions and look at the pictures provided with each step, and I think it is well worth the effort. If you get stuck a little, Dan and company are also willing to give advice.

[Johan Steele]

Re: SA sack coat question

I bought a Matt Caldwell Sack Coat last year from W&W and after the outstanding service suggested W&W to several people. I know two gents who purchased kits from them in the last year or so and neither had any real problems.

Good Luck, you will be pleased w/ the product, of that I have no doubt.

[suspenderless pard]

Re: SA sack coat question

Dan sends you color photo's and excellent instructions for his kits. Very easy to follow.

Sean

[roundshot]

Re: SA sack coat question

These are great kits and Dan's instructions are the best. However, I've found it helpful to build files of actual photos found on the internet of the garment you're working on. There are loads of good photos out there on various sites(Wedeward, Daley, Galla Rock, Horse Soldier) of various types of clothing.They can help with some of the little nuances of construction you don't glean from just the instructions. Particulary since few of us have original garments laying around to inspect. Warning: once you roll your own, you'll be hooked.

[Texyank]

Re: SA sack coat question

That is no lie I am hooked and my wife is feeling neglected (now she knows how I felt after our twins were born). Since the kit arrived last week I have been working. There was an initial shock when reading the directions which faded quickly (though I have been annoying Dan a bit since then). The kit goes together really well. I am just about ready to work the button holes and topstitch the edges, cuffs, & c. This is the part that I am really nervous about. I am going to stop and practice buttonholes for a while before I add them (I think I will do them last).

Hate to hi-jack here but I wanted to ask a question:

Are trowsers any more or less difficult than a fatigue blouse? If yes, what are the more difficult aspects? I am really digging this sewing thing and want to make those also if they are within the skill set of a novice seamster. Also, any experience with the Child's SA trowser kit?

Yer pard,

Jason Hamby

In memory of Thomas Jefferson Humberson, Private Wall's Texas Legion

[Matt_E_Wright]

Re: SA sack coat question

From my experience, trousers are somewhat more difficult than a fatigue blouse to sew. The fly is probably the most difficult to conceptualize and the side eam pockets might leave you scratching your head a little bit.

I love Charlie Childs's kits. I've successfully used his kits and patterns to sew everything from shirts and drawers to a double breasted frock coat. The pieces are always very precisely cut, and line up perfectly. That being said, the directions are not necessarily written for the beginer. There aren't any pictures - just the occaisional diagram - and he doesn't fully describe every step. You need to be able to look at the pieces and visualize how they will fit together. I recommend having a few slightly more advanced garments under your belt than a sack coat before trying to tackle trousers. To my mind the logical progression would be to move from the sack coat to a CS shell jacket (but NOT an SA Infantry Jacket) and then once your comfortable there, moving to trousers.

Another alternative you may consider would be to purchase an SA trouser pattern from Charlie and make a pair out of some cheaper material so that you get all the bugs out before you cut any wool.

Whichever way you go, good luck.

Matt Wright

[Canton Zouave]

Re: SA sack coat question

Allow me to add and commend a fellow vendor. I have assembled a couple of Dan's Kits for customers. The materials that he uses are top rate, and even though I have assembled my fare share of sack coats I highly recommned his instructions over all others for their images and comments. For someone who has the basic skills the instructions will guide you to final completion with very little effort. If you get stuck, just ask Dan, I am sure he will help.

[acwillen]

Re: SA sack coat question

I just finished my Wambaugh sack coat kit a couple weeks ago. I guess I'm the dumb one here, because I was sending Dan another email (or two) almost every day asking a question for clarification here and there. Dan answered every one with the patience of a saint.

Don't get me wrong, the instructions are good - they just have a few points where he uses different terminology than I learned, for example.

Good materials (the lining material he uses sure gets favorable comments around here, though I haven't yet figured out where to install the batteries :) ), good instructions, outstanding service. I dislike sewing for myself, though I sew for my wife all the time; however, this kit was fun to put together.

[AZReenactor]

I feel I ought to through my $.02 in as well. I've assembled one of Dan's SA sack coat kits and a US issue shirt kit and found the instructions to be some of the best available. I am very happy with them both and am looking forward to a W&W SA trouser kit (hint, HINT) so I can complete the ensemble. Dan's SA sack coat is a good quality kit with good instructions, a very good choice for getting started on sewing your own high quality gear.

[bhutton]

Re: SA sack coat question

I have also just ordered the kit from Dan , I have a hand sewn pair of SA trousers he made for me a year or so ago , they are really excellant , thanks for the tips , I am a novice in the needle and thread arena , but it sounds like it's not too difficult, any info on sites for basic stitches or techniques would be appreciated

[Texyank]

Re: SA sack coat question

Bob,

My only other project besides Dan's kit has been an issue shirt. Congrats on the kit. It really is a rush to sit back and look at what I have made. I am really thinking of making my own trowsers, just taking my time and looking at originals in photos etc...I was really hoping Dan was going to have SA trowser kits soon but I don't think it is going to happen to fit the time frame I need. I don't have any Fed trowsers so I need to get a pair ASAP. Good luck with your blouse, it is great fun.

Jason Hamby

In memory of Thomas Jefferson Humberson, Private, Wall's Texas Legion

[Canton Zouave]

Re: SA sack coat question

Period sewing techniques....posted once again!

http://www.vintagesewing.info/19th.html

[Major Dad]

Re: SA sack coat question

Dear Private Scott,

I just finished the drawers kit and didn’t have any real problems until I tried to finish the fly area but a little help from a good seamstress (my 80 year old mom) fixed that problem. I’m starting the Sack coat right now as I sit in my hotel room in Beijing. I travel a lot and work on the kits in my room when I’m not working. The new CRRC helps quite a bit with historical information, as does the encouragement from Dan. Buttonholes and grommets turned out to be quite time consuming but surprising easy, and I’ve had no sewing background to speak of. I’d be happy to compare notes during the construction and am also awaiting the SA trou kits.

Rick Snyder
Private, 116th PVI
Major, USMC, Retired