Material for under shirts.

[Time_Traveller_1864]

Hello All,
I am new to the campaigning side of the hobby and I had a question that went through my mind as I was debating on sewing my own under shirt. When I go to a fabric store to buy cotton what types of patterns designs should I look for?What should I look out for. Is there a special type of thread I should use? Obviously if I am gonna go through the trouble of hand sewing a shirt I want it to be period correct. If someone could help me I'd greatly appreicate it.

thanks all

Jacob A. Shaika

15th Alabama Co. H

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Jacob,

I'm a new-comer around here and have been able to glean volumes of great information in the year I've read the contents of this board and cooresponded with many fine individuals here.

In my opinion, going to a local fabric store will yield you fabric, thread and buttons that are not authentic at all. I would suggest that you do some targeted research into what your unit was issued or received from Alabama in the way of shirts before buying anything. That research should illuminate you into what fabric and types of shirts available. If you are looking for generic information, you should do a search of these forums. that function never ceases to amaze me in what information it finds.

There are probably going to be a number of replies to your request for information, I made my first shirt off of one of Charlie Childs patterns and used fabric and thread from his business. His web site is http://www.crchilds.com/index.htm There are a number of other good vendors out there, I've only identified County Cloth because I had a good experience with their products.

Good Luck...

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Material for under shirts.

I would also add that you can use the search feature with this forum and you will find several postings on this matter from recent past, and would echo that you can also try to research anything on the particular unit or timeframe you plan to portray. That often doesn't yield much in the line of detailed types of shirts, but can give you some general ideas. From a general standpoint, the Federal army tended to issue undershirts in knit cotton and canton flannel, and both sides had a great variety in other materials and types.

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Hello all. It seems to me like flannel is the most common material for an undershirt. Don't forget that civilians also wore undershirts. If you are doing early war, you could get away with just about anything that you could have brought from home. What was issued is important, but don't hinge your decision on that. Soldiers often wore stuff from before the war if they could not get it through the army.

Sincerely,
William Chapman
40th Va. Infantry, Co. B
and
Signal Corps of the James
http://www.theyoungcampaigner.com

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Why would one need an "under-shirt" for reenacting? In the Civil War era, all shirts were essentially regarded as undershirts. Want a second layer under your outer shirt? Then wear a second shirt.

[tmdreb]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Kevin,

How do you not know the difference between shirts and undershirts of the period by now? A tiny bit of research would reveal they're quite different. Why not use the search function and read up on the topic?

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Material for under shirts.

You're right. I should try doing a tiny bit of research. I'm just lazy, I guess.

[Garrett Silliman]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Jacob,

Welcome to the AC! To reiterate what Ross said, I would shy away from purchasing material at the local fabric store until you become very familiar with period materials. There can be some "diamonds in the ruff" in unlikely places, but it is imperative that you know exactly what you are looking for, and at for that matter. Todd Morris, an approved AC vendor, has done some good research concerning men's bottom shirts during our period. He may be willing to steer you in a more direct way if you were to contact him. Here is a link to his bottom shirt page

http://www.morris-clothiers.com/drawers.html

and here is a link to a picture of the original bottom shirt that Mr. Morris copied from the park service collection

http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/gettex/exb/existing_DaytoDay/GETT28256A_28256B_28257.html

Good luck, Garrett

[tmdreb]

Re: Material for under shirts.

You're right. I should try doing a tiny bit of research. I'm just lazy, I guess.

It's ok, it happens to the best of us. Oh, while you're at it, considering your statement that "In the Civil War era, all shirts were essentially regarded as undershirts" you may also want to look into another garment called an "overshirt" that clearly flies in the face of that rule.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Kevin,
I have seen mention to "bottom shirt" which is in essence the grandfather of the modern day undershirt. What the original poster is talking about is just a shirt. I see "shirt" used more than "undershirt" in reference to the shirt worn directly under your jacket.

An "overshirt" was a substitute for a jacket and therefore, made of something a bit heavier than your run of the mill cotton.

David Slay was kind enough to forward me some pictures of shirting made in Mississippi before and during the Civil War, but as they are his pictures I will not post them here.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Hello All,
I am new to the campaigning side of the hobby and I had a question that went through my mind as I was debating on sewing my own under shirt. When I go to a fabric store to buy cotton what types of patterns designs should I look for?What should I look out for. Is there a special type of thread I should use? Obviously if I am gonna go through the trouble of hand sewing a shirt I want it to be period correct. If someone could help me I'd greatly appreicate it.

thanks all

Jacob A. Shaika

15th Alabama Co. H

After reading your post, I would suggest ordering/buying a shirt from one of the authentic vendors who knows what they are doing instead.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Material for under shirts.

Gentlemen,

I'm aware of the differences. Just made the mistake of responding based on the assumption the poster was, like probably the vast majority of reenactors, applying modern concepts to the era. In the Civil War, they didn't have Hanes white undershirts.

My responses on such matters often tend to direct a poster who may not have written much here previously toward the "typical" than the nuances. I apologize for the inherent errors in my thinking and advice.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Material for under shirts.

While they did not have Hanes shirts there certainly are originals supporting the similar idea and nature. In a recent thread there are images provided by Brian White and Todd Morris of original garments.