Sewing a State Shell Jacket

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,



Does anyone know how hard it is to sew a Federal State Jacket? I have sewn many different shell jacket ( 2 "commutation" shell jackets, CSA 4 button infantry shell jacket) along with civilian and Federal sack coats, and I would like to know if the State Jacket is hard than any of these. I would also like to know if the SA shell jacket is harder than any of the jackets that I have already sewn. Thanks.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

Andrew,

Your question is a little difficult and open ended. If you'll permit an analogy, I'll use your own post to stage a question a person walking into a mechanic's garage might pose:

"Does anyone know how hard it is to make a Buick? I have made many different cars (2 Fords, a '98 Toyota Camry) along with an Astro van and Caravan, and I would like to know if the Buick is hard than any of these. I would also like to know if the '68 Charger is harder than any of the cars that I have already made. Thanks."


My point is that this is a very difficult question to say "yes" or "no" or "here's what you need to do". In the end, a lot of the skills that you use to complete one project can be transferred to another, but while you're talking about garments these are very different animals in their details and variations. Likewise, there was no one pattern of "state jacket" and your best bet is to research what you want to make either through examining originals or at least examining pictures and figuring out what you want to do. A jacket produced for Ohio troops would be very different from one produced in Illinois which in turn would be different from one produced in Michigan.

Hopefully this makes sense and can help you on the path toward producing a jacket for yourself.


Best,

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

Hi,

Thanks. I do see your point on the jackets and there details.

[red]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

To give you somewhat of an answer, the dificulty of sewing a state jacket will depend on what exactly you do. for an example, you have plenty of leeway if you pick an Illinois state jacket, as there were patterns that were very simple, very much like simple rebel jackets, and patterns that include many complex parts, belt loops, epaulets, frock coat style cuffs. you may wish to start with a simpler one, and work up to a complex state jacket, both may be correct for the same unit.

hope this helps.
Ian

[rebjeb04]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

Hey Andrew,

You might try going to www.thesewingacademy.org, then to the mens clothing section. Several tutorials have been posted here with pictures and a ton of other great info on garment construction. You may have to create an account to view the posts, but its worth it and you'll learn alot.

Good Luck,

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

Hi,

Thanks for the link.

[Spewy]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

I don't know what your specific requirements are but I have had luck with the "Ohio" State Jacket Kit that County Cloth sells. I put four of them together this spring for the Pea Ridge event. It sounds like you and I have about the same amount of sewing experience and I didn't have any trouble figuring out the instructions. Depending on the style of jacket you need the "Ohio" kit can be modified to look like several other styles of Jackets including the "Illinois" Jacket. It is however not adaptable to the "New York" or other Patterns that are longer and have Belt Loops. I hope this helps.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: Sewing a State Shell Jacket

Hi,

Thanks, I have been thinking about getting a kit for a State Jacket from County Cloth.