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Reproduction classic workwear

flat-top

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,772
Location
Palookaville, NY
marineabilly said:
Based on this photo alone, I'm diggin' Howie's shirt on this evening's America's Got Talent. Does anyone here have an idea of it's origin?
I'll take a stab and say Post O'Alls. I actually really have no Idea, but I can see them shopping at Barney's for Howie's "wacky" wardrobe.
 

H.Johnson

One Too Many
Messages
1,562
Location
Midlands, UK
I have just finished making a prototype pair of work pants like this, made from old (1940s) tent canvas. I received some assistance from a lady who is teaching me to sew, although the pattern is much easier to follow and make up than most pants. The most difficult thing for me was obtaining the correct buttons 1940s and sewing the button-holes.

The cost was around 20 GBP (most of it the buttons) and the general effect is of convincing age. I would recommend anyone with basic sewing skills to have a try.

marineabilly said:
^ and not a bad price for Rising Sun! :eusa_clap
 

Creeping Past

One Too Many
Messages
1,567
Location
England
Good work. Are you using a pattern taken from an existing pair of trousers?

I'm having sewing lessons at the moment, after a couple of years of false-starting on my own. My first effort, a waistcoat, is almost finished and I'm planning a rejigged waistcoat pattern and then a pair of jeans. I saw these Rising Sun ones and have been considering adapting a commercial jeans pattern by replacing inset pockets with patch pockets.

Not sure how I'm going to get a button fly, but slowly does it...
 

H.Johnson

One Too Many
Messages
1,562
Location
Midlands, UK
Mr. Past,

Excellent! I think it's great that a few of the FL'ers are making things for themselves. It's very satisfying, saves (a lot of) money and is somehow more 'vintage' than Web shopping. Also, I know of quite a few people who have turned such a hobby into a small business that makes them a living.

I'd like to see a situation come around again where there are numerous small, local businesses making hand-crafted products. That will only occur if people stop 'shopping across the world.

In answer to your question, I made a pattern from a pair of Pike Brothers US Navy work pants. I like the pants, but wanted brown duck like my 1873 Levi's work pants. The British Army used canvas that is near perfect in the WW2 period. Patch pockets are much easier. For a true period effect hand-sewn (corded) buttonholes are best, but most machines now have an automatic buttonhole mode.

Creeping Past said:
Good work. Are you using a pattern taken from an existing pair of trousers?

I'm having sewing lessons at the moment, after a couple of years of false-starting on my own. My first effort, a waistcoat, is almost finished and I'm planning a rejigged waistcoat pattern and then a pair of jeans. I saw these Rising Sun ones and have been considering adapting a commercial jeans pattern by replacing inset pockets with patch pockets.

Not sure how I'm going to get a button fly, but slowly does it...
 

Creeping Past

One Too Many
Messages
1,567
Location
England
Thanks for the info. The tent canvas idea is a good one. I've not got the storage space to accumulate much 'interesting' stuff at the moment, otherwise the odd canvas tent, etc., is exactly the kind of usable thing I'd be cluttering my place with.

Six hours into sewing, from scratch, and the waistcoat's nearly done. It looks good for a first attempt (unlined, neat French seams all over the place, two rows of stitching, olive green thread on cheap-as-chips 12 oz-ish undyed twill/denim).

The trousers will be brown twill or canvas.

I've designed a jacket with hidden darts and a simple buckle back for adjustment at the waist. If the jeans go ok, it's onward to a full outfit, taking small steps.

If these turn out wearable, I'd like to make more and maybe begin selling my products locally in a year or two. If I do this, I'm considering covering three sizes only...at the other end of the tape measure from you! No reason for this, other than it'll likely never be more than a paying hobby, if I decide to stick at it, and I've not got the space or time to cater to a full range of sizes.
 

Hepville

One of the Regulars
Messages
246
Location
Germany
volatile said:
Curses; the new 201s don't seem to be available in Europe [yet?]... those brick ones are hella purdy!

I´ve saw them on an European Site... can´t remember where at the moment...
 

Feraud

Bartender
Messages
17,190
Location
Hardlucksville, NY
H.Johnson said:
Mr. Past,

Excellent! I think it's great that a few of the FL'ers are making things for themselves. It's very satisfying, saves (a lot of) money and is somehow more 'vintage' than Web shopping. Also, I know of quite a few people who have turned such a hobby into a small business that makes them a living.

I'd like to see a situation come around again where there are numerous small, local businesses making hand-crafted products. That will only occur if people stop 'shopping across the world.
It is great to see such creativity and entrepreneurim at work.
 

H.Johnson

One Too Many
Messages
1,562
Location
Midlands, UK
I got all excited when I read this - I thought Levi Strauss had reissued their classic 'sailcloth' 201 jeans, or even the (exceptionally rare) 1937 201XX. A pity they aren't. I have a pair of the 1990s LVC 201XX repro. and they are terrific - much better (IMO) than the 501XX repro from the same period.

marineabilly said:
I picked up a black pair of 201s at the Levis store tonight - great fit!! I was up in the air between the MF Midnight Riders and this was a perfect replacement at a fourth of the price. I have the MF Chino Riders and these bad boys fit equal if not better. Highly recommended. I might have to get the brick colored ones online.

Cheers!!!
 

Rats Riley

A-List Customer
Messages
365
Location
Whitewater WI
River Junction Trade Company

When it comes to reproduction clothing that needs to last..IE reenacting, stunts and spills... try checking out River Junction Trade Company. I've been buying from them for years. They're right in McGreagor Iowa and they make most of their own stuff. If you want REAL wool or duck canvas or worsted work pants with the high waist...I think they pretty much got it.

Anyway, here's the link

http://www.riverjunction.com/

Trousers
http://www.riverjunction.com/Trousers--Cotton--Heirloom-Brand-_p_79.html

Dress Wool trousers
http://www.riverjunction.com/Trousers--Dress-Wool--Heirloom-Brand-_p_82.html

Worsted Wool
http://www.riverjunction.com/Trousers--Worsted-Wool--Heirloom-Brand-_p_80.html

I think they might also do special orders. But they might chagre you extra??

I'm pretty sure they would also match pants vest and jacket if you ask??
 

Creeping Past

One Too Many
Messages
1,567
Location
England
I can recommend River Junction's shirts, but not their wool pants. The pair I ordered from them a couple of years ago were made in a fabric that was unsuitable for pants; the cut was very poor; and the finishing was bad.

Maybe they were going through a rough patch back then, but based on this bad experience, including communication problems relating to an extended delay in supplying said poor-quality garment, I shan't be ordering wool pants - or another other pants - from them again.
 

Feraud

Bartender
Messages
17,190
Location
Hardlucksville, NY
Showing some good stuff
http://craftworkwear.blogspot.com/2010/07/mister-freedom-fall-oh-ten.html

MFSC_Pjacket.jpg

MFSC_DeckJacket.jpg

MFSC_MidnightCPO.jpg
 

lci419

Familiar Face
Messages
66
Location
Tennessee
Creeping Past said:
I can recommend River Junction's shirts, but not their wool pants. The pair I ordered from them a couple of years ago were made in a fabric that was unsuitable for pants; the cut was very poor; and the finishing was bad.

Maybe they were going through a rough patch back then, but based on this bad experience, including communication problems relating to an extended delay in supplying said poor-quality garment, I shan't be ordering wool pants - or another other pants - from them again.

My experience has always been that when I see phrases such as this from a vendor:

...trousers are typical of those worn from the 1860s through the turn of the last century. Men's styles did not change much in the
way of pants during this time.


You'll find that these would have been worn by soldiers, ranch hands, ranch owners, trappers, traders and town folks alike. About the only thing that sets one apart from the other would be the type and pattern of material used.

...they clearly haven't done any clothing research and are likely to produce schlock.
 

The Good

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,361
Location
California, USA
I bought a Converse One Star shirt at Target the other day. It has narrow blue pinstripes on the main white color. Far off, it presents itself with a pale blue appearance, sometimes even light grey. I would imagine that it's somewhat classically inspired, at least. Picture coming tomorrow, perhaps.
 

Jan

One of the Regulars
Messages
165
Location
Bay Area
^ a lot from that brand is extremely "work wear" inspired.
The cuts, styling, an "fabric" they used to give a little breakdown.
Of course, they aren't as thick or have little detailing as real vintage work wear shirts would have... But for $20 or so, they are pretty decent shirts.

Most, if not all of my button downs are from Target.

They're cheap and they look good. So I can't complain.
 

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