Hello All! I need some help and advice

The advice you'll get in alt.sewing will not differ in any substantial way from the responses you already received in rec.crafts.textiles.sewing. ;-)

Beverly

Thanks Beverly! I would like to point out, however, that you have illustrated the reason I posted the same prompt on two different feeds. You saw my post on the other feed, but did not respond; You did, however, respond to my post on this feed. You have fulfilled my purposes immensely well. Thanks again.

I do find it hard to believe that there are not some people on this feed who are not also on the other.

For those of you who are double-subscribed, please excuse the re- post. For those of you who saw the original post on rec.crafts.textiles.sewing but chose not to respond, feel free to use this second opportunity to sound off.

For those of you (and I'm sure you're out there) who are not currently subscribed to rec.crafts.textiles.sewing, ignore all that has previously been said (including assertions that you have no more ideas that the six people who responded to my post on rec.crafts.textiles.sewing.) Please respond to the original message as you normally would.

Thanks again Bev!

Mike

Most of "us" read both groups. ;-)

I saw it, others had already covered pretty much anything I would have written.

That's altogether possible, alt.sewing is much more active than r.c.t.s.

You're welcome, Mi! Or may I call you Gent? ;-)

Beverly

Bev, you're pretty awesome. I have a question for you. Do you know of any companies specializing in Men's patterns? On the other feed, someone gave me some links, but there are 12 women's patterns to every one men's patterns. Any suggestions?

By the way - My friend call me Norrington, but you can call me Gent. Just kidding!

Mike

Bev, you're pretty awesome. I have a question for you. Do you know of any companies specializing in Men's patterns? On the other feed, someone gave me some links, but there are 12 women's patterns to every one men's patterns. Any suggestions?

By the way - My friend call me Norrington, but you can call me Gent. Just kidding!

Mike

Buttons

Click on Kate's Pages and explore!Thanks for your support, Kate. I just finished perusing your site andit was awesome! I was especially heartened by the "Jamesy sized"sewing machine and your his project. Go James! I do have a question, though. Your site comprehensively covers the measuring of a female figure, but not one of a male (shame shame). Where are the Political Correctness Police (a.k.a. CNN) when you need them? :-) No worries, CNN doesn't have jurisdiction in England. Anyway, how does a man get measured? And how can one accurately measure oneself? You did make reference to the fact that it was difficult, but there MUST be a way. If you have links that would answer my question, that would be freakin' awesome.

Mike

This group is more active, so you WILL get posts from more folk here. Those who posted to the other group probably won't respond again here.

Happy sewing!

The Southern Gentleman wrote: . Do you know

Generally speaking that ratio is about right in all major pattern companies! Actually, the ratio of patterns for blokes to patterns for us gels is better in the historic patterns, as more folk sew for their men and a lot more men per head of population sew in the historic groups than do standard tailoring. The only place I've come across where there are more blokes on the board sewing than gels is the outdoors gear boards I belong to! Some of them do awesome stuff in lightweight and ultra light hiking gear, but it ain't what you're looking for!

One way round this would be to learn basic pattern drafting for men, and add historic pattern cutting once you got your head round the basics. There are significant differences in the cuts of 18 C men's garments and early 19th C garments, when what we think of as traditional hard tailoring began... This later developed further, until you get to the heavy cuts of the late 19th C, and the modern sharp looks we see now. The different fabrics and garments require slightly different treatments.

The introduction of modern fabrics with Lycra, polyester and its relatives, and fusible tailoring has changed some things again, though the best suits are still largely hand crafted and real works of art. For a little taste of what goes into a modern suit, take a peek at this: fabulous site with lots of insider information:

Buttons

> Click on Kate's Pages and explore!> > Thanks for your support, Kate. I just finished perusing your site and> it was awesome! I was especially heartened by the "Jamesy sized"> sewing machine and your his project. Go James!>

You measure men and women in exactly the same places. Just substitute 'chest' for 'bust' and all the rest have the same names... Next time I update that page, I will include both male and female figures, just to clarify this. The only difference in measurements is allowing for 'dress' in a pair of men's tailored trousers: this means allowing a little more ease on the inside leg seam for the side the 'dangly bits' dangle! And this really only matters if making things like the riding breeches of The Royal Horse Artillery or the Household Cavalry, and the like.

There is no way to take accurate measurements of yourself. You cannot see whether or not the tape is at exactly the right point at each level, and I have yet to discover a method of taking measurements of oneself across or down the back, from waist to floor at front and sides, from shoulder point to elbow and then to wrist, or your own inside leg measurement, male or female! Get a friend to help!

Mike, a word to the wise, Her name is Beverly and if you don't use it she may never answer you again. Like many of us we only answer to our given names. Juno

Thanks Juno. These are things a man should know. And to Beverly - I meant no harm. I beg your pardon.

Thanks also to Kate, my new-found Sew-Sew Mom. (Are sewing puns taboo, too?)

Mike (my nickname, affectionately given to me by people who like and respect me)

See, that was a play on your name. Mike = "Mi" ...Gentleman = "Gent"

You learn quickly, you're back in my good graces. ;-)

If you like nicknames that's fine with me. I'll always refer to you by the way *you* sign *your* name, Mike. ;->

Beverly

Nah, puns are eagerly awaited and frequently bettered. There's just some of us who prefer our given names. You see we really are a good group with a terrific sense of humor. If you can't have fun why bother.I'm sure Beverly would answer you even if you did call her Bev, I just know she doesn't care for the name. Juno

There are specific sections in the "Big Three" (Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick) for men's patterns:

didn't have much beyond pajamas and scrubs. I like Vogue very much for attention to detail. You should probably invest in a good couture or tailoring book before tackling them.

Also, since you are interested in historical styles:

?cat=17?cat=20There are also a few men's patterns here: here: (Not Affiliated Yadda, Yadda), Beverly

Perfectly right! It would be a little like my referring to you as "Jun" or "Ju", or like referring to "Mike" as "Mi". See it just looks like an abortion lying there.... :-(

Beverly

On 2/29/08 4:52 PM, in article snipped-for-privacy@s37g2000prg.googlegroups.com, "The Southern Gentleman" wrote:

Mike, There have been men taliors for many more years than both of us have lived, I am 76 years young. There are also many men's patterns on the market, albeit, most of the ones in the "Big 3" catalogs(Simplicity, Butterick & McCall's) are not the ones you want, but look in the costume section of the catalogs or online at their websites. Also, you can check out Folkwear patterns-I think that is the correct name. There is nothing wrong with your taste or your desire to make your own. Both my sons can sew almost as well as I can because I taught them; one absolutely enjoys machine embroidery, he says it is very relaxing after putting in 8 hours at work. Many sewing books are on the market, Reader's Digest Complete Book of Sewing is one I like and use the most. I like the 1976 edition because of its tailoring lessons, it can usually be found for sale on Amzon.com and or E-Bay. That is one of many. If you're just beginning, you might try the Sewing for Dummies, I have it and after 60+ years sewing, I still find ideas in it. As far sewing machines, I strongly recommend you go to a dealer and take some scraps with you and try out different machines till you find one that "fits" you. And if a dealer will not allow you to try his/her machines, leave quickly and go to another one. A good dealer will probably have some "oldie but goodies" that won't cost an arm and a leg. I like my old 1961 Singer Slant-Needle; it has good stitch quality on thick & thin fabrics, a few decorative stitches, including zig-zag and blind-stitch hem as well as it does a beautiful buttonhole, which most men's clothing need. I'm sure others will answer you as well with more ideas. Know you are welcome to return for more help whenever. Emily

And Mike, a wonderful book worth buying is called "A Gentleman's Wardrobe" by Paul Keers, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (no ISBN and probably long out of print, but an absolute treasure which I lend to no-one).

The reason why I like it so much is that it although it is about classic clothes (for traditionally dressed man) it has a lot of history about men's clothes.

Not yet. I shall hunt it down, lasso a copy, and read it in my 'spare time'. FTL sewing still rules in this house!