Sterling's Cravats

[Ivan Henry aka Moose]

A question for Sterling.... Instead of a PM, I thought this might be worthy of public discussion/viewing.

Sterling, your Cravats are really nice! I've searched and searched and only found one supplier with one style and one color. Might I assume you made yours?

My questions:

1. Do you use a supplier(s) for these or make them yourself?

2. If there is a supplier, could you please share?

3. If you make them yourself, is there a pattern for them?

4. I have seen there are over 300 ways of knotting these things up. In most period drawings I see them mainly in one or two knot styles. How the heck do you correctly tie one of these things?

Thanks!

[callenish gunner]

There are several retailers who do sell cravats in several fabrics and finishes and at least two colours. One I have dealt with for years is Quartermaster General.

Quartermaster General -Sherry Sealander

Tell her I sent you

[Capt. Sterling]

Make my own based on an original in the Victoria and Albert Museum... actually you don't really need a pattern as all it is a long rectangle of fabric with or without lace on the ends...

as to the green silk piece I wear, tis nothing but an ordinary neck cloth, rolled and tied in place..

Edited June 29, 2009 by Capt. Sterling

[Mr.Tignor]

Personally im making one thats not but a rectangle about 8x70 inches and roll hem the edges(yyesss Mr.Mooseworth sew it lol). Im a fan of lace at the ends(it so sporting on the good Captain!), though i probably wont wear one with lace anytime soon. Use a light weight linen, or silk. While we are on the subject of cravats, did the colors actually mean anything? and how common was it to find one in colors other than white, or black?

[Ivan Henry aka Moose]

Personally im making one thats not but a rectangle about 8x70 inches and roll hem the edges(yyesss Mr.Mooseworth sew it lol). Im a fan of lace at the ends(it so sporting on the good Captain!), though i probably wont wear one with lace anytime soon. Use a light weight linen, or silk. While we are on the subject of cravats, did the colors actually mean anything? and how common was it to find one in colors other than white, or black?

White was more "formal" than black cravats - so I've read.

[michaelsbagley]

I can't find the quotation at the moment.... But I recall in my researches on soldiers clothing a quote for an order of uniforms that included "colour'd neck cloths" or something like that... I'm still trying to find something more concrete about that, but i am starting to think that my off white cravat for my Red Coat portrayal may be incorrect and that perhaps using a cravat of one of the colours of the uniform may be the way to go.

If all of my guesswork surrounding the quote on soldier's neck cloths is correct, it may be that cravats of various colours were worn (or at least in military contexts).

[Capt. Sterling]

The Victoria and Albert Cravat...

[sutlerjon]

Methinks Cap'n Sterling may have tied at least one of them too tight ...... look what happened to his eye!

Took all the "mystery" out of the neck cloth too, ........................... didn't ye!

[Capt. Sterling]

Ahem!

[sutlerjon]

>chuckling, amusedly<

[LadyBarbossa]

Alas, Sterling... the image of the cravat is not showing.

Someday... a cravat. Just... haven't gotten the nerve up to wear one. Worn those bleedin' black leather neckstocks at Rev War reenactment... not the nice cloth cravats though.

~Lady B