Reconstructing Histories 1700s Frock Coat Review

[Gentleman of Fortune]

First off....

WoW!

Reconstructing History (RH) has really done their homework on the Justaucorps and it shows.

The retail price on this pattern is $25, so some of you that are used to paying 99 Cents for a simplicity pattern might balk at the cost, but for what you get, its a real bargain!

The pattern comes with:

1) Booklet on the History of the Justaucorps

This is an outstanding piece and makes the info on my website pale in comparison. The kicker here is that RH includes line drawings and museum refrence numbers for 5 extant garments. From "Lord Clapham" dolls to the Sligo, Ireland Bog Find are detailed in this packet. RH covers the sizes, number of buttons, and construction details on the original examples. The booklet concludes with a bibliography.

2) Frock Coat instructions

This includes the layout of your pattern, materials needed, and instructions for various ways of making your coat. There are tips for completely handsewing, completely machine sewing, or mixtures of both. The instructions are litered with refrences to period details and "period options" for making your coat.

The booklet concludes with two pages that diagram period stitches (fell stitch, blanket stitch, etc)

3) 2 Full size pattern sheets

4) Materials list and sizing chart.

For Authentic and Fantasy re-enactors alike, this is what we have been waiting for. Even if I never start on a coat, it was well worth the money for the refrences and to help get a better understanding of how these garments are made.

If you want a coat that will look like you stepped out of a time machine or period painting, this is the one to get.

PS

I have no connection with the manufactures of this pattern and I paid full retail price to get it.

PPS

Cant wait to get started, and I will add more as I work on my coat!

GoF

[callenish gunner]

i'm looking forward to making some new kit ...i think i will order a few patterns soon

just want to check the sizing specs with kass

[Barber-surgeon]

Hah! Pish at paying $25 fer a pattern! I Never leave a millenry shop for under a $100! The lass will most certainly be getting some orders from me fer my needs!

[Gentleman of Fortune]

I went to "The Original Reenactor Market in the UK last weekend.

LOTS of cool stuff. My wife only gave me 50 quid to spend though (probably smart on her part) so I only came back with

1 Kirsty Buckland Monmouth Hat ($38)

4.5 Meters of 100% silk grosgrain ($35)

15 Brass buttons ($5)

I was thinking about making my Pattern #702 out of Grosgrain, but I think I am going to get the early Justaucorps pattern and use the Grosgrain for that....

hmmmm...

GoF

[The Doctor]

Janelle and I can hardly wait for the patterns to arrive! She's taken to looking in my closet at my current justaucorps, and letting out a deep, disapproving sigh.

[kass]

You know, I like that Janelle... She has such excellent aspirations!

(The patterns will be in your hands any moment now, Jack.)

[The Doctor]

She's already got the linen picked out, and I just got her a new cabinet for her third machine. Her studio is ramped up and ready! :)

Thanks for the update, Kass. I think she's even more excited than I that they're coming!

[Rumba Rue]

Speaking of patterns Kass, when is the one I ordered going to be shipped out to me?

[The Doctor]

I certain my neighbors think they just witnessed a scene from Steve Martin's "The Jerk". I went to the mailbox, opened it, and found a thick package from "Reconstructing History"! I went running back to the house, shouting "The new patterns are here! The new patterns are here!"

OK, I'm a dork. But I'll be a damned stylish dork!

[Rumba Rue]

I want mine!

[The Doctor]

EDIT: Jeez! I can't even stick my tounge out without getting "user posted image"? OK, this'll have to do -

[Red Maria]

I'm just waiting for the sailor's jacket to appear. <sigh>

[kass]

I want mine!

Patience, patience, Rue. The women's patterns are printing now.

[Rumba Rue]

I GOT IT! I GOT IT! WHOO-HOO!

As soon as the Escondido faire is over, I'm going to be a sewing my heart out!

[kass]

And you better post some pictures, Rue!

Kass

[Gentleman of Fortune]

Someone was asking about a correct pattern, so I thought that I would add a little more to this post for those that are looking for a great GAoP pattern.

I just bought some incredible fabric (about 5 meters of Blue silk Grosgrain) at TORM for about $35. The last time I could find silk grosgrain, it was about $50 per yard, so I could not help myself.

Anyway, I was going to make it into a 1700s justaucorp... but I decided to order the earlier justaucorp pattern an make one of those.

When I get that pattern, I will do another review.

GoF

[Cap'n Pete Straw]

My primary reason for adding this post is so I can easily find this thread again by simply reviewing my own list of posted messages.

After reading the comments herein, I plan on picking up this pattern for my own coat #3 (or #4, or whatever). When I do, I will add my own review. This looks like an AWESOME pattern, perhaps better than the authentic military one I have and was thinking of converting.

[The Doctor]

We got the various grades of linen on Sunday. Now to find the right buttons!

[Rumba Rue]

Well I got all the materials cut out for the Hunting Coat- arrrghhh, my aching back- I had to spread everything out on the floor...

I have sooo much material left, I'm going to make a matching skirt and re-do the original bodice I made quite some time ago- cuz I've lost weight. By the time I'm done I'll have quite an outfit!

[callenish gunner]

i'm interested in this pattern but when i sent aPM to kass she never answered me as to the size ranges of the patterns ....can anyone owning the pattern inform me as to the size ranges included in the pattern packets ....i.e. would i have to order by size or are there a range of sizes including some XXL measurements

Thanks

[Gentleman of Fortune]

I think Kass maybe traveling this month ( I understand she is delivering batches of patterns to vendors)

The size chart goes up toa size 54 or "the maximums" are:

Chest 54"

Waist 50"

Hip 55"

Hope that helps....

GoF

[The Doctor]

Ha! Found the buttons from a vendor in St. Louis, Misery. Should be here in a week's time!

[callenish gunner]

i think kass has sold another pattern then!!!

[Gentleman of Fortune]

I have both the early (#701) and the later (#702) patterns now. I am working on a #701 pattern review, but just for starters, the earlier justaucorps uses less fabric (3-4 yards) opposed to the 5ish yards of the 1700 style.

This is due to the fact that the later one has the skirts.

Also, you need about as much lining material too.

Since I am a fabric whore, I buy it when I find it and its a little more difficult to get a 5 + piece of fabric than it is to get a 3-4 yard piece.

So I have piles of fabric now, one for early justaucorps, and one for later ones according to the size of fabric

GoF

[Tora of Tortuga]

Ahoy Maties,

I would love to see some pictures of the completed coats from these patterns by Kass/Reconstructing Histories.

Why, shiver me timbers...I am looking to make a coat for m'self and was thinking of using thee Simplicity "Sparrow" pattern but would rather have a true working/period coat. I have seen pictures of the Simplicity coat and wanted to see the differences. I rather have it be period and correct then have an easy coat that is just plain wrong.

Thanks in advance.

~Tora of Tortuga~