With cooler weather from the north beckoning the need for warmth, I put aside my fears of sewing a frock coat for my son.
When we shopped for a 100% linen, my son chose a green color to complement his blue waistcoat.
MY FIRST DRAFTED PATTERN
Because my son is in-between sizes for one of my historical patterns, I drafted a pattern from Costume Close-up, written by Colonial Williamsburg’s Linda Baumgartner.
Despite being my first time to draft a pattern, this wasn’t too difficult.
Although the greatest challenge was the lack of step by step sewing directions, it was surprisingly easy to figure out.
One nice thing is that this drafted pattern was rather easy for me to fit to my son’s body, since 18th century clothing is fitted closely to the body.
TWENTY-TWO FABRIC COVERED BUTTONS
This new coat is completely hand sewn, with twenty-two fabric covered buttons, ten of which have ten buttonholes, all handsewn.
Learning how to cover buttons last winter from the Costume Design Center, I was glad that skill set debuted with this piece of historical attire.
STYLES OF FROCK COATS
While out and about in the historic area during Prelude to Victory weekend, I was surprised to realize the style of frock coats were quite different from my son’s.
The more I saw these differently styled coats in the historic area, the more I stressed that I erred with my son’s frock coat.
TAILOR REASSURANCE
However the Colonial Williamsburg tailor assured me I was on the right track, and gave me some helpful tips to fiddle with the pleating in the back.
After returning home, I set my needle to fabric.
The most challenging part was the pleating of the back of the frock coat, and especially the seam line between the buttons above the draping, which somehow became fiddly.
My son is loving his new coat, helping him to be more historically accurate, which will please the employees who have encouraged him to wear a frock coat.
