1 review for Patterns of History 1878 Men’s Sack Suit
Rated 4 out of 5
Rosalyn Johnson –
I recently completed the jacket to this suit. This pattern and its accompanying instructions are wonderful. Instructions are given for both the true reproduction method and a modern method, which is really a compromise between the older methods and those used today. Thus far, I have completed the jacket. I am pleased with the results. This was my first tailoring project. I recommend this only for an advanced seamstress with some knowledge of tailoring or access to a class. I did this in conjunction with a tailoring class at my local junior college. The lapels on this coat are longer and deeper than most suits pictured from the Victorian era. Shorten the roll line unless your gentleman is VERY large (as was the original owner of this suit). The coat has a baggy fit, very unlike the suits today. In spite of this, I had to redraw the front and enlarge the armhole for my husband’s coat, because of his more muscular build. Absolutely, do a muslin; perhaps more than one. You will probably find that you need to make a larger pattern size than your gentleman’s “off the rack” size. Also, it’s well worth it to use a nice woolen fabric, which will shape properly as you make up the jacket. Don’t bother using a polyester suiting; it obviously isn’t period and polyester simply will not work the same as wool. I underlined my fashion fabric in a lighter weight flannel, with silk organza and I would definitely do that again. The pattern doesn’t call for it, but it was helpful to catch the various hand-stitching used in construction and kept it from showing on the outside of the jacket.
Rosalyn Johnson –
I recently completed the jacket to this suit. This pattern and its accompanying instructions are wonderful. Instructions are given for both the true reproduction method and a modern method, which is really a compromise between the older methods and those used today. Thus far, I have completed the jacket. I am pleased with the results. This was my first tailoring project. I recommend this only for an advanced seamstress with some knowledge of tailoring or access to a class. I did this in conjunction with a tailoring class at my local junior college. The lapels on this coat are longer and deeper than most suits pictured from the Victorian era. Shorten the roll line unless your gentleman is VERY large (as was the original owner of this suit). The coat has a baggy fit, very unlike the suits today. In spite of this, I had to redraw the front and enlarge the armhole for my husband’s coat, because of his more muscular build. Absolutely, do a muslin; perhaps more than one. You will probably find that you need to make a larger pattern size than your gentleman’s “off the rack” size. Also, it’s well worth it to use a nice woolen fabric, which will shape properly as you make up the jacket. Don’t bother using a polyester suiting; it obviously isn’t period and polyester simply will not work the same as wool. I underlined my fashion fabric in a lighter weight flannel, with silk organza and I would definitely do that again. The pattern doesn’t call for it, but it was helpful to catch the various hand-stitching used in construction and kept it from showing on the outside of the jacket.