You could make such a shirt very easily. Use supplex/taslan nylon from owfinc, questoutfitters, seattlefabrics or rockywoods (.com for all) if you want fast-drying, mosquito-proof, durable, highly-breathable and stink-resistant. Nylon won’t keep you warm when wet and it melts when exposed to flame–those are the only two disadvantages. I would use a zipper instead of buttons at the collar. Kwik-sew pattern 3250 (men’s pullover shirts) would be a good starting point for a pattern (http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3250). Order patterns from denverfabrics.com. In particular, this pattern explains the use of a facing to make the neck opening. You’ll need to use a facing for either buttons or zipper unless you want a very unfinished look. You can delete the fusible interfacing, since two layers of supplex is plenty stiff enough for outdoor use. It will probably take 3 or 4 iterations to get the pattern down (use cheap $1/yard fabric from Walmart for this). Once you’ve done that, however, you can make new shirts whenever you want, exactly the way you want and for under $15 each. If you use 3 layer supplex, the shirt should last at least half of the PCT before tearing (the fabric gets worn down by the pack straps and ultraviolet sunlight) and possibly the whole way.
I bought a similar Janone under the Kenmore brand recently (Kenmore model 15343), and it is far better than the cheap singers and brothers at Walmart. Kenmore discontinued their mechanical sewing machines and it appears they dumped the stock onto overstock.com. If you don’t currently have a sewing machine, I’d grab this one. Mechanical sewing machine technology is well-understood and no longer evolving, but there are plenty of ways to shave corners and degrade what should be a good product into junk–Singer and Brother seem to be in competition to see who can do this best. For whatever reason, Janone decided to put out a quality product at the low end of their line, at least for this model. This model was highly recommended in Consumer Reports, I believe. Be sure to get some oil and a lint brush to keep the machine in good repair. I had to spray WD40 once on my 15343 because I couldn’t reach my oil bottle to where the squeak was coming from. Normally though, sewing machine oil is better.
As an 18th century Living Historian and Historical Trekker I personally think that the 18th century shirt design is hard to beat. But that is my personal choice.
Good post.
Regards, Le loup. http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com
You could make such a shirt very easily. Use supplex/taslan nylon from owfinc, questoutfitters, seattlefabrics or rockywoods (.com for all) if you want fast-drying, mosquito-proof, durable, highly-breathable and stink-resistant. Nylon won’t keep you warm when wet and it melts when exposed to flame–those are the only two disadvantages. I would use a zipper instead of buttons at the collar. Kwik-sew pattern 3250 (men’s pullover shirts) would be a good starting point for a pattern (http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/cat_detail.cfm?pid=3250). Order patterns from denverfabrics.com. In particular, this pattern explains the use of a facing to make the neck opening. You’ll need to use a facing for either buttons or zipper unless you want a very unfinished look. You can delete the fusible interfacing, since two layers of supplex is plenty stiff enough for outdoor use. It will probably take 3 or 4 iterations to get the pattern down (use cheap $1/yard fabric from Walmart for this). Once you’ve done that, however, you can make new shirts whenever you want, exactly the way you want and for under $15 each. If you use 3 layer supplex, the shirt should last at least half of the PCT before tearing (the fabric gets worn down by the pack straps and ultraviolet sunlight) and possibly the whole way.
A good sewing machine is:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Janome-11558-Heavy-duty-Sewing-Machine-Refurbished/3644244/product.html
I bought a similar Janone under the Kenmore brand recently (Kenmore model 15343), and it is far better than the cheap singers and brothers at Walmart. Kenmore discontinued their mechanical sewing machines and it appears they dumped the stock onto overstock.com. If you don’t currently have a sewing machine, I’d grab this one. Mechanical sewing machine technology is well-understood and no longer evolving, but there are plenty of ways to shave corners and degrade what should be a good product into junk–Singer and Brother seem to be in competition to see who can do this best. For whatever reason, Janone decided to put out a quality product at the low end of their line, at least for this model. This model was highly recommended in Consumer Reports, I believe. Be sure to get some oil and a lint brush to keep the machine in good repair. I had to spray WD40 once on my 15343 because I couldn’t reach my oil bottle to where the squeak was coming from. Normally though, sewing machine oil is better.
Okay…. I’m seriously thinking of getting that sewing machine and starting to make my own gear.. Thanks for the recommendation.
Buttons are important to have on my hiking shirt because that is how I keep my hat and umbrella from flying away.
http://asthecrowflies.org/2007/10/22/how-to-keep-your-hat-from-blowing-away/
http://asthecrowflies.org/2007/10/22/how-to-keep-your-umbrella-from-blowing-away-while-you-are-taking-a-siesta/
As an 18th century Living Historian and Historical Trekker I personally think that the 18th century shirt design is hard to beat. But that is my personal choice.
Good post.
Regards, Le loup.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com
Hey Le Loup,
Yeah, I’m checking out your blog right now, looking for period shirt designs.
Crow, there should be something way back, but if not let me know via email and I will send you some info. Are you in the US?