Looking for a coat pattern

[LongWalker]

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One of my great-greats was a farmer, small rancher, and occasional market gunner/blacksmith/gunsmith.  In one of the pictures of him my grandmother had, he was wearing a wool-lined canvas coat.  Typical box-cut, about 3/4 length (mid-thigh).  The coat still hung in the barn when I was a kid, so I know it was split up the back far enough to comfortably ride horseback.  And w-a-r-m! 

When I was a bit older, I wore a slightly later version of the same coat when bringing in stock on cold winter days, forking hay out for the stock, etc.  The canvas cut the wind, the wool kept me warm.  Well, it's about 14 degrees F here, with gusts up to maybe 30 mph: calmer than last night, but still cold as a . . . well, it is just plain cold, and winter isn't here yet. 

I'm thinking if I can find a pattern, I'll get myself a new coat made up this winter.  Anyone know of a source?

[Tascosa Joe]

Try James Country Mercantile at Liberty, MO.  Jean has lots of patterns.

[1961MJS]

Hi

One of my daily wear winter coats is a brown wool canvas lined knee length double breasted coat from James Country Mercantile.  I've had it a few years, nice coats.

Later

[Tsalagidave]

If you are okay with spending some money, I know a very reputable maker in Arizona who will create a museum quality piece and he has the research to back up just about any pattern from the frontier era to the mid 20th century. 

This guy has done most of my gear and is top tier on museum quality authenticity.  It will be quality made from historically correct materials and patterns.  His name is Don Smith and I trust him so much I'd stake my reputation on his honesty.

If you are interested, please let me know.  It won't be cheap but it will be an heirloom piece that you will likely pass on to your kin.

-Dave

[LongWalker]

Thanks for the replies guys!  I'm looking for winter project, in hope that it will provide enough incentive to get me off my tuchhus and finish the book I've been working on for a couple-three years.    

Dave, after several attempts and wasting enough money to buy a good rifle, I don't buy custom clothes from anyone who is too far away to visit for measurement and fittings.  One of my brothers once described me as looking like someone grafted a monkey's arms onto the body of a Neanderthal.  Perforce, in more than 30 years of doing living history I've become a passable tailor. 

[Tsalagidave]

Fair enough friend, I look forward to seeing pics of what you've come up with.

-Dave

[LongWalker]

Found a pattern--sorta.  Found an original that I can get access to in order to draft a pattern.  Wrong size, so then I'll have to use it to draft a new pattern, then make a muslin to check fit etc.  THEN I'll have a pattern I can use to make the actual coat.  But after knocking out a pair of beaded mocs recently, I find the idea of that much hand sewing to be a definite stumbling block. . . and I sold my sewing machine for tuition money 15 years ago. 

So while I'm waiting to go draft the pattern, I need to scrounge up a sewing machine.  And since the ones I like and have the most experience making garments on have been out of production for 50-60 years, I better plan on re-building a sewing machine (before making a pattern to make a pattern to make a coat). 

You know, there's a lot to be said for Thinsulate and Carhart. . .