French Style Man’s Shirt 18th Century

$21.95

Pattern by: La Fleur de Lyse

 

This late colonial sewing pattern is very well documented and comes complete with clear illustrations and instructions to make thread buttons with options for ruffles on the sleeves and bosom slit. Also included are instructions and illustrations to make a French workman’s cap and each of the three types of neck cloths no man should go without – stock, cravat and handkerchief. Fits all neck sizes 14 1/2″ to 17 1/2″.

479 in stock

SKU: 200 Category:

Description

A shirt requires about 3 yards of linen in the 18th century. Most soldiers were issued off white linen shirts, but most working class men had natural unbleached linen shirts. Sailors, soldier’s work shirts & civilian laborers also wore blue check linen shirts but this pattern says blue stripe linens are fine for French but not check linens. Gentleman & officers (when wearing a stock at the neck) wore finer & whiter linen shirts with ruffles which require a quarter yard of fine linen or muslin. Most soldier’s shirts also had a cheaper quality of finer linen ruffles at the bosom slit.

Notions required include a spool of 60/2 linen thread in white, off white or unbleached to match the shirt, 1, 2 or 3 thread buttons on the collar & sleeve buttons at the wrist.

For winter wear, shirts were frequently made of natural white wool flannel (check & stripe wool flannel was also used but is very difficult to find today) which may be substituted for the 3 yards of linen above. Don’t be fooled, this flannel is soft next to the skin & really helps when it’s cold out!