Nick D
Call Me a Cab
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- 2,166
- Location
- Upper Michigan
Some time ago I posted pictures of a pair of spats I made. At the time I had taken progress photos, but never posted them. So here they are, to show some of the process.
I made the pattern by copying a pair of vintage spats I have. The exterior was made from gray cotton twill, and the lining from a fairly stiff cotton calico. There are 12 main pieces total, the large inside piece and the front and back outside pieces, and the accompanying lining pieces.
The shell and the lining pieces are sewn together and the seams pressed open.
The shell and lining are put together, right sides together, and stitched. An opening is left on on the short vertical edge of the small rear outer piece to turn the spats. Small openings are also left on the lower edge for the strap and buckle. The spats are turned.
Make the straps, turn, and topstitch.
The spats are pressed, with the seam joining shell and lining favoring the inside so it can't be seen. The front and rear seam are topstitched to either side of the seam to keep the lining from shifting. The straps are inserted into the small openings left in the lower seam, the buckle is inserted with a small piece of grosgrain or petersham, and the outer edges are topstitched, sewing in the strap and buckle and closing the opening that had been left for turning.
Corded keyhole buttonholes are best, and a long thread shank for the buttons. Sew the buttons with a matchstick over them to create an even shank.
Work an eyelet into the strap, any number is fine but I just put in one at the proper length to fit me.
Done!
I hope that will be of help to someone, I don't have any other progress photos but if anyone wants to see the pattern laid out or more description, let me know.
I made the pattern by copying a pair of vintage spats I have. The exterior was made from gray cotton twill, and the lining from a fairly stiff cotton calico. There are 12 main pieces total, the large inside piece and the front and back outside pieces, and the accompanying lining pieces.
The shell and the lining pieces are sewn together and the seams pressed open.
The shell and lining are put together, right sides together, and stitched. An opening is left on on the short vertical edge of the small rear outer piece to turn the spats. Small openings are also left on the lower edge for the strap and buckle. The spats are turned.
Make the straps, turn, and topstitch.
The spats are pressed, with the seam joining shell and lining favoring the inside so it can't be seen. The front and rear seam are topstitched to either side of the seam to keep the lining from shifting. The straps are inserted into the small openings left in the lower seam, the buckle is inserted with a small piece of grosgrain or petersham, and the outer edges are topstitched, sewing in the strap and buckle and closing the opening that had been left for turning.
Corded keyhole buttonholes are best, and a long thread shank for the buttons. Sew the buttons with a matchstick over them to create an even shank.
Work an eyelet into the strap, any number is fine but I just put in one at the proper length to fit me.
Done!
I hope that will be of help to someone, I don't have any other progress photos but if anyone wants to see the pattern laid out or more description, let me know.
I would like to see these on shoes, or preferably even used in a whole outfit, too.
