Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

The Thread to Display Your 1930s Suits

Qirrel

Practically Family
Messages
590
Location
The suburbs of Oslo, Norway
Why's that?

A trouser consists mainly of four pieces of cloth.. When the fabric is laid out for cutting, instead of placing the pattern on it and marking out the four pieces separately, the cloth is folded in half with the right sides together.
The cutter then marks the pattern, the back and front leg; cuts through both layers and is left with two and two identical front and back pieces, except for one thing: if both are to be laid with the right side up, one of the two pieces must be turned, making it the "mirror image" of the other.
Striped and checked cloths are, or should be, entirely symmetrical, which means that when you fold the cloth along a stripe, the top and bottom layer matches all the way from the fold to the edge. When the pieces are cut from a double layer like this, the location of the stripes on the left will match the right leg and thus meet along the seat seam.

This picture might make more sense: http://www.costumes.org/history/victorian/CPG/3/gallery/images/03_019.jpg (not going to make it visible in fear of diluting the 30's suits thread with ancient trousers.)
(Dia. 1 is how the pieces are marked on the cloth, dia. 2,3,4,5 are the pieces cut, separated and laid out with the same sides up. Imagine the fold line between diagrams 3 and 4.)
 
Last edited:

Mario

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,664
Location
Little Istanbul, Berlin, Germany
I think that many vintage suits will need to have some alterations done to them before they can be worn - and many (cheap) alteration tailors out there may lack the necessary skills, patience and attention to detail to get these things right.
 

resortes805

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,019
Location
SoCal
Suits of Interest from the "Show Us Your Suits Thread" page 61-110
1930sGermanPinstripeSuitJacketFront.jpg

1930sGermanPinstripeSuitJktStripes.jpg

1930sGermanPinstripeSuitPantsSide.jpg
 

Enigma1947

Familiar Face
Messages
82
Location
CA
Dark Brown with Blue Pinstripes!

This is probably bordering on late 1930's/early 40's. It is a very dark brown wool with very subtle light brown flecks and blue pinstripes. The blue is very hard to read under low lighting conditions but when you get this beauty into the light… wow, does that blue pop! It reminds me somewhat of the one pictured in the 1938/1939 Ward’s Catalog. It was sold at The Hub department store that opened in 1904 in Steubenville, Ohio. It used to fit me perfectly but I have gained a few pounds and am currently working it off! Except for the really nice fabric, it has no unusual or outstanding features. I purchased this one about eight years ago at a San Pedro store called Cheap, when it was operated by a wonderful man named Mike. Mike would buy out local estates and bring the items to his store the same day. I usually had the first pick and things really were cheap! Unfortunately, Mike began having health problems and the place is now operated by someone else. Let’s just say… the place is not what it used to be. I rarely visit the store anymore and haven’t found anything since Mike went away. I sincerely hope he is doing well. He was one cool guy!
IMG_2531.jpg
[/IMG]
IMG_2532.jpg
IMG_2534.jpg
IMG_2536.jpg
IMG_2539.jpg
IMG_2542.jpg
IMG_2543.jpg
scan0004.jpg
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
now that is a very brooding, handsome fabric... just the sort i like.
beautiful lapel shape too. tailoring geeks, notice how they've curved the stripes of the facings (lapels/revers) to the 'belly' (curve) of the lapel shape. many tailors insist this is the only way it should be done. many don't do it. there's no right or wrong.
 
Last edited:

Nick D

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,166
Location
Upper Michigan
Outstanding suit. I like the colour combination, too.

A detail question, is the top buttonhole on the trousers worked all the way through, or only through a facing to hide the top button? Also, could you provide a closeup of the lapel buttonhole?
 

Enigma1947

Familiar Face
Messages
82
Location
CA
Here you go!

Outstanding suit. I like the colour combination, too.

A detail question, is the top buttonhole on the trousers worked all the way through, or only through a facing to hide the top button? Also, could you provide a closeup of the lapel buttonhole?

IMG_2584.jpg
IMG_2595.jpg
 

Nick D

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,166
Location
Upper Michigan
Yes, I saw the gimp, but the spacing made me think that perhaps it was intentional, giving two straight lines of stitches without the end. Also, they appear to be the same on each lapel.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,025
Messages
3,072,952
Members
54,037
Latest member
GloriaJama
Top