Peachtree Merchantile 501, Overcoat c.1864, size S to XXXL
This is not a difficult garment to sew....it has none of the man tailoring that one would expect in a coat. This was sewn by Archie's mom and goes together more like a woman's coat.
This sewing pattern was drafted from an original jean cloth overcoat in the collection of the Atlanta History Center.
This civilian-style overcoat from the Archibald Smith family in Roswell, Georgia, was made by Anne Margaret Magill Smith (1807-1887) for her son, Archibald “Archie” Smith (1844-1923), who wore it while serving with the Georgia Battalion of Cadets during the winter of 1864-1865. Its original cape did not survive.
The cape pattern included is drafted from a period cape in the collection of the Atlanta History Center.
FIT
This overcoat is meant to be worn over a period suit or uniform, with or without the cape. It reaches mid-calf length and the sleeves extend to fingertip length.
FABRIC SUGGESTIONS
The original overcoat was made of a jean cloth with cotton warp and wool weft. The lining is a heavy cotton.
The cape is homespun wool with a red twill wool lining.
This is a big and heavy pattern. 6 sheets of pattern paper and 50 pages of history and instructions. It weighs almost a pound and a half, so shipping costs are much higher.
