Wool Coat Question

[atlantashannon]

I'm in the process of making my 6 year old brother a new coat (he's outgrown two coats in the three years we've been reenacting, the little stinker!  ) out of some oatmeal colored wool I got at Joann's recently. I'm using a man's shell jacket pattern and sizing the basic shapes down to fit my brother.  It's going to be slightly different - replacing the military stand up collar with a fold-down collar - and maybe a breast pocket.  It'll probably have about 4 buttons.

So, my current question is - should a little boys coat have a three/four piece back (like the shell jacket pattern) or a one piece back?

Are there any other differences I should know about between mens coats and boys coats?

thanks!! -A.

[LissaWilson]

Well, I definately can't speak for all styles of boys coats, but I am making a Godey's one from 1857 and it has a one piece back. Hope that helps!

[Elizabeth]

If you're stopping the coat at the waist, a multi-piece back is reasonable.  A one-piece back will also work.  Essentially, you'll end up with a "round about" coat look--pretty common for mid century.

[mr.darcy1]

This boys coat from a Whitaker auction has a one piece back.  Hope this helps.



Chandra

[Jim_Ruley]

From a tailor's point of view, a one-piece back makes a lot of sense for a waist-length jacket.  There is no shaping that can't be accomplished just as well by taking in the sides, and it saves the time and effort of a seam.

Of course, if your fabric is narrow, it may lay out better if you cut two separate back halves.  I suspect this is the reason for the back seam in CS roundabout jackets.  It is noteworthy that Tait jackets (imported from Ireland) had one-piece backs.

Hope this helps,

Jim Ruley