For the month of July of A Year in Indie Patterns I have decided to write a little review of some of the Western patterns I have been using over the years. There are a surprising amount of independent pattern companies out there that cater to the niche market of Western wear.
Considering the size and population of the U.S. South I suppose it mightn't be a niche market at all - but among the online indie pattern company aficionados those types of pattern companies never get a mention. They exist on another sewing sphere that rarely crosses paths with today's hip, young crowd of sewcialists.
So, I thought I'd write a bit about the two Western wear companies I have tested and why even us young, hip sewists might find these patterns fun and useful to work with.
REVIEW: Jean Hardy Patterns & Lola Gentry Originals
PATTERNS TESTED:
Jean Hardy Patterns: Men's Shirts Pattern No. 1015, Printed Pattern, $17.00
Lola Gentry Originals: Men's Western Shirt 1138, Printed Pattern, $6.00
WHAT KIND OF SEWING PATTERNS DO THESE COMPANIES SELL?
The two companies that I have tried out are called Jean Hardy Patterns and Lola Gentry Originals. Great names!
Jean Hardy Patterns focuses particularly on equestrian wear. There are lots of patterns for riding jackets, jodhpurs, and stylish shirts and blouses for both men and women. Some patterns look equestrian and may not be suitable for everyday wear but some of them, especially the jackets, would look great in any wardrobe.
The Misses' Tops pattern reminds me of the Nettie pattern, as the blouses can be made into body suits so they don't untuck when you are riding.
Lola Gentry Originals also has quite a few equestrian patterns, but also some funky costume and square dance clothing. Neither of these are very useful for everyday wear but among the crazy there are some gems that would fit into any everyday wardrobe. There is a jeans pattern and some great shirt and jacket patterns, for men, women and children.
Lola Gentry Originals also has quite a few equestrian patterns, but also some funky costume and square dance clothing. Neither of these are very useful for everyday wear but among the crazy there are some gems that would fit into any everyday wardrobe. There is a jeans pattern and some great shirt and jacket patterns, for men, women and children.
BOTH COMPANIES ARE GREAT FOR MEN'S PATTERNS - I have always found it rather difficult to find more interesting and unusual patterns for menswear. This is how I first stumbled upon both of these companies. I wanted to make a casual but not too classic shirt for Mr. Starcross and just couldn't find what I wanted from the Big 4 or anywhere else. Both these companies have great shirt and jacket patterns for men that can easily be adapted to non-equestrian looking men's wear.
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Top left to bottom right: JH: No. 910 Men's Hunt Coat -- JH: No. 1015 Men's Shirts --
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HOW ARE THE PATTERNS SOLD?
Both companies only do printed patterns and have rather outdated and difficult-to-navigate websites. Both are based in the US and shipping can be a bit pricey if you live outside the US.
However, Jean Hardy Patterns has stockists in Canada, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. If you live in Europe, it is probably best to order Jean Hardy Patterns from the Dutch Naaipatronen website. A full lists of Jean Hardy stockists can be found on their website.
However, Jean Hardy Patterns has stockists in Canada, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. If you live in Europe, it is probably best to order Jean Hardy Patterns from the Dutch Naaipatronen website. A full lists of Jean Hardy stockists can be found on their website.
ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH JEAN HARDY PATTERNS
I bought these two patterns from Jean Hardy Patterns a long, long time ago and while I have yet to try the women's shirt pattern (No.990), the men's shirt pattern (No.1015) has become my most used pattern ever!
I have made this shirt several times for both Mr. Starcross and my mother's husband. They both still wear all of their shirts.
EXCELLENT INSTRUCTIONS - I made the first shirt years ago when my sewing skills were not as good as they are now but found the instructions very helpful. The illustrations are clear and the instructions are written as jargon-free as possible with nice time-saving techniques. I used many of the sewing suggestions in the instructions to this shirt for years.
ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH LOLA GENTRY ORIGINALS
The Lola Gentry Originals Men's Western Shirt Pattern No.1138 has been sitting in my stash for years.
I wanted an over-the-top original Western shirt I could use to dress up Mr.Starcross and play with piping and all sorts of details. This is how the Fox Shirt came to be.
GREAT PATTERN SHEET AND SIZING - What was particularly interesting with this pattern was the way the sizes were printed on the pattern. Instead of choosing a size, the pattern lets you grade between neck and chest measurements for each piece. In fact, there is not even a size chart included with this pattern. Also, each seam has a different seam allowance and both cutting and sewing lines are printed on the paper.
I wanted an over-the-top original Western shirt I could use to dress up Mr.Starcross and play with piping and all sorts of details. This is how the Fox Shirt came to be.
GREAT PATTERN SHEET AND SIZING - What was particularly interesting with this pattern was the way the sizes were printed on the pattern. Instead of choosing a size, the pattern lets you grade between neck and chest measurements for each piece. In fact, there is not even a size chart included with this pattern. Also, each seam has a different seam allowance and both cutting and sewing lines are printed on the paper.
In terms of information given on the pattern sheet and the genius idea of letting you easily grade between neck and chest size, this might be one of the better patterns I have ever used.
I really recommend either of the two men's shirt patterns I have used. If you are stuck for unusual men's wear, Western wear pattern companies might give you some ideas. Besides the two I have tried, there are two other companies I have found that do Western wear patterns: Suitability and Folkwear. I have no experience with either of these companies but they might be fun to try.
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