I’ve been pretty “whatever” about the 40s, but I’ve really wanted a uniform ever since I aged out of cadets and had to give that one up. The thought of making a 1940s women’s airforce uniform is really exciting. Thank you for sparking this!

This was lovely, and brought back a lot of memories. I served in the USA WAC back in the 70s, your uniforms don't look that much different from ours. I'm looking forward to seeing you complete this project.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

That's so awesome, I'm glad you like it

I can't wait to see the completion of this project and the pattern! I have taken measurements from a US WAC uniform when I was toying with the idea of a recreation myself. I didn't however have any proper pattern-taking skills at the time so I was really just measuring distances from things in their positions to others, e.g. pocket flap to darts. Therefore having someone do these measurements and grading properly is really going to give me a wealth of information. :)

Some of the repair stitches reminds me of older clothing that my mom had repaired when she was a young teacher during WWII. I may have one or two pieces left. And I was a member of the Old Salem Costume Committie when I worked fro them as a Salem Interpreter many years ago. It was a lot of fun and I loved it.

My dad's family lives in New Westminster! Thank you for this engaging video.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

Oh cool! I wave at them next time I'm there!

Thanks for this! It was very interesting! I love military uniforms and tailoring. I have my grandfather’s WWII RCAF dress uniform and hat and feel grateful to have it.

What a lovely piece to get to explore! This was fantastic journey, thank you for taking us with you.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

*ok Mel, I know you're a big fan, act cool* Thank you so much, I'm so glad you like it!

With all of that rationing fabric, I guess they decided to save fabric for the all important shoulder pads by giving up pockets. But they wouldn't give up the fabric for the fake flaps.

I'm so glad you got such a good, detailed look at the uniform! It really helps me to see how they are constructed. I also just finished a book on the WW2 women in the US that worked with codes and code breaking (WACs, WAVEs and civilians) which talked a lot about the uniforms, including that the WACs had khaki underwear and the WAVEs got to wear their own underwear. Good bit of history there. That and it explained the war over the women's pockets (or lack thereof). I also finished a book about WRENs and how they contributed to the tactics in the Battle of the Atlantic. More cool info on their uniform history in there, including about their trousers! (Code Girls is the one book, and I can't remember the name of the other, sorry!)

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

No worries, thanks for the resources

Omg this was such a neat and educational experience!!! I can’t wait to see your recreation! 😊

the leather in the hat could be just heat pressed leather (like mass produced belts are) but leather gets really brittle as it ages if its not moisturized.

This was amazing! I love the tailoring of women’s suits from the 40s. Just astonishingly sharp.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

I know, I wish modern garments were tailored so beautifully

Pauses video. Runs to sewing area, grabs bag of pins from yard sale. Compares to hatpin found. Questions reality. Also subscribing because this seems like an interesting project, and I would like to see it to its end.

There are some really cool details in this uniform that would be great incorporated into other clothing.

Something I'm curious about-- this was made for (and much used for) doing hard work in, so presumably would have gotten dirty. Do we know how many changes of daily-wear uniform someone would have, and how they're keep them clean?

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

This was the dress uniform, worn for ceremonial occasions, as well as office Jobs, or those where you didn't get dirty. There were coveralls for mechanics and trades, battledress with trousers for field work, and other more specific uniforms, like for nursing. But everyone would have at least one of these, more likely 2, but I'm trying to get hold of the Dress Manual from the period to get more details.

Thank you kindly! This was very informative.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Wow!!!! This is incredible! I can’t wait to see it come together!

@brigidscaldron

2 жыл бұрын

Fake pockets!

@brigidscaldron

2 жыл бұрын

That’s so rude.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

Right?! Such a tease.

@SnappyDragon

2 жыл бұрын

@@brigidscaldron "We're sending you off to war. But no, you still don't need real pockets. What do you even have that's important enough to carry?" I could understand if it was a real pocket sewn shut to help with the tailoring, but a *fake* pocket is just insulting.

I'm curious about the darts in the skirt. Is it possibility that the zip goes at the side instead of the back and both darts are on the back?

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

That's a really interesting question... I'm going to look into that

@CostumersManifesto

2 жыл бұрын

I second that idea. Most skirts from that era have the zipper on left hip, and two butt darts at rear.

I looooooove uniforms, I don’t know what it is. Belonging without trying, maybe? Put on the uniform and you’re part of the group!

the lining looks like a twill I think of some sort....maybe a polished cotton?

@rachelboersma-plug9482

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking perhaps rayon? It was well-established as a silk substitute by the 1940s, and is quite breathable. Modern cupro lining fabric is essentially a rayon.

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

Would they have had rayon twill?

How will you sew it do you think? With the imperfections or with 21st century needlesmith standards?

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

I'll try to get it right, but at least now I won't feel so bad about the mistake I will inevitably make!

wow that uniform is gorgeous

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

I love it so much!

This project is so very nice. The history you have turned up about the different elements is not surprising but disappointing. I wouldn’t have been in the air reserves but my sister would have still been a westy!!!

@robintheparttimesewer6798

2 жыл бұрын

Oh I forgot to say I subscribed and shared the video with my sister

@SewBiased

2 жыл бұрын

thank you so much!

I don't think this is mentioned in the video but the helmeted woman on the buttons I would presume to be Britannia.

@SewBiased

Жыл бұрын

I never thought of that, but you're probably right!

@lizb7271

Жыл бұрын

@@SewBiased It may or may not say something interesting about Canadian identity at the time and its relationship to British identity.