WW1 US Tunic restoration

[Paul_Mullins]

Guys I picked up a really nice Doughboy tunic (size 44R) recently and I wanted to repair a huge hole in one of the sleeves. It looks like someone needed a piece of material and simply cut it out of this tunic. Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of wool to use to repair this? I would like to find a ratty tunic I could use for patches but this just doesnt seem economical. It also has a few missing buttons, any suggestions where to look?

Regards,

Paul

[Allan H.]

Uniform Resteration

Paul,
I didn't even know the USA made men that big (44R) in WWI! Seriously though, if you are wanting a true resteration, then I would suggest you have a conversation with a specialist at a local museum. I worked on a masters in Museology (Museum Science- which I never finished BTW) and we had several classes in material restoration.
If you are wanting a professional job it is going to be QUITE expensive. The fabric will have to be rewoven. A source for material that should match somewhat would be under one of the patch pockets on the chest or skirt of the tunic. A preservationist will then replace that material with a suitable replacement. The fabric patch would then have to be rewoven into the sleeve of the tunic. When I was taking these classes, to reweave a quarter sized hole cost around $100. A dime sized hole was around $50. It ain't cheap.
If you are simply wanting to do the repair yourself, you might check with a local tailor or business that does alterations. Again, the replacement patch will come from under the pocket of the uniform, or they will have to cut up another uniform to get the patch. Even a professional job will show some evidence of the repair, though there are some real artists in this profession.
As for buttons, eBay or a local flea market will be a good place to start. They shouldn't cost more than a buck or two apiece.
Allan

[VerKuilen Ager]

A real tough problem would be matching the material. You can lay out a dozen uniforms from that period and, due to original manufacture combined with aging, you might not see any two that are identical. Weave, wear, nap, color, etc. will vary. Unless this is a fairly scarce combo, it might be best to just face the facts, accept it for what it is, and move on.

If you are really set on restoration, you might consider replacing the entire sleeve. Mismatched material might not show quite as readily, and the reweaving problem and expense would be swapped for junking another whole uniform. I've seen a number of originals that had poorly matched materials (particularly in color) as the various pieces were taken from different lots.

The least expensive solution might be to go to have one of the several makers of reproductions for reinactors put on a new sleeve. They could make the best material match, not wreck another item, and maybe present the most economical and esthetic solution. You'd just need to wrestle with the "ethical" issue of putting new parts on an old item.

[Paul_Mullins]

Thanks for the help guys, I honestly believe this is the best advice I have ever recieved on this type of question.