Howdy all. I can't think of anything better in the winter than wool pants. I don't see them at Jas Townsend or any other place like that. I like making my own anyhow. but, since I don't see them anywhere, and all I hear about are buckskins and maybe linen pants, are they period correct? They must be, I know they used wool leggings. Where could I find a good pattern, or should I just use some old canvas broadfall pants and make a pair of woolies out of those?

Sawbones, that's what I'd do. Matter of fact, I sort of did it myself sans the canvas pants - just cut out a pattern to fit me from an old blanket and fit some suspenders to them. Will try them out soon. You have a good idea, though. I don't know about the period correct part. I'm not too much into that end of this pastime.

Sawbones,
Yes, wool of some kind was used for pantaloons. If you're going for an early type (1800-1825+-) and for a middle-class or gentleman's outfit, they would be tighter, more like the Rev War military pants; looser ones were of course also used by regular guys, and later on in the fur trade era were in style.
A couple of the historical pattern companies have patterns for both types, especially with the anniversary of the War of 1812 coming up.
I think the wool used for pantaloons or trousers would be somewhat lighter-weight, tight-weave, maybe with a "hard" finish.

Dick

I do believe Townsend will make pants/britches/etc out of wool...perhaps re-reading the catalog or a phone call?

I did that Mitch and they will make some for me out of wool. I just need to decide if I want to make them myself out of blankets or buy them...

Bones,
pants made out of blankets would be too scratchy, too warm most of the time, and unlike anything anyone probably ever wore. Wool broadcloth of some kind, while not cheap, "coat weight" or garment weight, would be the way to go.

Dick

That sounds like good advice Dick, I think I will order some of that. Thanks

Sawbones, at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, wool overalls were standard winter uniform. They were blue with a white stripe for Infantry and a gold stripe for Artillery.

Bones,
"Overalls" is the word I was looking for; Pvt. Potts is correct. They are built like knee-breeches--tight in the leg for a "sexy" appearance, but they go all the way down to the ankle. Civilian pantaloons in the early 1800s, as I understand it, were very tight in the leg and maybe had that loop of cloth going under the instep. Trousers were the looser pants, the "relaxed fit" of the day. The terms may have been somewhat interchangeable; I'm no expert on that. When you get the chance check out historical men's styles on line or at the library, to see the difference, or look at the patterns available from some of our suppliers.

Dick

For Patterns - Kannik's Corner has what are considered to be the best documented patterns available....

Dick, you got it backwards! Overalls are tight fitting and have the gaiter coming down over the shoe top. Pantaloons are also tight-fitting but only reach to the ankles. By the way, both of them are so tight that, in order to have room to sit down, the have a very large and loose butt! My wife says I look like I hav a full diaper when I wear my overalls!

Pvt. Potts,
Yeah, we're talking about the same thing. I just couldn't think of the name for the military pants in my earlier quote. The pantaloons are like breeches, too, in respect to the baggy butt issue.

Dick

wool breeches/trousers are period correct way back. my 'french marine' uniform breeches for period 1740s is wool [indigo blue]. Wool was common in northern climes--one reason you don't see many 'longhunters' etc wearing them is that sheep were not common in the south or interior then [or now], wool material was imported and more expensive than linen, hemp, leather etc...

It is also perhaps because of the use. Longhunters often wore a mish-mash of Indian and white clothing. In fact one journal notes that as one party returned from a long hunt they stopped at about a day's ride from the settlements, to clean themselves up and dress properly. Christopher Gist, a noted frontiersman from the F&I through the AWI, and a close friend who had once saved General Washington, was refused admittance to the General's presence until he put on a pair of breeches. He was probably wearing blanket leggings and a breech clout at the time.

LD

Don't know how PC it might be but in really cold weather I have worn wool leggings under leather ones. the wool created the warmth n the leather blocked the wind n briars n such from buggering up the wool. Maybe a wool pair of pantaloons with a tight weave linen or canvas over top would work the same way. Blanket weight wool is usually to heavy n bulky for pants but as others have said a good tightly woven garment weight wool would be the ticket

Leggings, yes that is what I decided to do. I watched a Mark Baker video on how to make them, and I am going to do that. There are really good priced English wool blankets that are "seconds" and have the corners cut off of them from Turkey Foot Trading Company. Only $22 a blanket! To cut up and use for things like this is perfect for them. They aren't as thick as a Witney or a Hudson Bay, and they are all white. I am gonna soak them in a walnut hull bath and give it a try. Thanks for all the advice!