Rocking Horse Farm; Men's and Ladies' Patterns

[Mme de Beaufort]

rockinghorse-farm.com/?mainURL=/store/category/8n21/Regency.html

Have you done any of these? What are you opinions?

[cosmoblue]

I found this review here: www.gbacg.org/GreatPatternReview/RockingHorseFarm.htm

#199 - Men's 1812 Waistcoat

Sally Norton - Not Recommended
The pattern piece for the standup collar is incorrect. Measure the length you want and cut two rectangles on the bias for the collar. The pattern runs large. If you decide to use this pattern, make it in muslin first.

[dawnluckham]

Gosh! The coat my friend made from this pattern is quite beautiful. It's got a lovely m-notch collar. The only thing she didn't like about the pattern was that it doesn't offer the earlier armscye cut. It's a beautiful coat for 1820's though, and certainly her husband is happier wearing this cut than the earlier sleeve cut. He says he feels more comfortable with the fit in the shoulders.

[Mme de Beaufort]

The gentleman's waistcoat, double breasted is what I've used for two of my husband's garments, and honestly, I have had little to no problem with it. The instructions are clear, the supply list is a bit off; I was short interfacing based on their list, but other than that, it's produced a couple of lovely waistcoats (barring that I put the collar on upside down on the second one, I'm such an idiot. It doesn't help when you're making new garments only days before an evnet, you make stupid decisions).

I like this pattern. I will probably use it again. And again.

[The Major]

That's good to know about their waistcoat pattern. But beware, some of the RHF patterns are inaccurate, incomplete, and some have horrible instructions. I'm not a tailor, but well above novice in sewing and make most of my own clothing and uniform items (as well as for my regiment), and I've had trouble figuring our some patterns. Although I will say the trousers pattern in their Dragoon pattern make a very nice looking trouser and easy to fit.

[Mme de Beaufort]

I've heard similar warnings about innacurate costumes... I was curious about their regency frock-coat (that is not currently available)... but I'm fixated on another pattern for the frock coat now.

[dawnluckham]

Dear Major, I think you’re referring to the OLD Rocking Horse patterns. The company has been taken over by new owners and these ladies have removed all the patterns that have had past difficulties and they are meticulously redrafting and attempting to make them “right”.

I’m not an expert in men’s clothing so I can’t speak to inaccuracies there, but I can say that the women’s clothing patterns I have seen appear to be fine. We must keep in mind that what is inaccurate for 1812, may be just fine for 1820 and both these dates fall within the Regency period.

I would not paint the company with such a black paintbrush, myself.

As far as critiques of the patterns listed, I have worked with the “accessories” pattern. If you purchase the pattern for the bonnet, you will be disappointed. However, the apron is an excellent and accurate period apron pattern and the chemisette is nice. I can’t recall about the turban and the reticule is simple. I also own the habit pattern which is very nice. The men’s coat looks wonderful when made up, but I would suggest the cut of the shoulder is not right for 1812. I have the little boy’s suit and it’s my intention to see how it converts to a skeleton suit. I suspect it may go quite well.

[The Major]

Dear Dawn,

You are correct. The RHF patterns I've used are from quite some time ago and very possibly of the old ownership. If they have have been improved, that is so much the better! I have always liked the variety they had, just not patterns themselves. I will look into some of the patterns that I would like to make again and give them another try when the occasion arises. Thank you so much for letting me know.

Has anyone made any men's clothes from the newer RHF patterns?

My time period spans from about 1808 (the creation of my Regiment) through about 1832 (Black Hawk war). From 1810ish until mid 1820's while there some very minor changes, there weren't really significant changes in gentlemen's clothing, nor U.S. Army uniforms. During that time, knee breeches became less and less prominent even for formal attire, but that may be the most significant. About mid-1820's the styles did start changing (fortunately the uniform for field grade officers did not change until 1835ish). If someone knows of this not being true, please do share your information.

[The Major]

Oops, I forgot to also say, I did not intend any negativity toward RHF or anyone. Merely to tell people to be cautious resulting from my past experience. My apology if anyone took my message negatively, I'll try better in the future to be more objective. Thank you for your understanding.

[Mme de Beaufort]

Dawn, I think a lot of people still operate on the idea that they're not accurate because when I was researching patterns for my hubby; I heard much questionable feedback about them.

Of course, because I'm hardheaded, these opininos didn't stop me from buying the pattern for the waistcoat, and I'd still buy the pattern for the frock-coat if the ladies ever decide to publish it again.

I had no problems with the pattern and I think it looked pretty excellent. Wingeo patterns on the other hand...

[dawnluckham]

Oh dear, no! Please, dear Major, don't think I was offended at all.

I simply wanted to point out that the patterns that I have personally encountered from this company have been fine. I know they have a past reputation of being difficult. But the ones I have worked with, I've found had very nice results.

The world of independent historical pattern companies is generally unique. This is why having “critique” on line has been so popular. Past Patterns sets an excellent and very high bar. Very few other historical patterns I’ve worked with provide the research and ease of use that Past Patterns offers (Laughing Moon is another one that meets that very high bar). Many of the other pattern companies are home based operations that may or may not have excellent instruction and may or may not include the pattern-makers original research.

As independent patterns are so often produced in these environments, it’s inevitable that some of them will be created by “self-taught” pattern makers (not necessarily a bad thing – but there are industry standards that may have not been learned). Simple things like having notches match and having step-by-step instructions “tested” by different sewers to ascertain instruction clarity may not have been done. Sometimes, what was considered a “good” pattern in 1978 (the Wingeo patterns) has not held up to the evolution of the historical pattern market and the evolution of the Living History hobby in general. I would not be surprised to find that patterns that we thought are very good today, would be considered “quaint” but no longer “the accurate choice” 25 years from now.

I don’t know the ladies who own the Rocking Horse Farms pattern company. I am, however, very impressed with their plans (and their results so far) to revise these patterns and get them ‘up to speed’ for those of us in the Living History world who seek out great variety and useful patterns of clothing from earlier eras. When people are new to living history, they seek out pattern companies like this one. It’s so important to have them available. The “difficult to use” reputation that this company had is going to be a hurdle to overcome. It’s up to people (like me ) who have found them to be good patterns to “spread the word!”

[maudelynn]

I have had no issues whatever with the regency era patterns...
the medieval ones, however...
Perhaps the new owners will have sorted that bit out, too ?

[maudelynn]

admin said:

I had no problems with the pattern and I think it looked pretty excellent. Wingeo patterns on the other hand...

I love the Wingeo patterns I think a lot of the review of patterns can be put down to personal styles and tastes. I am a visual learner. I love to read but I can do manual things by watching and learning, so patterns that aren't well illustrated, or intuitive can give me fits...

[The Major]

dawnluckham said:

Oh dear, no! Please, dear Major, don't think I was offended at all.

Whew! That's a relief. I thought perhaps I was too harsh.

dawnluckham said:

I would not be surprised to find that patterns that we thought are very good today, would be considered “quaint” but no longer “the accurate choice” 25 years from now.

As I've seen in the *ahem* years I have been participating in living history, I can say how true this is. Probably the only patterns immune from this would be those made directly from an extant example and not modified except possibly as to size. But then, you would have to develope your own instructions.

dawnluckham said:

The “difficult to use” reputation that this company had is going to be a hurdle to overcome. It’s up to people (like me ) who have found them to be good patterns to “spread the word!”

You have, good lady, convinced me. I will again give them a try. I will contact them to see if they have updated the Men's 1812 Waistcoat and Dragoon Uniform pattern. I need a better waistcoat pattern than I currently have (a modified Period Impressions) and I really would like to make my own uniform coat, so far this is one item I've always had made by someone else.

Thank you so much for the updated info.

[dawnluckham]

Do neither of the Past Patterns coat suit for your uniform coat? They are without question, beautiful coats when made up. I'm particularly partial to the one with the small back and over-cut armscye. They modify well to civilian wear (with an educated eye) as well. These patterns would be my first “stop” in looking for a man’s coat.

www.pastpatterns.com/032.html

www.pastpatterns.com/032.html

If you do contact the Rocking Horse pattern company please share what you learn with regard to the dragoon uniform. It’s not one I’ve personally seen so I’d love to know if this is one they’ve reworked and if it’s up to standards.

As far as length of time involved in the hobby I think your introduction tipped me off that we’ve shared an equal length of history. Reenactments of The War of 1812 were my first introduction into living history. I’m afraid, however, I’m much more confident on civilian side of the fence.

[The Major]

dawnluckham said:

Do neither of the Past Patterns coat suit for your uniform coat? They are without question, beautiful coats when made up. I'm particularly partial to the one with the small back and over-cut armscye. They modify well to civilian wear (with an educated eye) as well. These patterns would be my first “stop” in looking for a man’s coat.

www.pastpatterns.com/032.html

www.pastpatterns.com/032.html

If you do contact the Rocking Horse pattern company please share what you learn with regard to the dragoon uniform. It’s not one I’ve personally seen so I’d love to know if this is one they’ve reworked and if it’s up to standards.

As far as length of time involved in the hobby I think your introduction tipped me off that we’ve shared an equal length of history. Reenactments of The War of 1812 were my first introduction into living history. I’m afraid, however, I’m much more confident on civilian side of the fence.

This pattern looks like it would work for the earliest coat of my regiment, the model 1808. However, in 1810 the uniform was redesigned to the straight across front and tails. Since I've never attended an earlier event (don't even know of any), I've never pursued this style of regimental coat. I currently have an 1812 and an undress 1814 coats. More like the RHF Dragoon Uniform coat.

If/when I contact RHF, I will be sure to share all information I can gleen from them.

[Miss Catherine]

I was curious to see if anyone had used this particular pattern from Rocking Horse Farm. I'm considering buying it and could use some input on the clarity of the instructions and so on. Any help would be great!

[crowderhouse]

So far I have used the following RHF patterns:

• The Spencer Jacket (loved it - very easy to follow)
  
• The Regency Gown (it was fairly straight forward too - I have made 2 dresses and one overdress from it)
  
• The 1812 Vest (had no problem with the collar, so it might have been redrafted)
  
• The bonnet (it works for a straw hat - I find the straw hat bonnet doesn't quite come out as it looks if the movies are to be believed...)
  
• The Reticule (the instructions made it more complicated than it should be)
  
• The chemise (I was in a hurry, so won't make much comment yet.)
  
• The Poet's Shirt (the collar needs to be trimmed to be Regency, otherwise, it's an easy pattern to follow)
  
• Front Fall pants (very easy to follow, nice finished product. Tip - take measurements of your man, don't just follow what he believes his pant size to be.)
  
• Tail Coat (I found the cuffs and back pleats a challenge.)
  

[amandamoose]

I recently purchased the gown pattern...I'll make a review after I've made a dress with it lol

[amandamoose]

The day dress turned out terribly, it was like romulan fashion and regency fashion had a love child dress and it was awful!!! Thank goodness I had help to correct it and pretty much make it fresh. I do not recommend that pattern