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Western Pleasure Rail Shirts
My daughter shows quarter horses in the western pleasure riding class. She wants me to make the fancy shirts with the ultrasuede or leather appliques and lots of bling. I have some suitability patterns...any ideas or help would be appreciated. What is a good weight interfacing for the collars using suiting gabardine material?
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I have tons of info to pass on to you (post #34131, reply #1 of 23)
I had my own business of making horse show clothing for about 10 years, family emergency, and my business folded about 5 years ag9o. I have a wealth of inifo I can pass on to you such as what to use, fabric-wide; leather-wise; crystals, how to prepare you machine, threads to use, patterns (that are so much better fitting than suitability, you name it, I can help.
I just registered on this board (because I just found it last night) and would really like to help you with all your show-clothing questions!
If you are still posting, please reply to this link and we can start changing all kinds of info that I would like to share. I'm out of the business and don't plan on getting back in, it took me too long to make a name and I'm just too worn out to build a business again. I'd like to know that my experience could help someone out, especially sincea couple showclothes cost about as much as a good used car! - I never could justify how people could buy from STSC when there were so many more unique sellers out there!
Please reply, I look forward to hearing from you, b
fancy Western shirts (post #34131, reply #2 of 23)
I have a 9 y/o sewing student that does the barrel-racing and wears the fancy shirts. She wants to add the bling to a purchased shirt until her sewing skills improve to making a shirt. I'll need your help as well if you'd be willing to share.
Re: the first posting about shirt interfacing. My favorite collar, cuff front band interfacng for a crisp look is the Medium weight sew-in Shirtmaker interfacing. I had purchased a bolt of it when I was sewing for 4 sons & hubby. I do not know where to get it now! It made the collars, etc. feel just like RTW!
Liz
Western Pleasure Rail Shirts (post #34131, reply #3 of 23)
I am so happy to see a reply to my post. My daughter wants the fancy, fancy shirts with tons of bling. I am looking forward to hearing and getting all the help I can (she really likes those from BerryFit!). I am open to any and all suggestions. I have made rail shirts from suitability, but my biggest challenge are the appliques. I will check back to see if you posted. Thanks again.
Western rail shirts (post #34131, reply #4 of 23)
I am still hoping that I will get some information from some of you experienced sewers that have made rail shirts with appliques....
Western rail shirts (post #34131, reply #5 of 23)
I designed and made shirts for a lady that sold horse show clothing for 10 years. The trick is a lot of fusible web and a very good zig-zag stitch. I made the shirts and did the applique, she would do all of the stones and glitz...
Hope this helps...
Western Rail Shirts (post #34131, reply #6 of 23)
Thanks for the tip. When you cut the appliques did you use a pattern or did you draw them by hand? Where did you get the patterns? My daughter would rather have the thinner appliques than what suitability has. Also, did you layer the appliques, for example the same applique on top of each other ..one in black and the one on top white..How idd you make the size change and what did you use to layer. How did you place on garment so that they were exactly the same on the front and both sleeves. Any tips would e helpful. I just want to sew for my daughter...no business here. I am a Registered Nurse that works full time! Thanks again!
Western Rail Shirts (post #34131, reply #7 of 23)
Most of the designs were original or copied from a magazine, then drawn by hand on a sturdy pattern paper...the designs were traced to the fusible web, (you need to pay a lot of attention to reversing the designs). The web was fused to the applique fabric and then cut out...Peel the paper off and fuse to the garment fabric, then zigzagged...Depending on the garment fabric, I tried not to use too many layers of applique on top of each other...I used a ruler to line up the designs on opposite sides so it would match...
A copy machine will help in reducing or expanding designs, so they don't have to be re-drawn...
Anything else??? Just let me know...I am glad to help...
western rail shirts (post #34131, reply #8 of 23)
Cheryl, my student has a shirt with intricate ultra suede designs like "horse and barrel racer", etc. Do you know where to get die-cut designs? They are so perfect I can't believe they were hand cut!
Liz
Western rail shirts (post #34131, reply #11 of 23)
Liz:
All of our designs were handmade...You might try searching on the web for ready made appliques..
Cheryl
Western Rail Shirts (post #34131, reply #9 of 23)
I guess my daughter is more interested in showmanship jackets. Do you have any suggestions for a jacket pattern with front zipper other than Suitability?
Western Rail Shirts (post #34131, reply #10 of 23)
We used Suitability and regular patterns (like McCalls, Butterick, etc)...Just go through the pattern books and see what is comparable...most jacket patterns can be converted so you can use a zipper...
western pleasure shirts for daughter (post #34131, reply #12 of 23)
Brynn714, you appear to be the source I've been searching for. I love to sew my dauthers show clothing. I would greatly appreciate any information or guidance.
What type of interfacing or material did you use for the collars of rail shirts when using a lightweight to med spandex material.?
Do you have any good sources for your fabric purchases (ie...metallic leather for appliques or leather for collar/cuffs)?
What patterns do you suggest other than suitablity?
Would love to hear your suggestions...look forward to your reply. thanks, mmoose
Interested in what patterns you used. (post #34131, reply #13 of 23)
I also find that Suitability patterns suck, I am wondering what patterns that you used. Also, did you have a good place to order rhinestones from?
Western Pleasure Rail Shirts - Patterns (post #34131, reply #14 of 23)
@shmom
Hi,
I'm also a "show mom" that is starting her own business doing show clothing. If you haven't already received all the information you need from Brynn714 you might want to check out ShowClothesUnlimited - Pegg Johnson / easy to google. She has a couple of great little books out; one is Starting Your Own Show Clothing Business and the other is A Beginners Guide to Sewing Show Clothes. She also has a book with Applique designs and sells Jean Hardy Patterns as well as Suitability. You can also check out some of the old Lola Gentry patterns (can't remember the website but easy to google)
As for patterns an excellent idea is to go through the pattern books and identify the "princess seamed" jackets; keeping in mind whether you want to sew them in a woven or a lycra/spandex blend or a combination of both.
There are tons of sources of good quality rhinestones out there, you need to decide how you want to attach them - glue / hot affix / rimset / or stitch them down. All have pros and cons.
There are also some great sources of leather out there D'Anton is one that comes to mind, also keep in mind that there are some lovely ultra-suedes out there.
Take a peek on Facebook; there are some AMAZING designers/show clothing business people on line and they are great about checking out your pictures and giving feedback. I really appreciate and value the feedback and wisdom of those people who have been in the "biz" for a while; just like Brynn714. I'm sure she has lots of good advice and suggestions for you to consider.
Take care and good luck with this!
DebC
Western pleasure show clothing (post #34131, reply #15 of 23)
Hi Brynn714,
I know this post is kind of old, but I would like to make my own show clothes for western pleasure classes ( i can't afford the nice looking ones otherwise!) and I need some help with good patterns, what kind of fabric, thread, machines, and what is the best method for applying Austrian crystals. I have not ever sewn show clothes but I have sewn fall festival costumes to re-doing the seats to our kitchen table chairs. Any advice & tips would be very appreciated. Thank you! -Stephanie
showmanship clothes (post #34131, reply #17 of 23)
Hopfuly you are still able to pass on any information that you may give me on Rail shirts or sms sets.
My daughter has started our local 4h here and she wants to show in the Special Olympics ( she is disabled). I am going to try to sell some rail shirts so we can lease a horse for her. She also like helping with all the "bling and disign".
I do sew, I have been in a drapery business for 20 years, I have started on a jacket but understanding the ins and outs of the appliques and were to get ultra suede, and leathers! WOW it is taking up so much time!!! This is out of my teritorie!
Any advise on how to hold the appilues down>\? You cant really apply heat to leather for fusible webbing. Then i tried glue..but that gummed my needle up. Also what source for the coloerful lightweight 4 way stretch rail shirts
any help, is help for me. I dont work with patterns in my everyday sewing. i did purchase a suitabiliy pattern and i thought to start it works ok.
Thank you in advance
Georgia
Western Pleasure - DIY clothing (post #34131, reply #21 of 23)
I'm new here, and I'm hoping that I can jump start this thread again.
I have 2 girls that ride. One is English and the other is Western (along with myself) and I'd like to start making my daughters Western Pleasure clothing. I've been sewing for years, but not too long ago, I "hung up the sewing machine" so to speak to try other things. As I started looking into purchasing clothing for my daughter - I got "sticker shocked" big time!
WOW! I'm draggin the sewing machine out again I think.
Anyway, if anyone has any info they'd like to share in regards to this, I would gladly read and pay attention! I have NO idea where to look for fabric, patterns, designs, etc. I've been out of the loop for a while (fabric in general).
I would also be interested in finding out where I can purchase english blankets and western pads/blankets at wholesale cost.
Thanks in advance ladies :)
Sabrina
rail shirts (post #34131, reply #23 of 23)
The patterns I have are Suitability(4160,6100,5029) and Jean Hardy(1030) . Did do a trial run on view 2 to see how they fit together. It was pretty easy but when I do it again I will put a slippery linning in it. Haven't done the closure yet but I was thinking about fake buttons and doing big snaps so I wouldn't have to do buttonholes as they really are not my best thing. Should practise, practise, practise them. The local fabric shops here carry the shinney lycra and we also have a Michaels for the bling. I pick up fabric at garage sales, goodwill stores as well as long as it has some good stretch. Haven't tried the Pleather for jackets yet(can't afford real leather). I'm sure this will be a learn as you go thing for me.
western rail shirt (post #34131, reply #16 of 23)
I started making show shirts, but am having difficulty finding good sources for wholesale fabric for the shirts. Anybody know of any? Thanks for your help!
horsesewin's picture western rail shirt (post #34131, reply #18 of 23)
Are you sewing specifically for fashion wear?
show shirts (post #34131, reply #19 of 23)
I am not sewing for fashion! I am making shirts for local 4h programs. we are hopiong to sell some of the shirts for enough money to lease horses and barn space.
Do you know where to get quailty fabrics?
Not novelty fabric but 100% cotton fabric? (post #34131, reply #20 of 23)
Farmhouse Fabrics, LLC carries a wide variety and weights of cotton fabrics. They are beautiful fabrics and I've purchases and I am their returning customer. You could try this site, but the colors are geared more towards feminine pastels. I can't think of another site tht carries cotton. Emma One Sock carries beautiful fabrics, but they seem to be more towards women's wear. I've managed to purchase fabric from Emma One Sock for my husband's hoodies, fabrics from Hugo Boss. Emma One Sock's fabrics are not in bulk and have limited quantities. Denver Fabrics carry a wide variety of fabrics, but I am not always clear on what I will receive, and I have been surprised. Fabric.com has very bad spelling and it is hard to locate anything specifically and I am sometimes disappointed with their results. Their soft cottons have arrived to me feeling rougher than expected, as an example. If you provide more specifics about the weight and fiber type, I could think deeper for you. I hope I've been helpful.
rail shirts (post #34131, reply #22 of 23)
How have you been making out with these shirts? Don't know if I have any real help for you but I am going to give these shirts a shot as well. Have been looking at the shirts on line, there are some pretty fancy ones out there(not to mention the price factor). Think I have a pretty good idea for they are put together. ( I do sew.) The patterns I have are suitability as well. Did sew a jacket to see how they go together, found it pretty easy.The collar on it was just a little stand up one and the material was upholestry material so used a really light interfacing so can't really help you there. Now to get the patterns to fit the actual body which is another story with me. A couple of things I haven't tried yet are the high collar and the (removable?) french cuffs. Plan on doing some trial sewing on these as I don't have a clue on the height of the collar and how stiff it should be ect. I'm guessing the cuffs are attatched with velcro if they are removable, but don't understand the advantage to having them removable unless it is just for cleaning purposes???
As for appliques, I think if you trace/draw a design that you are happy with is likely the way to go. It seems that the edges of them are covered with a strip of bling to hide the seam line. You likely could use the clear thread to see that on with, or that is my idea for now anyway. I remember reading "if you can't see the mistake/seam from the back of a galloping horse at 20 paces, not to sweat the small stuff".
Michael's had a sale (they always have sales) got a bunch of bling from there but haven't used them yet. Want to do a trial run first for fit.