Materials

Flannel (Chap. I, Par. 59). Muslin (Chap. 1, Par. 27).

Amount of material called for in the pattern used.

1 yard of 2" linen belting.

About 3/4" yard of 1/2" elastic.

Commercial pattern for baseball suit.

Silk thread to match material.

Buttonhole twist.

Introductory Statement

Baseball is a popular form of athletics in high school. In playing this game it is quite necessary that the boys have suits specially made for the purpose. Although these suits can be purchased ready made they may be made much more cheaply at home; they can also be made very acceptably by the girls in the sewing class. These suits are generally made of flannel trimmed with a contrasting color; colored outing flannel may also be used.

While they vary somewhat in a few details, such as the length of the sleeves or the shape of the collar, the general style of these suits is about the same. Of course the lettering on the suits will depend on local conditions; the name of the school, the club or team will usually suggest suitable initials or monogram.

The suit shown in this lesson is made of gray flannel trimmed with a similar material of navy blue.

References:

Textiles and Clothing, Watson. American School of Home Economics. Clothes Moths, U. S. Bulletin, 659.

Suggestions For Optional Modification

No. 1. Athletic Shirt.

No. 2. Track Trousers.

No. 1. Girl's Swimming Suit.

No. 2. Girl's Gym. Suit.

Working Directions For Base Ball Suit

Cutting Out Suit

As the drafting of a pattern for this ball suit would be rather difficult, you should use a commercial pattern. As the pattern may vary somewhat in style from the suit shown in the illustration, the directions given here should be used merely as suggestions. Before cutting out the suit, carefully study the guide chart and directions accompanying the pattern. Pin the pattern to the goods to keep it from slipping. Lay all the parts of the pattern on the material before beginning to cut. Cut out the entire suit. (If there is no separate pattern for the lining the pattern for the trousers may be used.)

Joining Seams On The Shirt

After basting the shoulders and under-arm seams of the back and front together on the right side, finish them with felled seams (Chap. II, Par. 138). Baste the seams of the sleeves together on the right side and finish with French seams (Chap. II, Par. 137). Set the sleeves in the armhole with lapped seams (Chap. II, Par. 139).

Finishing The Placket, Neck And Sleeves

As this shirt opens only part way down the center front, the opening should be finished with a placket; use the extension placket (Chap. II, Par. 162); make it lap from left to right. Trim the outside of the placket with a strip of flannel 2" wide and 2" longer than the placket; make it pointed at the bottom. Place three buttons and buttonholes as in illustration (Chap. II, Pars. 135 and 136).

The neck in this suit is finished with a double band of flannel 1" wide.

The bottom of the sleeves are finished with a strip of flannel 1 1/2" wide stitched on the right side of the edge of the sleeve.

Joining Seams Of The Trousers

Make the lining first. Join the parts of each leg, then sew the two legs together, leaving an opening for a placket about 4" long at the front end of the seam. Join the trousers in the same way. Place the lining inside the trousers, with all raw edges inside and baste the two together along the outside seems of the legs; stitch them together on these seams with two rows of parallel stitching, about 1/4" apart. Baste and stitch a hip pocket in place.

Placket For Trousers

To finish the opening on the front of the trousers, sew an extension 1" wide on the right-hand side of the opening (Chap. II, Par. 162); face the left side with a piece of lining 1 1/2" wide at the top, tapered off to 3/4" at the bottom; this should extend from the top of the opening to the crotch of the trousers. To provide an extra flap for the buttonholes (which do not show on the outside) a piece of flannel the same size and shape as the facing is first lined, then stitched with the facing to the trousers.

Three buttonholes are placed crosswise in the facing at regular intervals, the last one being placed 2" from the top. A button should be sewed on the under side of this facing at the top. Buttons to correspond with the buttonhole should be sewed on the extension piece and a buttonhole worked at the top to correspond with the button opposite.

To Finish The Top And Bottom

To provide a place through which to run the leather belt, five straps about 3/4" wide and 3" long should be sewed perpendicularly (at suitable distances) to the top edge of the trousers. Face the top of the trousers with some very strong material. The bottom of each leg is finished with a 1/2" hem, containing an elastic band.