13 replies to this topic

[mattbnunn]

Good Morning All!

 

I have a rather large costume project that I will begin cutting later this year and was wondering if anyone of you out there had a PDF version of THE CLIMAX SYSTEM OF CUTTING GENTLEMEN'S GARMENTS (by W E Leggett and T W Hodgkinson) that they would care to share with me.  

 

I've exhausted all the usual resources and can't seem to come up with one anywhere.  It would be greatly appreciated!

 

Many thanks,

 

Matthew 

[pfaff260]

I have a handwritten copy from 1935. I could scan it.

[mattbnunn]

That's very kind of you, Pfaff260, but I would hate to ask you to go to all that trouble.  Just hoping someone has a PDF version out there that I could download.  Thank you for offering though.

[Terri]

Its a big book. I have a very old ( now tied together with tailors tape) photocopy. Not digitized
It is a big book, is there a specific few things you need that I could copy for you?
My copy is earlier than 1935 I believe.

Edited by Terri, 01 June 2017 - 09:03 PM.

[mattbnunn]

Hey there Terri!  

 

I don't have sketches yet, but the designer has shared his research with me. 

 

I would really like to have a trouser draft (that would go well with multiple 3pc suits on our principal men - flat front, slim leg style) and I'd like to study several regulation sack suit drafts from the period - 3 or 4 button style, peaked lapels, notched lapels, etc., along with a suit vest of the era.  No overcoats that I know of are worn thus far - but they somehow ALWAYS manage to have to be made/added by a director once an actor sets foot onstage at first dress!    

 

IF you could possibly manage that with your copy, I would greatly appreciate it!  

 

Matt 

[Terri]

I will see what I can do tomorrow. I am away this weekend.
T

[J. Maclochlainn]

Which era and location is the setting? Have you cut from the climax before? Why specifically the climax system? Do you have makers that can do the necessary iron work required for said system?

[mattbnunn]

It's American, 1917; thus the reason for that particular drafting system since that book was published about that time.  I have not cut from the Climax System before - I've never needed a copy of it until now.  My primary focus is to have a reference "on paper" to achieve the right cut for the period, also give the designer a (better) idea of how these suits were cut.    

[J. Maclochlainn]

Honestly Climax would give you a decided more "English" flair. Personally, I would use the more "popular" systems that were used in America at the time. My research shows that the more popular and widely distributed systems of the time would have been Regal's, anything published by Jno. Mitchell (the American Tailor and cutter was quite popular at the time and Croonborg.

[A. Ferrell]

If you're just looking for cutting systems from the era, there are many cutting guides to download here:

 

http://www.siamcostu...ides.php?cat=14

 

I'm sure you can find one from the correct time period (though you may have to click on a few to look at the publication dates, since they aren't all listed in the description/title).

[posaune]

how cool is this??
Thank you
posaune

[mattbnunn]

Thanks J Machlochlainn and A. Ferrell - I have all those drafts already - and (literally) DOZENS of others in my personal library - just think the Climax System will be a good thing to study and note differences in cut and style.  

[Terri]

I think the Climax system is very useful and worth having a look at. It covers a great number of garments, common and otherwise.
Although I do not use any period system verbatim, I find this system is much more "usable" than most of the others.

[SPOOKIETOO]

OMG! A Ferrell -  What an Amazing site!

 

I need to go buy some ink cartridges and paper.

 

Absolutely AMAZING!  THANK YOU!