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Post by teakmtn on Apr 17, 2012 18:57:59 GMT -7
So, if it is a given that some wore leggins and breechclouts. Fort Hall legdger shows "blue list cloth". When purchased, how wide was the strip sold?
Doug
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Post by Chuck Burrows on Apr 18, 2012 7:34:43 GMT -7
Some research has clouts being about 9" wide and the length of would be the width of the cloth bolt (about 56"), but IIRC these are for eastern clouts. Western clouts tended to be longer and as for width - IMO it all depends on ones size - in the RMFT era we are talking about an average size of about 5' 6" - 5'8" tall and around 130-145 lbs. If you're much bigger than that a clout in the above size will look like you're wearing a hankie!
Basic size for a clout width is to have it fit from the point of your hips to the other side. I'm 5'11" and currently weigh about 210 lbs so for me 11" wide is about right. Western clouts also tened to be longer - about knee length or just above it and for me that is about 66" long. Later western clouts were often even longer reaching to mid-calf or so.
If you've never worn a clout here's a "trick" I picked up about 40 years ago from and old Piegan who had always worn a clout was to put a twist in it where it goes between your legs - it takes a bit of getting used to (but then again so does any clout) but the advantages are it narrows the clout where needed and makes a sort of pocket for he family jewels.
Another option is to narrow the clout at the crotch area (hour glass shape) and if you're sensitive to wool line it with linen or cotten and yes that can be documented .
On the other hand while some may "feel" that wool is too warm for the summer months take it from some one who's worn a clout a lot that wool is best period as long as you're not sensitive to wool! - a good wool broadcloth (WM Booth Draper is a good source) or wool stroud (hard o find these days and more expemnsive than broadcloth) works best in my experience. Cotten or linen sounds good but they hold the moisture in rather than wicking it away like wool does.
Clouts do take some getting use to and for those new to them sewing a tunnerl at the back and/or the front for the belt ( I prefer a double length good braintan strip) helps keep things in place, but then having one front and back obviates some of the advantages that a regular clout offers. along knee length shirt helps keep one "proper" in mixed company.
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