Mecklenburg Officer JR 90
- Thread starter b.loree
- Start date
Brian,
I checked my thread stock , and for officer helmets I have used 100% cotton button thread and 24% cotton/74% nylon extra heavy duty upholstery thread. The purist might not like the latter choice. The linen thread comes from a leather craft supply in New York. I have stitched six visors with this with no breaks, and I pull every stitch tight. You mentioned vintage thread; I have several spools of pre-1945 white cotton thread (no glow) that I have used on clothing items, and it breaks constantly. So your bad experience with linen could be due to age? The tapestry needles I use are 22/24 gage. You have to watch the eye end outer diameter size. This seems to vary by manufacturer with some being larger than desired.
Ron
I checked my thread stock , and for officer helmets I have used 100% cotton button thread and 24% cotton/74% nylon extra heavy duty upholstery thread. The purist might not like the latter choice. The linen thread comes from a leather craft supply in New York. I have stitched six visors with this with no breaks, and I pull every stitch tight. You mentioned vintage thread; I have several spools of pre-1945 white cotton thread (no glow) that I have used on clothing items, and it breaks constantly. So your bad experience with linen could be due to age? The tapestry needles I use are 22/24 gage. You have to watch the eye end outer diameter size. This seems to vary by manufacturer with some being larger than desired.
Ron
Bobted
Well-known member
I will check . RobCut off what you need then dye it black.That thread would probably be ok for OR helmet but too thick for officer. Did you get my email about a silk liner for your helmet? I sent it two days ago.
I finally finished this project yesterday:
New original liner stitched in, not totally perfect but the best that I can do when matching up two 100+ year old parts not original to this helmet.
This has been the most complicated restoration that I have done so far, unfortunately much of it had to be done with less than 100% health.
Work done:
Re restitch both visors one of which was not original to this helmet
Re stitch both side reinforcements
Install new original sweat band
Install new original silk liner
Secure one wappen screw post
I appreciate Rob's patience and understanding during this approx. 4 month long process.
New original liner stitched in, not totally perfect but the best that I can do when matching up two 100+ year old parts not original to this helmet.
This has been the most complicated restoration that I have done so far, unfortunately much of it had to be done with less than 100% health.
Work done:
Re restitch both visors one of which was not original to this helmet
Re stitch both side reinforcements
Install new original sweat band
Install new original silk liner
Secure one wappen screw post
I appreciate Rob's patience and understanding during this approx. 4 month long process.
Bobted
Well-known member
Helmet arrived today back from the magician. It’s quite incredible the transformation from falling apart forlorn unwanted well past its magisterial best back to amazing! Very impressive work as you can see if you compare the before to after. Great job. Rob
Attachments
Cool great job Brian, now you can start on mine
