Sewing for CCW?
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If you have the right gun, the right holster, the right belt, sewing garments should not be necessary. Been carrying concealed for 35 years and I can not operate (hell- - I don't even own one) a sewing machine.
1fly2ty
Member
Do what I did buy Blackhawk Concealed carry shirts, no sewing work perfect! Even found them cheaper on Amazon.com.
Probably better qualify, I'm female, The Blackhawk shirts and every other decent carry clothing is designed for those with no curves. If I get them sized large enough to allow me to button the top I look like I'm wearing a tent. So I thought I could do some tailoring of jackets and light overshirts to more effectively conceal my gun.
PS Reason is that I know that couture clothing and all clothing made prior to the age of ready to wear was tailored and sized to fit the person in a way we never even dream of now. Just look at the skill and beauty of properly fitted plate armor! Even peasant clothing was better made than what can be bought now. Heck the fabrics aren't even as well made, the finest hand weaving and hand spinning from ancient Egyptian times can't be duplicated with any modern machinery! But I do have and know how to use a sewing machine and know some tailoring tricks but wanted a place to start.
PS Reason is that I know that couture clothing and all clothing made prior to the age of ready to wear was tailored and sized to fit the person in a way we never even dream of now. Just look at the skill and beauty of properly fitted plate armor! Even peasant clothing was better made than what can be bought now. Heck the fabrics aren't even as well made, the finest hand weaving and hand spinning from ancient Egyptian times can't be duplicated with any modern machinery! But I do have and know how to use a sewing machine and know some tailoring tricks but wanted a place to start.
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ColbyBruce
Member
One of my neighbors came from a LE family, men and women. All of them went to the local Men's Wearhouse store and bought their clothing, and took their guns and carry rigs with them. The clothes were tailored around the firearms. Not sure where the two women purchased their clothes, but did get them tailored at the same shop. You might check around your area for a good tailor and discuss your needs with him/her.
David Sinko
Member
The only cutting and sewing I have ever done was to a Nemesis pocket holster made for a J Frame so that it carried my 2" K Frame deeper in the pocket.
For the females, I have seen a picture of a small semiauto in a kydex holster attached to the bottom of a bra. Obviously this will be a custom proposition, as one size does NOT fit all.
Dave Sinko
For the females, I have seen a picture of a small semiauto in a kydex holster attached to the bottom of a bra. Obviously this will be a custom proposition, as one size does NOT fit all.
Dave Sinko
Chik a Boom
Member
I put "sewing for concealed carry" into Bing and all I could find was one jacket pattern. I'm guessing you just want to alter some of those "tent" shirts?
I used to sew years ago, but followed the pattern and didn't get too creative, so don't have a lot of wisdom here, however, I wonder if you could experiment with some darts up the sides that might give the shirt a little more feminine shaping?
I have been able to get by with a tank top and cover shirt or vest over blouse on most occasions and still pass for a girl.
If you do come across anything worthwhile, please feel free to pass it on.
I used to sew years ago, but followed the pattern and didn't get too creative, so don't have a lot of wisdom here, however, I wonder if you could experiment with some darts up the sides that might give the shirt a little more feminine shaping?
I have been able to get by with a tank top and cover shirt or vest over blouse on most occasions and still pass for a girl.
If you do come across anything worthwhile, please feel free to pass it on.
Something like that. I work outside so normal summer wear for me is heavy duty canvas pants, t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt or light jacket over it. But my normal over shirts are lightweight cotton and light color and my gun prints when I wear them. Looking for something else and figured I'd have to make it. I've got a dressform that matches me so I can try things on it to tailor them but it's static, movement is different as I've discovered ;-)
Actually some historical medieval, 16th and 17th century patterns look like they would be perfect, not sure I can get away with wearing that though!
Chik a Boom
Member
Could you wear cargo pants as your heavy duty canvas pants where you could tuck something away in a pocket?
get darker colored, larger, roomy shirts with patterns that "break up" the image to the eye.
That's what I was thinking, something with pockets you can tuck a snubby with a pocket holster in.
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Tried that last year, didn't work, cargo pants look really bad but worse, the low pockets on my short frame put the important parts in harms way from rams and when I kneel in mud to deliver lambs. Stuff has to stay on my waistband or higher to be safe.
Current favorite pants are Carharrt Easy fit curvy cut pants.
Hill_Country
Member
Just FWIW, I've carried long guns and hand guns in some pretty sloppy conditions from VN to the swamps of Louisiana, and can assure you that they don't melt. As long as you take the time to clean them up its not a huge problem. Generally, I was more concerned about security and not losing the weapon in the mud than about keeping it clean.
I'm no fashion plate - that sounds secondary for you, too - and cargo pockets work great for me as long as there is an inner pocket to keep the gun from flopping around. Those kind of pants often have oversized front and back pockets, too, often with flaps. Sounds like you're pretty set on belt carry, though.
What's the problem with the rams? Butting you? I was about 4 or 5 years old when a young ram knocked me down and my Grandpa gave me a stick and told me to smack the ram as hard as I could if it got near me. Took one time and the problem was solved - at least with that young ram and I quickly got smart enough to watch my back as he got bigger.
I'm no fashion plate - that sounds secondary for you, too - and cargo pockets work great for me as long as there is an inner pocket to keep the gun from flopping around. Those kind of pants often have oversized front and back pockets, too, often with flaps. Sounds like you're pretty set on belt carry, though.
What's the problem with the rams? Butting you? I was about 4 or 5 years old when a young ram knocked me down and my Grandpa gave me a stick and told me to smack the ram as hard as I could if it got near me. Took one time and the problem was solved - at least with that young ram and I quickly got smart enough to watch my back as he got bigger.
ColbyBruce
Member
Have you tried a Small Of The Back style holster? This type does conceal well, I currently have one for my Glock 32 & 19's. Another option is the 5.11 T shirt with holster pockets under each arm. I bought my brother one of these, as he rides motorcycles, and he likes it.
sipowicz
Member
I sew up all my underwear on the right side to make me dress to the left for when I appendix carry.
Thanks for the options:
To answer several posts in one.
small of back carry ruled out due to risk if I fall on my gun doing myself injury in the process. Read too many reasons why small of back is bad I guess.
I am considering a shoulder harness but they are expensive and I really want to test one out first. I already have to return one nice Desantis holster because it is incredibly uncomfortable. It looked ok in the store but I wasn't really prepared to try it on there and when I got home there was no way it would fit me at all. It basically made the gun poke everywhere, butt end of the grips into my chest, muzzle into my hip and I couldn't bend or twist. Yet a lot of men find them very comfortable.
I'm also looking at some of the t-shirt with underarm carry pockets as well.
Now there is a business opportunity for some LGS. Get a variety of holsters, even some of the custom ones if possible and let people actually try them on.
Cargo pockets put things like my cell phone and camera in harms way because I use my knees and legs to catch and hold sheep. Rams horns can poke places you really don't want them too. Rams don't butt us more than 2 times before they are history so it's not butting it's using my own body as a head catch.
I also found that stuff in cargo pockets got in the way kneeling. Stuff in any of the pockets shifts and then I can't kneel comfortably. I do fine with stuff on my belt, I routinely carry things on belt pouches and the gun doesn't get in the way of any of my normal activities so far but isn't always invisible.
I'll keep looking. No wonder women end up with many more holsters than most men :sigh:
To answer several posts in one.
small of back carry ruled out due to risk if I fall on my gun doing myself injury in the process. Read too many reasons why small of back is bad I guess.
I am considering a shoulder harness but they are expensive and I really want to test one out first. I already have to return one nice Desantis holster because it is incredibly uncomfortable. It looked ok in the store but I wasn't really prepared to try it on there and when I got home there was no way it would fit me at all. It basically made the gun poke everywhere, butt end of the grips into my chest, muzzle into my hip and I couldn't bend or twist. Yet a lot of men find them very comfortable.
I'm also looking at some of the t-shirt with underarm carry pockets as well.
Now there is a business opportunity for some LGS. Get a variety of holsters, even some of the custom ones if possible and let people actually try them on.
Cargo pockets put things like my cell phone and camera in harms way because I use my knees and legs to catch and hold sheep. Rams horns can poke places you really don't want them too. Rams don't butt us more than 2 times before they are history so it's not butting it's using my own body as a head catch.
I also found that stuff in cargo pockets got in the way kneeling. Stuff in any of the pockets shifts and then I can't kneel comfortably. I do fine with stuff on my belt, I routinely carry things on belt pouches and the gun doesn't get in the way of any of my normal activities so far but isn't always invisible.
I'll keep looking. No wonder women end up with many more holsters than most men :sigh:
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ColbyBruce
Member
I can cover a twin bed with holsters, LOL! I try to buy used, and purchase similar types by different makers for my various handguns. You might go to a custom holster maker and talk to them, let them see how you move about, what you carry, and discuss your needs. Custom is not cheap, but you get what you want and need.
I do not see that you mention what firearm you carry. Perhaps you need to rethink that as well.
