Heads Up: Denim Tank Suit news

[Jim Burrill]

Hi folks,
for those that went through the winter "Pixie" or crew suits project, Irfan has been to a weaving mill and has said the run is a match for the original green denim I sent him.
See the two images at the factory.

Also, an original denim AFV crew suit was sent to him (received) as well as a repro of my suit from a different source about 7 years ago.

Also, we sent several Aramark coveralls to pin down the actual measurements for the size.

Not ready to take orders just yet, but approximate cost is 150USD Plus postage.

[Jordan Baker]

Sounds good

[Robert Bergeron]

Jim, are we buying from Irfan again or directly from you this time ? Cheers . Robert

[Jim Burrill]

Robert, I am not wealthy enough to buy 90-100 suits from him and hold them and you all buy from me.

I am sticking my toe in the waters with some smaller items like the BESA Tool roll, BREN fiber boxes and bags for the Mk2 carriers, and possibly the seat covers for CMP pattern seats. (both the back and bottom) And then the WS-19 waterproof covers. The profits from one goes to pay the production costs of the next project.

So, yes, best to send the order and payment directly to Irfan.

Maybe that can change if i can decently launch Burrill's /|\ Ordnance - ( the logo would be the older B /|\O )

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks for all the efforts and the work you have put into these projects Jim. I certainly appreciate everything you have been doing . I am in for two sets. Robert

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Sounds good Jim! As stated before I’m interested.

Will these become in Khaki colour (the light shade of yellow-brown) as well?

Regards,
Hanno

[Jim Burrill]

Hi folks - I call this a "heads-up" instead of "for sale" because I wanted to let you know that while I have seen the photo of the denim fabric, I have not yet seen Irfan's prototype suit yet.

The information in the order form is the prices and shipping.

While I am good with ordering my own from him at this point, waiting to see the final version may be a good idea.

Those of you that are happy with your Pixies may be confdent he will deliver a great denim suit.
I would suggest that if you place your order, tell him to wait until we have accepted his prototype before building yours.

Actually, the plan is for them to build a pile of set sizes and just pull a suit to fill an order.

Anyway, That is what I am advising Irfan to do. Collect orders but wait to make until I have QA'd the sample suit first.

Might make a nice Christmas present if you want to just get the order placed.

I welcome any suggestions from the group on a way to improve this project.
Thanks!!!

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Jim

Denim being denim...............Any allowances made for shrinking????

Looking forward to your QA comments.

Bob C

[Jim Burrill]

Good point. I would order to the high side of size. Denim - being all cotton - will shrink a bit. I don't know how this fabric will react, but in general it should fit quite loosely.

But to be safe, wash in cold water and air dry.

[Jim Burrill]

I have been asked about a khaki version of this AFV Crew suit.

I am a bit perplexed.... I don't have an original so I don't know what the difference is. (aside from color)

If it is also denim, I have to say with the 3,000 meter minimum order we had to put into the mill, not likely to happen.

If it was some kind of khaki cotton twill, it could be possible but I need to borrow/buy an original from someone.

Jerry Lee of WPG was selling a khaki coverall (not the mechanics' coverall) but it seemed it was ex Indian Army?

Anyone have better info? One to sell?

[RichardT10829]

Does Irfan have a prototype made yet that we can see ?

[Jim Burrill]

Here are pics of Irfan's suit I took today. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=7017d79e2d


I will try posting the link you all can use to see the album.

First pic is of the colors I have for his denim, original 50s denim, and a very washed and an unwashed Das Adler denim.

I find our production of the denim slightly olive compared to the 50s fabric which has been washed quite a bit. While it is different to the eye, I think it is still in keeping with wartime production. I had an original 44 dated denim jacket that was more olive/brown than the 50s stuff I also had at the time.

I would say it is good to go.

The two size labels are both from Das Adler's repros, but shown as datapoints. Irfan is currently working on a size chart that I haven't yet seen.

WIll post as soon as we have that finalized.

[horsa]

The attached document should have the size and order details.

Jim is doing a shrink test with a finished garment but this is what Irfan posted back in answer to the question: "It will not more shrink because I already washed all denim before making suits".

I've ordered but will refrain from anything but cold water washing and air drying until we hear real world results on hot water affecting them. Unless I end up needing it smaller but won't know that for a few more months I guess.

[RichardT10829]

Have to hand it to him, his quality is rather good, and a competitive price no less !

So when is he doing a good repro Dennison smock Jim ?

[Lew Skelton]

Just wondering if anyone else was thinking of getting a pair from down under?

[Jordan Baker]

Jim. Anymore on your wash test?

I'd like to order a couple to have for this upcoming season but want to make sure the sizing is all down

[Jim Burrill]

Hi Folks,
Attached is a pdf to use to place your order directly with Irfan for the suits.

In a nutshell - all suits US$ 150.00 plus postage.
Price break to order three.

Sizes - we settled on using the current size chart from a major uniform supply company. If you are unsure what to order, visit a shop that sells workers coveralls/boiler suits and try them on to find a good fit over whatever clothes you think you would wear underneath. Note the size. Compare to the chart in the order form and Bob's your uncle!

If in doubt, order a size larger.
If you need a longer torso, ask for a Tall. If your measurements are otherwise good, but you need longer legs, ask for a Tall to get an extra 2 inches.

If the right fit is too long int he inseam, you can take up the cuff seam or have a local dry cleaner/alteration shop do it.


Or, you can order a completely bespoke suit by filling out the attached measurements drawing.

Email your order to Irfan with your postal address. Get a verification of shipping costs and address any last questions. Use Paypal or Bank Wire to pay for it.

TIMELINE!!!! We plan to start cutting and sewing next month with deliveries by end of April. First order in is first order out.

[Jim Burrill]

Sorry... I screwed up the leg lengths in the PDF for the very large sizes. Irfan sent me a correction. Please use this PDF instead.

[Robert Bergeron]

Hey Jim , i had already ordered . Are there any notable changes in the size chart ? Thanks and cheers . Bob

[Jim Burrill]

Only changes were the inseam length on the really large sizes. They were too long.

Sorry everyone.

[Jim Burrill]

Hi Folks,
Where do I start...

The development of the suits was slow off the mark as Irfan was sending me test suits to check size and he sent me three prototypes. In the meantime, he was looking for orders.

Based on the reports of a good fabric being made up, and the success of the winter Pixie crewsuits, people placed orders with Irfan.

The sizes have been sorted. The patterns has been made and samples inspected. The fabric has been tested for shrinkage both raw and after the garment has been made. The patterns were changed to allow for extra fabric to be int he cut to allow for a really hot wash and dry.

Irfan has started delivering the suits based on the receipt of the orders.

As of a few moments ago, I asked Irfan about deliveries. I quote "You can post on maple leaf and all people who order they will get his orders end of this month and start of June".

If you have an event coming up and you are worried about having the suit to use for it, I would suggest emailing Irfan directly and explaining the event date. I have seen him work with people to get an order to them.

I suggested to Irfan to try to work more with a handful of stock sizes and - like the real military - have the wearer nip and tuck if they want a custom fit. We have all seen the old jokes about the Army's Two Sizes.

But in this case, you can take a stock size and add an additional 2 inches for legs - tell him the size and add "Tall" or 2 inches in the trunk by asking for the size and "Long".

You may still want to hem the leg cuffs or the sleeve.

SO... Irfan is sending me 20 made up suits to the most common sizes - L, XL, XXL, with some Talls and Longs in there to have here at my home in Pennsylvania. These are for me to sell as a sutler, so I can take mail order or take to regional East coast events I go to. Price is the same as for ordering from Irfan - US$150 +postage.

European and Asian orders need to still go directly to Irfan. Payment to Irfan as described in the order forms.

ALL Bespoke (custom orders) will still need to go to Irfan, but yes, you can have one made to fit non-standard sizes. Work directly with Irfan on such custom work. That is not in my wheel-house!

If you have already ordered your suit will be made before the batch of 20. So stay the course with Irfan on those.

I will fill new orders from this continent.

[Lew Skelton]

thanks for the update Jim

[Markwin Serlui]

Hi Jim, is there a web URL for Irfan? I tried google but keep running into image viewers..thanks!

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks for the update Jim.

[jdmcm]

PM sent Jim

[Markwin Serlui]

Originally Posted by Markwin Serlui

Hi Jim, is there a web URL for Irfan? I tried google but keep running into image viewers..thanks!

anyone have the web adress for IRFan? thnx!

[Peter Duggan]

Markwin,

Don’t have a URL for Ifran, but this is his email address
Peter

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Markwin Serlui

anyone have the web adress for IRFan? thnx!

Irfan Ali is an MLU member, see his profile for ways of contacting him:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/member.php?u=12979

HTH,
Hanno

[Jim Burrill]

Hi Folks,

I received a batch of 20 suits from Irfan a couple of weeks ago and finally had time to check through them.

The intent is to pre-stage some common sizes here in the US so it woudl be cheaper on the postage for folks ordering from the US and Canada.

Cost is US $150 plus $15 Postage (If it is more, I will let you know)

The attachment shows photos of me in t-shirt and jeans (baseline) and then with a Large and an extra Large on.

Also provided is my measurements taken by a professional tailor. You can judge for your self how it fits me, and your own size.

You should know that irfan is selling to Jerry Lee's What Price Glory store and he has added a markup. Can't complain... he is a business... But if you order from Iran and I send it to you, you will get it cheaper.

Jerry will swap suits if you have fit issues. So will Irfan and me. If a suit needs to be swapped, then we are both eating the postage costs. - you to send me the bad suit, and me to send you a second suit.

I have 20 suits here - Large, Large Long, XL, XL Long, XXXL, and a single XXXXL.

Payment - send me a Paypal for US $165 and that should cover the postage and materials as well. If it is short significantly, I will contact you to adjust and confirm. That is for the cheapest, slowest method. Extra if you need FedX or overnight. usual stuff....

Paypal is "renactr2@aol.com"

If I am out of your size, we fall back to ordering from Irfan. If these fly off the shelf, then I expect irfan will send me another batch.

Sorry this is all a bit of a dog's breakfast... I am not really in the business as a vedor.

[Robert Bergeron]

Hi Jim . I ordered a XL from Irfan a long while ago ( 19 Dec 17 ) . Is he behind in his deliveries ? Cheers . Bob