Just realised that the SS NCO uniform i'm putting together will need to have tresse round the collar, do you guys have any picture references of your own uniforms of the best way to sew the tresse on, its an m40 tunic, i just dont want to make a hash of it.
all help advice very very welcome 
Cheers Phil
There are two types of Tresse - silver and the later subdued grey. Get the silver stuff for an impression that works for the whole war.
The best way not to make a hash of it is to get a tailor to do it. My guy did tresse, 2 collar tabs and a cuff title for £11. Just one evening pricking your thumb with a needle and swearing a lot will convince you that it's £11 well spent.
Unless your local tailor is an Auschwitz survivor it's unlikely to cause offence. I tell them that it's a theatrical costume and politely ask if they would mind working on it. Never had anyone refuse yet.
The best advice I can give is don't go for an NCO, then you don't have to bother! 
The best advice I can give is don't go for an NCO, then you don't have to bother!
Hehe, i had a spare set of NCO tabs!
For those of you that do stitch, whats the best colour thread to use, and also the most authentic sewing style?
Best advice - use a sewing machine. Ours is broken, and stitching it by hand was a bitch. White thread, I would say.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
If I had to do it myself I'd use fabric glue. Sewing them will drive you mental.
Glue is NOT an option, looks like its just going to be down to good old blood sweat and tears, and a laod of swearing 
Also would you say white thread for all insignia or just the tresse?
If I had to do it myself I'd use fabric glue. Sewing them will drive you mental.
nah piece o cake, just need to make sure needle is upto it.
Glue is NOT an option, looks like its just going to be down to good old blood sweat and tears, and a laod of swearing
Good for you mate. Although the words "glutton" and "punishment" spring to mind.
White for the Tresse, black for everything else, surely?
Plus a needle.
Plus a new cat after you've kicked the old one once too often.
Glue is NOT an option, looks like its just going to be down to good old blood sweat and tears, and a laod of swearing
White for the Tresse, black for everything else, surely?
Plus a needle.
Plus a new cat after you've kicked the old one once too often.
Very good!
Re the tresse, stick it down with copydex , and then sew it up if you must , hardest part is going round the cornerd, you need ot work out how ot do it before you start.
As Helga says though , half hour job at best .
hardest part is going round the corner
The bloke who did mine cut 'n' tucked at the corners, so the Tresse is actually sewn on in three parts. Dunno if that's how it should be done but it looks very neat.
Thats how I do it, cut it, fold ends/corners and pin, then shove it through the sewing machine. Jobs a gud un
Office russian braid however is more of an arse, cos you have to unpick the collar to fit it in which is tedious
Been doing a few of these so becoming a dab hand 
NOT. The easiset way is with a machine. Starting at one end allow your self a little extra to go from the top of the collar to the bottom, where your collar tab will be placed. Mark the length then go all the way around the base of the collar pinning it as you go. Once its done you'll have enough at one end for the vertical and the other should have plenty left on anyway.
With your sewing machine keep the collar and tresse pulled tight and your figers as close to the needele as you dare. This stops the tresse from slipping which can be a real pain in the arse to begin with. Once you've gone all the way around fold the verticals upwards and pin. Now sew them. I always add a couple of hand stitches to the top of each end as they will fray. It can all be done in one piece. The Polish made NCO tunic I have did it that way so I just copied.
Soulder boards are a whole different story and if you can get them with the tresse already on I'd advise it.
The trick is to keep the collar tight so it doesn't concertina when finished but not too tight that it makes your collar stand up. As for thread I use invisible type in the top of the machine and black underneath.
Saying all that for £11.00 you real would save yourself a whole lot of work. Below is one I did last night.
