Help me convince my hubby!!!! - Page 4

cpl_lewis · #31 04-15-2006, 08:48 PM

jemalm7 was who we got my dress from but there is another my mom got one from which would be gym307

tinecailine · #32 05-22-2006, 06:18 PM

HC'c lady,
I have read over the relpies to the question you posted and would like to add a bit if it's not too late or bothersome. I like Miss Amy am a firefighter and am a paramedic so I definately agree with any safety issue. As a reenactor I doo the cooking for an artillery group so I don't own too many nicer things. My main point of contention (if you will) are underthings. I just returned home from New Market and entirely too many of the lady's were not corseted and looked awful!! Some women can get away from the 'torture' but most cannot. The female form of the 1860's is ruined if a corset is not worn. I hope not to offend anyone; it is my opinion but oh well. Anyway, good luck on your continuing march in the CW era; it never ends and can be quite fun.

bama_belle · #33 05-24-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinecailine

HC'c lady,
I have read over the relpies to the question you posted and would like to add a bit if it's not too late or bothersome. I like Miss Amy am a firefighter and am a paramedic so I definately agree with any safety issue. As a reenactor I doo the cooking for an artillery group so I don't own too many nicer things. My main point of contention (if you will) are underthings. I just returned home from New Market and entirely too many of the lady's were not corseted and looked awful!! Some women can get away from the 'torture' but most cannot. The female form of the 1860's is ruined if a corset is not worn. I hope not to offend anyone; it is my opinion but oh well. Anyway, good luck on your continuing march in the CW era; it never ends and can be quite fun.

So, did the ladies back then truly wear a corset under their work clothes? I'm asking seriously. I just cannot imagine trying to cook over a campfire (or any other type of work for that matter) with that thing on.

jenna · #34 05-25-2006, 11:07 AM

Yes, but they were more flexable. They were called work stayes, and had little to no boning in them, and had straps similar to a tank top. It was still form fitting, and had gussets and ties on the back, but was more flexable to move in. A very good friend of mine made one and she loves it. It still gives the shape, but is very easy to cook and clean camp up in.

Jenna

bama_belle · #35 05-25-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenna

Yes, but they were more flexable. They were called work stayes, and had little to no boning in them, and had straps similar to a tank top. It was still form fitting, and had gussets and ties on the back, but was more flexable to move in. A very good friend of mine made one and she loves it. It still gives the shape, but is very easy to cook and clean camp up in.

Jenna

Well, that's what I've got to find a pattern for then.. or someone who makes them because me without unmentionables.. modern or period.. in a public place is most likely to get me strung up or run out of town. :0 :0

I actually started with a day dress first and have recently added work a work dress to my wardrobe (still new at all this) an the thought of wearing that corset under that work dress to cook and such in is something I am definitely dreading.

Miss Amy · #36 05-27-2006, 06:19 PM

OK - I am going to try again, I had a nice long reply for you and it went ... somewhere.

So - briefly -

Spend time at Elizabeth Stweart Clarks website - there is ooddles and ooddles of corest info there, if it is a bit hard to gather up and sort through. I could not have made my corset without the help there.

I started trying to make stays - and found the commonly availabe patterns fit "young ladies" - not my curves. So after a year of frustration, I followed some recommendations and got a different pattern - and within 4 tries had something wearable and comfortable too.

You can readily make a corest with less boning and add cording to gain flexibility and movement.

I have been told - but have not tried to, yet - you can sing, touch your toes, and ride a horse in a properly fitted/laced corset. I can now believe these thingsto be true.

I recently read a book about a young women who got her 1st corset from the local seamstress in a farming town. She liked it. Then she moved into a fashionalbe city, and obtained a lady's maid. She was told that in a properly tighten corset one could not see a lady breath. She compared it to being a bird gasping for breath.

So - tightening makes a huge difference.

Hope this helps. Miss Amy

Irish Confederate Rose · #37 01-15-2007, 04:52 PM

Dear HCL & others,Better late than never I guess, but I would like to offer my personal Ladies Auxilliary website that is affilliated with our 17th South Carolina Infantry unit. It is a website for Ladies, children, and gentlemen, but the emphasis is on Ladies, their clothing, their pasttimes, occupations, etc. It is a summation of many years of research, so I hope you enjoy!Please, anyone may feel free to have a look around! It has tons of pictures, CDVs, and graphics, so allow yourself time to look around!http://12thscladiesaux.tripod.com/God & Mary Bless You,-Sarah

Mark Wadsworth · #38 05-23-2007, 02:37 PM

I say yes and no on the pretty dress. I would get a plain work dress with the under pinnings first. My reason for that is the work dress cost a whole lot less in case you hear that voice in your head say "Why the heck am I here?" and you can't come up with an answer.
Then when you know that your enjoying your self and want to pretty look, go and get your self that fancy gawn and dress to the nines.
The dress maker I would use is the "Civil War Lady". Her dresses cost a little more, but they are worth the extra money. I am trying to talk her in to making a secission dress for my neice.

Tonnie · #39 01-02-2008, 03:11 PM

I've been a re-enactor for going on 25 years and I love "pretty dresses" too although there is a time and a place for them. In the morning when you wake up you wear your camp dress with an apron over it (no corset) to cook over the campfire in. The after the boys get their breakfast, we change into our day dress (covered shoulders, cotton, and a wide brimmed hat to keep off the sun) to go sutlering in or visitin' or even early courtin' if a soldier should lend you an arm. Then in the evening we either change dresses into our ball gown or barn dance dress with gloves and a feathered hat and enjoy our "Gone With The Wind" time.

If you are not one to change clothes so many times. Get a day dress with pagoda sleeves and a swooping neckline that you can wear a garibaldi shirt under during the day (or half sleeves and a jacket..."no shoin yur boosums befoe 6 o'clock Ms Scarlet) . You can lay off the hoop skirt and donn an apron, then remove the apron after breakfast and donn a corset, a hoop, and wide brimmed hat, then in the evening remove the garibaldi shirt, or jacket and half-sleeves and donn a feather hat and curls for the evening. Same dress, 3 uses. I have a red one for this occasion that I absolutely adore. The only thing I can caution you on as far as dresses is: please avoid silk or satin during the day at all times. This is a material meant for evening wear only...unless you are protraying a "lady of the evening" that is for which it is perfectly acceptable

P.S. You may already know this but please do not use eyelit lace on anything dress wise. It is reserved for underware use only and many-a fair lady would give a second glance.

-Tonnie

southern_belle1861 · #40 01-04-2008, 08:38 PM

Actually, from what I've seen and found, modern eyelet lace isn't correct. The type of "eyelet" lace they had was much different than the store bought, usually poly-cotton/poly/rayon "lace".

Here is a petticoat from the 1850's that shows correct broderie anglaise (the term used in the period): http://www.corsetsandcrinolines.com/...hooppetti4.jpg

Thats all sewn by hand.

Here is a thread on another forum explaining it better: eyelet petticoat

hope this helps!