Getting Involved

[Belle Montgomery]

That's awesome!! I'm so jealous lol

How wonderful for you and your daughter! I'm jealous too!

 

[kasey00]

Developing a little...her birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and since 14 year olds are hard to buy for anyway, I think I'm going to surprise her by taking her to our friends' house to get measurements. This means I probably need to find a pattern soon. Haha! If we can be ready by August, we're planning on going to Gettysburg for the Music Muster - would this be an event where it would be appropriate for her to enjoy the music in era clothing (providing it's accurately portrayed?)

 

[kasey00]

Eek! I've been looking for dress patterns online...and a lot of what I'm finding seems to skip from a youth 14 to a ladies size 6. My daughter is very petite (though still growing) and closer to being around a 16-0/2. I know absolutely zero about making clothes/patterns. Can patterns be easily adaptable for a smaller fit? In other words if I get one that should work for a size 6, with a good seamstress could she make it work for a littler person? I guess if I think about it, the patterns that start at 6 seem to cover a really wide range of sizes, so that's probably a really stupid question. haha!

 

[Equestriangirl93]

Eek! I've been looking for dress patterns online...and a lot of what I'm finding seems to skip from a youth 14 to a ladies size 6. My daughter is very petite (though still growing) and closer to being around a 16-0/2. I know absolutely zero about making clothes/patterns. Can patterns be easily adaptable for a smaller fit? In other words if I get one that should work for a size 6, with a good seamstress could she make it work for a littler person? I guess if I think about it, the patterns that start at 6 seem to cover a really wide range of sizes, so that's probably a really stupid question. haha!

I would ask a seamstress about which pattern to buy. As long as you have your daughter's correct measurements, then you're definitely going in the right direction. Measurements are the most important thing when having clothes made. I just got measured for a side saddle apron on Friday. The correct waist and length measurements are very important. You don't want to spend a lot of money on getting the garment(s) altered afterwards. I don't think patterns come in different sizes (other than ladies, child's, men's) like clothing does, but I could be wrong.

Also, if it's a vintage pattern then a size 6 would most likely be a lot smaller than a modern day size 6. So, it might be about a size 0/2 in modern era clothing.

My measurements are 34C bust, 25 waist and 36 hips. It was difficult for me to find a side saddle jacket in my size....so vintage was the way to go for me. The jacket I bought fits me perfect everywhere except for the waist (it's still too big) but I'll just bring it to a tailor. My 1860s side saddle habit I had custom made. The seamstress purchased an 1880s pattern on Amazon and modified the garment to what I wanted. I supplied her with a few pictures of 1860s era habits and she used them as a model along with the pattern.

 

[kasey00]

And hoops...from what I'm reading it really depended on your socio-economic status, how big the hoop was (which makes complete sense)...what is a good source (and reasonably priced) for hoops (assuming we want to be as authentic as possible!)

 

[WJC]

Welcome! It is great to hear that a young person like your daughter wants to get involved with ACW reenacting! I hope both she and you join in our discussions: as you can see, its an open, welcoming group. Enjoy!

 

[mtn mary sings]

welcome from West Virginia- i have a young niece who is also excited to take part in an upcoming event- Corrick's Ford in July. She is learning from her Daddy about the different things that people did. Trying to adapt that to a little girl is interesting- being a highly imaginative youngster- she thinks she would be a courier named the Little Fox* asking if she could have a fox tail too. lol--- i suggested to Dad that he tell her- that unit was not in this particular campaign lol.... good luck with your daughter exploring and developing her own persona.