My first foray

[Mrs. V]

This is what made me the crazy woman I am today...6 years ago, my son was invited to be a part of the Ohio Chautaqua presentation on the Civil War. They had entertainment before the speakers every night. So, I thought it would be cool to make a Union Frock and trousers. Little did I know the swearing I was in for. I used a historical pattern. Whose instructions were clear as mud. I bet I put those back pleats in 10 times, before I said to heck with it, eyeballed em, and set them in.

The buttons are from my Fathers military uniform. Made by the same folks who made the buttons back then. How cool is that? My son knew trim color, and I had braid that could be dyed. And so, a uniform was born!

You would never know that my son had never done a solo presentation before this event. He learned all his music by ear, and memorized it. He was such a hit that when Lincoln took the stage, he was asked to act as honor guard.

Oh, and for you musicians, that is a Snow violin. And he picked up the mandolin..

 

[Rebforever]

Have you heard of a Pique violin?

https://bishopstrings.com/instrument/violin-francois-pique-paris-1790/

 

[LoriAnn]

How cool is that?

This whole story is beyond cool! Both you and your son are very talented. I like your type of crazy.

What a great photo too!

 

[Rebforever]

Very nice. excellent job on the Uniform. Beautiful Violine.

http://www.audubonstrings.com/SNOW-Advance-Violin-PV800

 

[amweiner]

That is a triple scoop of awesomeness with awesome sprinkles on top! Seriously, amazing work and both you and your son should be really proud!

 

[Mrs. V]

Have you heard of a Pique violin?

https://bishopstrings.com/instrument/violin-francois-pique-paris-1790/

A bit spendy for us! When it came time to buy the full size violin, he played every one in the store. He liked the Snow, as it has a clear tone.

 

[Mrs. V]

Very nice. excellent job on the Uniform. Beautiful Violine.

http://www.audubonstrings.com/SNOW-Advance-Violin-PV800

Thanks. It is what got me hooked on period costuming. I applied trim by hand, and made my first hand cut and sewn button holes.

It is interesting to me that there is something about wearing a sword, even a mock one, that causes a person to stand in a particular way. He does, every tome he is in uniform.

 

[Mrs. V]

That is a triple scoop of awesomeness with awesome sprinkles on top! Seriously, amazing work and both you and your son should be really proud!

Thank you. He wears it well. This was the first time I encountered sleves with darts at the elbow, and in top/ bottom pieces.

All I can say is that it was a good thing I started the outfit months in advance!

 

[Mrs. V]

This whole story is beyond cool! Both you and your son are very talented. I like your type of crazy.

What a great photo too!

Thank you! It was a good thing I had no idea that as an amateur seamstress, I should not have been able to construct both our outfits. Ignorance is bliss!

 

[LoriAnn]

Thank you! It was a good thing I had no idea that as an amateur seamstress, I should not have been able to construct both our outfits. Ignorance is bliss!

Best to jump in armed with mostly enthusiasm and determination.

I notice that if I think about things too much, I tend to talk myself out of a great deal.

 

[Rebforever]

A bit spendy for us! When it came time to buy the full size violin, he played every one in the store. He liked the Snow, as it has a clear tone.

That is an excellent idea. I play country music and if I am interested in another guitar and such, tell the salesmen to keep handing the model I picked until I get the sound and tone I want. There are other excellent Violins besides the Stradivari.

 

[Mrs. V]

Best to jump in armed with mostly enthusiasm and determination.

I notice that if I think about things too much, I tend to talk myself out of a great deal.

Yes, I tend to over think as well. I have learned that no one sees the little flaws in your sewing. You know they are there, but to the average person, they are invisible. I try to be as accurate as possible with fabric and pattern. However, just like the women of the day, sometimes I have to come up with " creative solutions".

 

[Mrs. V]

That is an excellent idea. I play country music and if I am interested in another guitar and such, tell the salesmen to keep handing the model I picked until I get the sound and tone I want. There are other excellent Violins besides the Stradivari.

Yes, so much this! If you are not in love with the sound and feel of your instrument, you will not be motivated to play it. I have a classic guitar that was given to me. I love the tone, but not the size. I am going to take lessons, as soon as I am mobile again. ( foot that was broken in March needed surgery to fix). Which reminds me..where did I put that civil war songbook...

 

[LoriAnn]

However, just like the women of the day, sometimes I have to come up with " creative solutions".

In the yarny community, we call those, "design features".

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

View attachment 144918
This is what made me the crazy woman I am today...6 years ago, my son was invited to be a part of the Ohio Chautaqua presentation on the Civil War. They had entertainment before the speakers every night. So, I thought it would be cool to make a Union Frock and trousers. Little did I know the swearing I was in for. I used a historical pattern. Whose instructions were clear as mud. I bet I put those back pleats in 10 times, before I said to heck with it, eyeballed em, and set them in.

The buttons are from my Fathers military uniform. Made by the same folks who made the buttons back then. How cool is that? My son knew trim color, and I had braid that could be dyed. And so, a uniform was born!

You would never know that my son had never done a solo presentation before this event. He learned all his music by ear, and memorized it. He was such a hit that when Lincoln took the stage, he was asked to act as honor guard.

Oh, and for you musicians, that is a Snow violin. And he picked up the mandolin..

Best photo to hit Ladies Tea this year, thanks so much for sharing! Sorry to have missed it Saturday, we're a little busy here but better late than never. @ami is another mother who believes in music lessons and has boys involved in reenacting. I'm forever trying to fathom how all of you stay so faithful to the era and take children along for a wonderful time! This helps explain it.

Tone deaf, couldn't carry a tune on a stretcher, 4 years of piano just got the teacher closer to retirement, so watching those who can is like watching one of the World's Great Mysteries. Thanks for sharing your family's dual achievements!

 

[bdtex]

This is what made me the crazy woman I am today...

Welcome to our obsession. Great story. Keeping history alive. Trying to do that with my family without much success. I probably need to revise tactics.

 

[WJC]

View attachment 144918
This is what made me the crazy woman I am today...6 years ago, my son was invited to be a part of the Ohio Chautaqua presentation on the Civil War. They had entertainment before the speakers every night. So, I thought it would be cool to make a Union Frock and trousers. Little did I know the swearing I was in for. I used a historical pattern. Whose instructions were clear as mud. I bet I put those back pleats in 10 times, before I said to heck with it, eyeballed em, and set them in.

The buttons are from my Fathers military uniform. Made by the same folks who made the buttons back then. How cool is that? My son knew trim color, and I had braid that could be dyed. And so, a uniform was born!

You would never know that my son had never done a solo presentation before this event. He learned all his music by ear, and memorized it. He was such a hit that when Lincoln took the stage, he was asked to act as honor guard.

Oh, and for you musicians, that is a Snow violin. And he picked up the mandolin..

Thanks for posting.
Each of us comes to this obsession in a different way....

 

[AshleyMel]

I used a historical pattern. Whose instructions were clear as mud.

Ugh!

 

[Eleanor Rose]

View attachment 144918
This is what made me the crazy woman I am today...6 years ago, my son was invited to be a part of the Ohio Chautaqua presentation on the Civil War. They had entertainment before the speakers every night. So, I thought it would be cool to make a Union Frock and trousers. Little did I know the swearing I was in for. I used a historical pattern. Whose instructions were clear as mud. I bet I put those back pleats in 10 times, before I said to heck with it, eyeballed em, and set them in.

The buttons are from my Fathers military uniform. Made by the same folks who made the buttons back then. How cool is that? My son knew trim color, and I had braid that could be dyed. And so, a uniform was born!

You would never know that my son had never done a solo presentation before this event. He learned all his music by ear, and memorized it. He was such a hit that when Lincoln took the stage, he was asked to act as honor guard.

Oh, and for you musicians, that is a Snow violin. And he picked up the mandolin..

How in the world did I miss seeing this earlier??? Beautiful picture and such a sweet story! I'm so glad you're posting in CWT. I have enjoyed your earlier threads and posts in The Ladies Tea also.

 

[MaryDee]

I'm curious to know which historical pattern you used. There is one company we reenactor-seamstresses have learned to avoid for its vague instructions (Past Patterns), but as far as I know they only have women's wear.

Now if there were only sound to go with the beautiful photo!