My first foray

[canadianconfederate]

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..

Wow! What a nice story... thank you for sharing! Every time I visit this site I'm amazed at how cool some of the people are who post on here. I've never met anyone who shares my affinity for Civil War history... learning to play the music, sewing costumes for my kids, participating in a reenactment.... the stuff my dreams are made of!!! How I do wish there were some of you guys up here lol

 

[Nathanb1]

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!

Don't feel bad. I quit piano lessons so I could play basketball in the afternoons between my last class and the bus. You HAVE seen me in the WNBA, right? (I think my teacher retired, as well).

 

[canadianconfederate]

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!

There are reenactor-seamstresses? I had no idea! This changes everything!

Would you mind posting a link to a site where I could find patterns... or perhaps order a reenactors costume? I'd love to have an authentic experience if we ever make it to Gettysburg.

Once again, the depth of knowledge and level of CW interest I've found on this forum has blown my mind.

 

[Jackson'sArm]

great story and GREAT photo!

 

[MaryDee]

Well, most of us female reenactors are forced to sew our own clothing! It's just too expensive otherwise! By starting with the underpinnings (where crooked and missing stitches don't show ) and finally graduating to the dress, it's not too hard, just time-consuming.

Try Elizabeth Stewart Clark's Sewing Academy website and her book, The Dressmaker's Guide: 1840-1865. It will give you excellent pattern advice along with detailed sewing instructions for making a Civil War era wardrobe using original techniques,, including all the underpinnings. It also has great instructions on making your own patterns (I haven't tried that yet). A couple of other sources I use are Juanita Leisch, Who wore what? Women's Wear 1861-1865 and Eileen Trestain, Dating Fabrics. Watch for workshops in your area, too. Liz Clark does many and so do Carolann Schmidt and Kay Gnagy, among others. For ready-made wear, "Originals by Kay" (Kay Gnagy) is a good place for authentic women's wear--but it is expensive!

There are of course plenty of original sources, such as Godey's and Peterson's magazines and various 19th century sewing manuals that are available as reprints. It's important to spend lots of time studying originals, which we can easily do thanks to online photo collections like the Library of Congress.

 

[Waterloo50]

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..

You my dear Mrs V are one heck of a great mum.

 

[canadianconfederate]

Well, most of us female reenactors are forced to sew our own clothing! It's just too expensive otherwise! By starting with the underpinnings (where crooked and missing stitches don't show ) and finally graduating to the dress, it's not too hard, just time-consuming.

Try Elizabeth Stewart Clark's Sewing Academy website and her book, The Dressmaker's Guide: 1840-1865. It will give you excellent pattern advice along with detailed sewing instructions for making a Civil War era wardrobe using original techniques,, including all the underpinnings. It also has great instructions on making your own patterns (I haven't tried that yet). A couple of other sources I use are Juanita Leisch, Who wore what? Women's Wear 1861-1865 and Eileen Trestain, Dating Fabrics. Watch for workshops in your area, too. Liz Clark does many and so do Carolann Schmidt and Kay Gnagy, among others. For ready-made wear, "Originals by Kay" (Kay Gnagy) is a good place for authentic women's wear--but it is expensive!

There are of course plenty of original sources, such as Godey's and Peterson's magazines and various 19th century sewing manuals that are available as reprints. It's important to spend lots of time studying originals, which we can easily do thanks to online photo collections like the Library of Congress.

Thank you so much. I will definitely be checking these out!

 

[Mrs. V]

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!

Making History is the pattern name. By Butterick. I think the more history you know, the better you can modify the pattern if you need to do so. I have used the Wisconsin Historical society as well. I am sort of a seat of the pants seamstress.

 

[WJC]

View attachment 144918You 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.
And he picked up the mandolin....

What a talent! and such confidence!

 

[Mrs. V]

What a talent! and such confidence!

He really made an impression. I loved the lake gull feather stuck in his kepi.
There were a number of attendees who wanted to know why the organizers only had him play once. I guess the organizers underestimated how much history buffs appreciate a lone fiddle player.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Thank you so much. I will definitely be checking these out!

I'm not a reenactor and while not singing, playing violin or piano I can be found fleeing from sewing machines but Demorest's magazine of the era sold patterns included in their magazines. It was one of their sales pitches-since the couple did not patent the brilliant idea, Butterwick scooped it up. I see there are butchered parts, sleeves, bodices, collars, etc., like a Build-A-Dress.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc2.ark:/13960/t81k25704;view=1up;seq=7
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/012410497?type[]=all&lookfor[]=demorest&ft=

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Don't feel bad. I quit piano lessons so I could play basketball in the afternoons between my last class and the bus. You HAVE seen me in the WNBA, right? (I think my teacher retired, as well).

That was you? Knew the 6'9" thing was a disguise. Boy, you Texans can rope, ride, and fly? And keep the brain trusts supplied. No snark here, I'm the one behind the petition to move all of DC to the Alamo. ( It's not modern politics if it's a 30 year old petition )

 

[donna]

Just seeing this. Wonderful story and photo.

Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[Mrs. V]

I'm not a reenactor and while not singing, playing violin or piano I can be found fleeing from sewing machines but Demorest's magazine of the era sold patterns included in their magazines. It was one of their sales pitches-since the couple did not patent the brilliant idea, Butterwick scooped it up. I see there are butchered parts, sleeves, bodices, collars, etc., like a Build-A-Dress.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc2.ark:/13960/t81k25704;view=1up;seq=7
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/012410497?type[]=all&lookfor[]=demorest&ft=

Ok, I totally bookmarked that page!

 

[Rebforever]

Just to keep things here even and on the up and up, the instrument shown is called a fiddle, down heah!
I am working on my 5 string banjer clawhammer method that needs some timing from a good fiddler.
But I just don't know how things would work out because of the Blue-Gray thingy!!
Might be a tune clash!

 

[alan polk]

Just to keep things here even and on the up and up, the instrument shown is called a fiddle, down heah!
I am working on my 5 string banjer clawhammer method that needs some timing from a good fiddler.
But I just don't know how things would work out because of the Blue-Gray thingy!!
Might be a tune clash!

I agree. I can see from the picture too that it has "strangs" on it. If, on the other hand, it had "strings," I'd go to calling it a violin!

 

[Rebforever]

I agree. I can see from the picture too that it has "strangs" on it. If, on the other hand, it had "strings," I'd go to calling it a violin!

You makin' fun of owha dowerlike?

 

[canadianconfederate]

I'm not a reenactor and while not singing, playing violin or piano I can be found fleeing from sewing machines but Demorest's magazine of the era sold patterns included in their magazines. It was one of their sales pitches-since the couple did not patent the brilliant idea, Butterwick scooped it up. I see there are butchered parts, sleeves, bodices, collars, etc., like a Build-A-Dress.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc2.ark:/13960/t81k25704;view=1up;seq=7
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/012410497?type[]=all&lookfor[]=demorest&ft=

Nice. Thank you!

 

[Patrick H]

You seem to have created a minor sensation here! That's great!

 

[18thVirginia]

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!

Lovely photo to start the thread. Kudos to you for jumping in and sewing, especially garments that someone actually wears in public. I like to sew pillows and quilts, even once managed slipcovers, but clothes are scary things to work on.

Looks like a great job!