1860's Here We Come

Yesterday I gave you all a sneak preview

of the 1860's Civil War Era Dress I made.

Tonight I will share close up pics

Final Fitting and Photo Shoot

Before we begin I have something dear to share.

As I sat and sewed, countless memories would fog my mind.
Flash backs, over and over of previous sewing projects.

A lot of time was spent wiping away the tears

Memories Of
Sewing doll clothes using Mom's Singer treadle machine
My sisters High School skort so she would get a passing grade
All the costumes for the drama club

Baby gowns for my first born...
they were never used, packed away in a special place,
a piece of my heart was lost the day he died.

My daughters First Communion dress
and later her Prom dress
Sister in law's wedding dress, so many tucks.

Daisy Kingdom dresses for the grand girls
 Vintage style clothing for the cabin.

My ambition to be a clothes designer...
Not an Accountant

 Years of precious memories stitched into this

1860's Commemorative Dress 

I will wear it proudly.

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Handsome Mr B

Mr B has been so supportive of my latest project,
he loves history as much as I do,
I thank him for being a good sport and for putting up with me.

He looks so dashing in his duds.
I made his trousers, no zippers, button fly
black military stripes on the side.
He wanted to be neutral but I think he looks rather Northern
that is ok,  since we are from Wisconsin.

His shirt was a white linen flea market find for 1.50
took the buttons off, sewed up the front
to make it a pull over and left 3 buttons at the top.
Sewed down the collar inside the neckline to make it collarless.
Final process was to coffee dye it, looks quite vintage.
His Accessories:
Leather covered canteen
Leather Officers Haversack Map Bag
Both handmade by Mr B

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Yards and Yards of Fabric

What style of dress should I make?
Working day dress or camp dress
Better day dress
Tea dress
Ball gown
Carriage dress (traveling)
Black mourning dress (not)

I would categorize my dress as a better day dress for
receiving company or maybe even a tea dress
for afternoons sipping tea with fine ladies. 
Since it is cotton and not taffeta or silk, probably a
Better Day Dress.....


Since I am a matron lady I chose a subdued color, chocolate brown
and added fancy trims to enhance it.

Baby blue cotton fabric trim was sewn into a tube then hand gathered
and stitched to the bodice front and outline of the pagoda sleeves.
Many dresses were trimmed with just plan fabric using decorative techniques.
Lace was not a luxury, it was quite expensive.
Pleated trim as well as ruffles or flat trim  were common.

Since I was a lady with funds I chose to ad some lace.
Flat crochet lace (coffee dyed to age)
was sewn around the outside of the blue trim
and burgundy braid trim was added on the inside.

3 inch flat crochet lace (coffee dyed)
was added to the bottom of the dress along with  burgundy braid trim.
The circumference of the hemline is almost 15 feet....
10 yards of fabric.....
 The bodice is darted for a fitted look
skirt has been hand pleated.

Handmade crochet collar
black scarf (belt) with vintage brown buckle
light blue and brown under sleeves completes the dress.

 By now you should know how muck I like to play dress up
the little girl in me.....will last forever.

We are ready to step back in time.
 150th Anniversary
Wilson's Creek Battle
Southern Missouri

History
May we always  Remember.... The Sacrifice

                  Connie

Accessories~~~ Needful Items~~Civil War

Needful items are a girl's best friend

weather it be modern, primitive or Civil War Era

It is all about the accessories.....

I have been diligently researching the 1860's

Civil War Era

Finding and making all the needfuls  a lady of this era requires.

I want to share with you what I think is period correct and what

I will be using at the 150th Anniversary

reenactment of  the Wilson's Creek Battle

in Republic, Missouri

Vintage fan for keeping cool in our Southern heat.

Leather covered journal for taking notes

and recording addresses of new found friends.

Vintage loose powder compact to keep the shine off my nose

and

an "old" leather coin purse to hold my funds.

Black well worn gloves,

Black sash with brown belt buckle.

Handmade crochet lace collar purchased off Ebay

from a lady that stated her Grandmother made it for her...

How perfect, I love it.........

A black cameo pin is needed to complete this neckline,

I have one...just have to find it.

Under sleeves handmade by myself.

Under sleeves were easier to wash than the entire dress.

They were used daily for practical purposes or to

enhance your dress.

Handbag~~~Purse

Handmade by myself, tutorial will follow.

Straw Bonnet

I researched bonnets and hats till I was blue in the face,

so many styles~~all so pretty.

I needed the right look for my dress

decided a simple straw bonnet decorated with

handmade ribbon flowers 

coffee dyed crochet lace and 

coffee dyed cheese cloth  looks like fragile "old lace"

My handmade bonnet will be featured later.

The items I chose not to use were:

Corset and Corset Cover

Petticoat, however I am wearing a 3 bone hoop skirt

Pattaloons

Long stockings with garters

No parasol but would probably need one

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Handmade Mushroom Purse

designed by myself but patterned after

a vintage purse I saw in the Sauder Museum 

in Berryville, Arkansas

Using a bowl to make the round bottom

Fold bottom in half and then half again

this will aid in gathering the sides to bottom

The side or body of the bag is 1 1/2 times the

circumference of the bottom circle.

I then added 3 tucks near the bottom for interest

Next I sewed on black braid trim

I sewed the bottom to the body gathering with small tucks to fit

This gives it the mushroom style,

the bottom tuck turns into a nice ruffle bottom

Black satin was used for lining,

using same technique except no tucks in the body

The lining sewn to the bag.

Right side of bag to wrong side of lining

turn and tuck lining inside bag

Stitch through lining and bag to form casing for straps

Insert ribbon, twill rope of your choice for straps

I forgot to mention you need to leave an opening on each side seam

1" in length to form casing and to pull the rope through.

And~~~~there it is

A vintage style top drawn purse/bag

or as I call it

My Vintage Mushroom Bag

This bag is large enough to carry my camera, 

coin purse, sunglasses, small bottle of water

and a hankie for tears that will be shed.

as we honor our soldiers and celebrate history,

the battle, that is a solemn time

we must never forget what it took to keep

our country united, 

home of the free...for everyone....always.

                                    Connie

Surprise Package~~~Oh What Fun

Surprise packages are so much fun

especially when they are from someone as sweet as

Connie from Primitive Country Cabin

Connie was the Grand Prize winner of my
First year Anniversary

What a nice surprise.......

Connie sent me a lovely handmade homespun tea towel
with a hand stitched patch made from tea dyed muslin
Also
Two sweet Christmas themed handmade cards
with ribbon attached for hanging or can set in the smallest nook.

Hi Connie,
Just a little "Thank You" 
for all the wonderful items
you sent in your giveaway!
Hugs, Connie

I just love this little tea towel,
it fits perfect behind my vintage strainer with candle.

Thank You Connie
for this thoughtful surprise.
I enjoy visiting your blog,
your adventures are exciting
your stories are entertaining.
Hello to sweet little Miss Pearl

Blessings
            Connie