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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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