tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35179611793141063172024-03-27T02:38:02.196-04:00Southron CreationsMy research and ramblings on the Victorian eraHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-58573055689807040222017-09-11T20:48:00.002-04:002017-09-11T20:56:10.808-04:00Civil War Ladies' Garb in the Trans-Mississippi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT5cJ95rI5WUF-0Kf2INje-1ENRp2uH5WuEeHpmfKqKX4q3MZ9WJhRmSHV5-Jz3PyJOTb0dDsfHKGGWsLNj3R7CpCz0Krs4acVzZy7PUFj_j6be2_OHoRz0xOvaVwfrTYlAAS1Bb445KF/s1600/Title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="551" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT5cJ95rI5WUF-0Kf2INje-1ENRp2uH5WuEeHpmfKqKX4q3MZ9WJhRmSHV5-Jz3PyJOTb0dDsfHKGGWsLNj3R7CpCz0Krs4acVzZy7PUFj_j6be2_OHoRz0xOvaVwfrTYlAAS1Bb445KF/s320/Title.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
What did ladies wear in the Trans-Misssissippi area during the Civil War? <br />
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I have 20 or so direct ancestors who were Confederate soldiers. In my research, I discovered that 11 served in Texas units, 2 served from Mississippi, 3 from Alabama and 1 from Arkansas. Clearly, the Western theater was well represented in my ancestry! That made me interested in researching what their wives, daughters and sweethearts would have worn... because everyone knows that the ladies "out West" dressed differently than those "back East," right?<br />
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Well... not so fast.<br />
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When investigating the clothing of a particular region, it's always helpful to look at four things:<br />
<ul>
<li>Diaries and memoirs from people in that region</li>
<li>Photographs of people in that region</li>
<li>Original clothing from that region</li>
<li>Documentation of shipping imports and shop stock from that region</li>
</ul>
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I decided to look at these categories and blog about them. But don't worry, I also decided to break this up into several blog posts because each of these topics can be pretty big! The diaries and memoirs were the most fun for me, so I'm going to start with them. Since I'm looking specifically at war-time related fashion in the Confederacy, I decided to focus on just the Trans-Misssissippi area. I've categorized these books by Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. And yep, there are a lot more than these, but I narrowed it down to these because I didn't want my blog post to become <i>gargantuanly</i> long! (Did I just invent a word?)<br />
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So here we go...<br />
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<h2>
Mississippi</h2>
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<h3>
Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone 1861-1868</h3>
<a href="http://www.archive.org/stream/brokenburnthejou008676mbp/brokenburnthejou008676mbp_djvu.txt">The Journal of Kate Stone,</a> from Mississippi, is free online. She has a number of great sections concerning clothing and fabric. Here are some quotes to enjoy.</div>
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<i>"Mamma had several of the women from the quarter sewing. Nothing to be done in the fields too muddy. They put in and finished quilting a comfort made of two of my cashmere dresses. Mamma had Aunt Laura's silk one put in today and Sue is quilting on it.....This will be a lovely silk affair. Aunt Laura always has so many pretty silks and wears them such a little while that they are never soiled."</i> Silk and wool were obviously available and had been for some time if they had worn-out dresses of those fabrics to be used in quilts!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Later on she talks about cutting up old dresses to make clothing for the soldiers.</span> <i>"And I have not a thing that will do. We have cut up every silk and wool thing we have for the different boys."</i><br />
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When some marauders stole their goods, she made an interesting itemization. <i>"Now for a list of our losses. All the clothes left in the cart were taken by Mr. Catlin's Negroes, Uncle Bob being unable to protect them. They comprised most of our underclothes and dresses, all my fine and pretty things, laces, etc., except one silk dress, all our likenesses, and all the little family treasures that we valued greatly." </i><span style="color: purple;">In spite of the thieves' action, she apparently still had at least one silk dress left.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Of course, buying nice fabric became hard as the blockade took effect and all textile mills were working largely for the army's needs. But good fabric was still available, though expensive.</span> <i>"I must confess, on getting home, Mamma did not like a thing I bought, and most will be returned if possible and the rest kept under protest. I am a poor shopper and must have execrable taste. The $95 dress I bought Mamma is ugly. But it was the only piece of woolen goods in town, and Mamma has nothing warm for winter."</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Obviously silk and wool were not only available, but considered first choice for women's clothing. Was cotton mentioned? Yes, we find references to "calico," a type of cotton, here and there. </span><i>"This evening we rode down in a light shower to see how Mrs. McRae and Bettie were getting on, Mamma in a riding skirt of rags and tatters and I in a calico dress and the remains of my old green habit." </i><span style="color: purple;">Calico here was not a fashionable choice, but apparently worn for a dirty ride in the rain.</span><br />
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<i>"Everything has gone up in the same ratio. We expect to suffer for clothes this winter. We hear of a gentleman offering $50 for a pair of boots and then waiting for weeks to get them made. Unless we capture some Northern city well stocked, there will soon be no dry goods in the Confederacy. The ladies are raising a cry for calicoes and silks that echoes from the Potomac to the Gulf."</i> <span style="color: purple;">Apparently calico was just as hard to get as silk, thus refuting the claim that cotton was the cheap alternative to silk. She mentions later, </span><i>"There are several well-filled stores, but the prices are beyond anything.</i><br />
<i>We saw a pretty light calico but Mamma could not afford it at $6 a yard."</i><br />
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<h2>
Alabama</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1dvETNX1w9lm9sEOdXshLPpIOLS3Gm45YZ0RyuEKOnJwD2m05jdCE8DvTfPW8WfqXTIti_IgtNegYbtTc1JJEUSGqDdX0TRIpG36aSfbV_DTEC31-nJivNBJ3toBxNmpaoXYT9kJ3aLR/s1600/fannie+beers+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="465" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1dvETNX1w9lm9sEOdXshLPpIOLS3Gm45YZ0RyuEKOnJwD2m05jdCE8DvTfPW8WfqXTIti_IgtNegYbtTc1JJEUSGqDdX0TRIpG36aSfbV_DTEC31-nJivNBJ3toBxNmpaoXYT9kJ3aLR/s320/fannie+beers+book.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<h3>
Fannie Beers' Civil War</h3>
<a href="https://archive.org/details/beerswarmemories00fannrich">Fannie Beers' "Memories</a>" is another memoir of a Western woman and is also free online. She married a man from Alabama and traveled quite a bit during the war. But she eventually wound up as matron-in-charge of the Second Alabama Hospital. Her memories are fascinating.<br />
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<i>When I came through the lines I was refused permission to bring any baggage ; therefore my supply of clothing was exceedingly small. I had, however, some gold concealed about my person, and fortunately procured with it a plain wardrobe. This I had carefully treasured, but now it was rapidly diminishing. At least I must have one new dress. It was bought, a simple calico, and not of extra quality. The cost was three hundred dollars! With the exception of a plain muslin bought the following summer for three hundred and fifty dollars, it was my only indulgence in the extravagance of dress during the whole war. Two pretty gray homespuns made in Alabama were my standbys.</i><br />
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Though the cotton calico fabric was expensive, it was apparently still considered "simple" and "not of extra quality." Even her "homespuns" (which could have been cotton, wool, or a blend of the two) appeared to have been preferable. We can infer that wool and silk would still have been the favored choice.</span><br />
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<h3>
A Blockaded Family</h3>
<a href="https://archive.org/details/ablockadedfamil00hagugoog">A Blockaded Family: Life in Southern Alabama During the Civil War</a> by Parthenia Antoinette Hague is another fun reminiscence. Parthenia and her friends, like most young ladies of the 1860s, knew very little about spinning and weaving homespun fabric. The war changed all that.<br />
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<i>"While knitting around the fireside one night, talking of what we had done, and could yet accomplish, in industries called into existence by the war and blockade, we agreed then and there that each of us four could and would card and spin enough warp and woof to weave a dress apiece. This proved a herculean task for us, for at that time we barely knew how to card and spin. Mrs. G smiled incredulously, we thought, but kindly promised to have the dresses dyed and woven, in case we should card and spin them."</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The story of how they learned the intricacies of spinning thread, weaving material and then dyeing it for use (or dyeing the thread first) is very interesting and entertaining. They were quite proud of their patriotic homespun dresses!</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">However, the preferred material for dresses continued to be the old favorites, wool and silk. The stories of their efforts to produce those fabrics is also quite interesting.</span><br />
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<i>"Some very rich-appearing and serviceable winter woolen dresses were made of the wool of white and brown sheep mixed, carded, spun and woven just so; then long chains of coarser spun wool thread dyed black and red were crocheted and braided in neat designs on the skirt, sleeves, and</i><br />
<i>waist of these brown and white mixed dresses of wool."</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The need for Southern-produced wool was recognized early in the war and quickly remedied by ranchers raising more sheep and textile mills working the wool into fabric. The Austin (Texas) State Gazatte noted on May 25, 1864 that, "Great enterprise is being shown in the erection of powder mills, cotton and woolen factories, &c. To employ the latter there has been secured, on Government account in Texas, one million pounds of wool."</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">But wool fabric was also produced in homes for personal use.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC0fZBa-folJeXwVdwe_bwhIUCEd0h3B3vdbR4ue2jh0LR3rLw57d4aTfIAgxuG2CBChAJMe13hQBD6kwgVv6jYuKQRqsU-eGuT3tTLmfWPRMPZEMpep2lqllAjRKUynNWw1bPXiZDbz5/s1600/AL+Homespun+Dress+ALHeritage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC0fZBa-folJeXwVdwe_bwhIUCEd0h3B3vdbR4ue2jh0LR3rLw57d4aTfIAgxuG2CBChAJMe13hQBD6kwgVv6jYuKQRqsU-eGuT3tTLmfWPRMPZEMpep2lqllAjRKUynNWw1bPXiZDbz5/s400/AL+Homespun+Dress+ALHeritage.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Alabama homespun dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>"Many of the planters in southern Alabama began to grow wool on quite a large scale, as the war went on and no woolen goods could be had. All the woolen material that could be manufactured at the cotton mills was used to clothe our soldiers so that all the varied kinds of woolen goods that hitherto had been used with us had now to be of home hand-made. In this we achieved entire success. All kinds of woolen goods - flannels both colored and white, plaids of bright colors, which we thought equal to the famed Scotch plaids; balmorals, which were then in fashion - were woven, with grave or gay borders as suited our fancy."</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Imported silk was not always easy to get but all ladies of the Victorian era knew how to save and reuse old dresses. Here's a really engaging account of how one lady did it.</span></div>
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<i>"A woman who was a neighbor of ours made herself what really was an elegant dress for the times. The material was an old and well-worn black silk dress, altogether past renovating, and fine white lint cotton. The silk was all ripped up, and cut into narrow strips, which were all raveled and then mixed with the lint cotton and passed through the cotton cards two or three times, so as to have the mixture homogeneous. It was then carded and spun very fine, great pains being taken in the spinning to have no unevenness in the threads. Our neighbor managed to get for the warp of her mixed silk and cotton dress a bunch of number twelve thread, from cotton mills in Columbus, Georgia, fifty miles from our settlement, and generally a three days' trip. She dyed the thread, which was very fine and smooth, with the barks of the sweet-gum and maple trees, which made a beautiful gray. Woven into cloth, it was soft and silky to the touch, and of a beautiful color. It was corded with the best pieces of the </i><i>worn silk, and trimmed with pasteboard buttons covered with some of the same silk."</i></div>
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<h2>
Louisiana</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaDoqvh2LwXmn0PYTUHHxDR8PaThyphenhyphen_SQmXdlyX4pS3bbJNeIcsSfL2lqDwwCZvjAYqSQ5pSyOe6ZNz4zHBVrnWSb7WHgXJ3nyUxgIqLHz4eYTs3lJiIBt4P2EmOnfP0JGWOLtIJxc1cZs/s1600/Celine+Fremaux+Garcia+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaDoqvh2LwXmn0PYTUHHxDR8PaThyphenhyphen_SQmXdlyX4pS3bbJNeIcsSfL2lqDwwCZvjAYqSQ5pSyOe6ZNz4zHBVrnWSb7WHgXJ3nyUxgIqLHz4eYTs3lJiIBt4P2EmOnfP0JGWOLtIJxc1cZs/s1600/Celine+Fremaux+Garcia+book.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
Celine</h3>
<a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Celine.html?id=Pk2p1i4zhegC&source=kp_cover">Celine: Remembering Louisiana 1850-1871</a> is an engrossing read but be prepared to flinch at her descriptions of life as refugees in the war. In addition to life-threatening concerns such as avoiding battling soldiers and finding enough food to eat (not to mention shelter), Celine also addresses their struggles with clothing. Nice clothing was still available for many, as evidenced by this comment.<br />
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<i>"Later some of the neighbors called – Mrs. Wiley, Mrs. Cross, Miss Perry, etc. All were pretty women and were dressed in silk dresses protected by aprons, small, fancy aprons. Grown people’s nice clothes lasted pretty well the four years. With children it was different, we grew out of them."</i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">But this heartbreaking description not only shows how hard it was to dress well, but also what they felt were absolute necessities for dress - things like silk dresses and coverings for their heads. </span></div>
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<i>"In jumping out of the wagon my dress caught on a splinter and was badly torn. It was a black silk of Grandma’s trimmed in narrow strips of blue, the leavings of the blue stripes which had been inserted in the Creole Guard’s flag to change it after the secession. The old dress had done its time and more, but I felt very sore on walking down the cabin of the boat with my clothes in tatters.</i></div>
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<i>"There were on board several ladies and a young girl of my age. They were all very well dressed. I felt awfully poor and 'backwood' in their presence. Although we had never thought of our attire in Jackson where everybody looked the worse for wear it came on me like a thousand stings; the figure we must have cut to people who had not suffered want or had had time and opportunity to recuperate. As we walked in the boat here is our picture or description. Ma wore a grey, glazed cambric dress with trimming bands of Persian design calico and a new bonnet she had just had sent from Baton Rouge. The bonnet was green straw trimmed in green moire ribbon. She had on a beautiful lace mantle fastened on the shoulders with gold pins. Those kind of garments, not being worn during the war, were nice and fresh as when she wore them last in 1861. Her shoes fitted her well. They were of brown velvet with leather soles of the top of a Yankee knapsack. </i></div>
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<i>"Sister and I had on those black and blue silk dresses, at least four or five inches too short, and mine in tatters. Sister had no shoes on at all. Mine were heavy ones 'Uncle' Tom had made. My stockings were homespun, home knitted ones, more or less soiled by the dust and grime of our fifteen mile drive. Our hats? Well, they had been of pearl grey straw at Easter of 1861 and had had dainty pink sprays of arbutus as decorations, but the rims had become so nipped. They had gotten so sunburned that they were of a mottled, faded, orange hue. I had cut the rim down and bound them with faded Scotch plaid ribbon and an apology of rosette of the same ribbon ornamented the crown. They were simply better then being bare headed, that was all."</i></div>
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<h2>
Texas</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6b5Jj6kvhvrrIRk5FAgcnoXMr637L50QjPc-6J3Ze5nGyi7c-V1K6qv1K0IVMutzY4qNeceHWql_v_pUl7P0zzeb0dEEsvQ5aWRB2Xh1QhelZAC6bjoI5et2hGbBXG3zY7kejRWTeppt/s1600/Elizabeth+Scott+Neblett+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6b5Jj6kvhvrrIRk5FAgcnoXMr637L50QjPc-6J3Ze5nGyi7c-V1K6qv1K0IVMutzY4qNeceHWql_v_pUl7P0zzeb0dEEsvQ5aWRB2Xh1QhelZAC6bjoI5et2hGbBXG3zY7kejRWTeppt/s320/Elizabeth+Scott+Neblett+book.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
<h3>
A Rebel Wife in Texas</h3>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;">A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett 1852-1864</span></div>
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A native Texan, Elizabeth's letters give us a detailed and informative look at life for Texas women in wartime. <br />
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<span style="color: purple;">As these prices show, cotton calico was not the cheapest option available. Homespun wool fabric was apparently even cheaper. </span><i>"I wish you had got me a calico dress like Oliver got for Mrs O, gave $50 tis good calico & dark enough. He sent it by Warren. I have no hopes now of getting a dress. Dr Kerr has calico in town selling for $10 per yard, but I live in the woods where no body will see me, & if I can only get my home spun wool I’ll be fixed. In haste. yours affectionately, Lizzie."</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Fashionable standards for clothing and manners were apparently still considered necessary by many Texas women, including this women of ill repute. </span><i>"I also changed my boarding house a day or two since. I have been suspecting that the young widow was not all right from what I had seen of & several men who came there, but a few days ago a woman splendidly dressed in black silk and fine jewelry with a young girl about 16 took dinner there. They left the table before the rest did to go to the depot and some of us asked the question who they were, and were informed that one was Mrs Hawkerson and the other – I cannot recollect her name. Mrs H is a woman famous in Galveston for keeping a sort of private aristocratic whore house a short distance out town. I was surprised at this discovery and particularly at the elegance of her manners and it at once made up my mind to quit the place."</i></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Elizabeth's own standard of "proper apparel" was so firm that she even refused to go out publicly without it.</span> <i>"I know how bad it is, to desire to go into company and forced to stay at home for the want of proper apparel. I never desire much to have fine dressing, yet still I have stinted myself woefully all my life….If I could recall the past I would act differently. I would spend a little more on my self than I did. But that is past, and if I haven’t a black silk to be buried in I have a white dress which will look well enough for me."</i></div>
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<h3>
Letters From the South Texas Frontier</h3>
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<div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158544135X/">Maria von Blucher's Corpus Christi: Letters from the South Texas Frontier, 1849-1879 by Maria von Blucher</a> </div>
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A large German community helped build Texas during its frontier days and Maria von Blucher was one of these German transplants. All through the hard pioneer life of poverty, sickness, war and violence, she maintained her standards of decency in manners and clothing. These letters home to her German parents are a fascinating look at her constant efforts to raise her children with proper manners, education... and clothing.<br />
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In spring 1860, Maria joyfully wrote to her parents about buying a Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine and enthused about how much time it would save her in sewing.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">By 1862, the wartime depression and blockade, as well as Corpus Christi's shallow harbor which didn't allow serious shipping, had seriously affected the family's ability to dress well. </span><i>"Times are hard for all families. Clothing cannot be bought at all, except if anyone is fortunate enough to be able to send silver to Mexico to get some....There are no shoes at all, and it was good fortune that I had two hides of good leather from which I myself make shoes for our family....I have resolved to wear out all my dresses before giving $26 for plain white calico to make dresses for myself and the girls. Calico now costs $1 a yard."</i><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">In spite of their struggle to buy decent decent clothing, she mentions in December that a friend </span><i>"brought along gowns for the girls from Mexico."</i><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">In 1863, she received some cash from her parents and used it to purchase a number of items including </span><i>"shoes, shirting, sole leather, one length of cotton, and one piece of colored skirting, so that I am now provisioned for some time."</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">When her parents sent some fabric later in the year she reported,</span> <i>"Our black woman is still with us, all gracious energy in running and ruling the household. I made her a present of colored fabric that many a lady her would be pleased to have. Having received all the fine things from your crates, I did not want to leave her empty-handed."</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Even as late as November 1864, she apparently still had nice silk clothing on hand that she could sell to maintain her family through severe drought. </span>"<i>I had to sell my fine green silk dress and the wonderfully fine table cloth you had sent me, and likewise many other things. The green dress was as fabulous as my wedding dress, and I struggled over parting with it. Yet what is gone is gone and it is no use feeling sad about it."</i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F2fZDVEfgUv9sQBIAGtyG2K5mVzBEhWlTK9ieg9KLfTn1Hdr2AcaYtVqMosnea44JyfS1Hq_5c9wCN89go-h_5TD0aJcmg4AJuARBvePWCgQc_cAvUzCdHFObjsAlOxm8Ixs4r16IKzs/s1600/Texas+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F2fZDVEfgUv9sQBIAGtyG2K5mVzBEhWlTK9ieg9KLfTn1Hdr2AcaYtVqMosnea44JyfS1Hq_5c9wCN89go-h_5TD0aJcmg4AJuARBvePWCgQc_cAvUzCdHFObjsAlOxm8Ixs4r16IKzs/s320/Texas+lady.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unidentified Texas lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
CONCLUSION</h3>
<span style="color: purple;">It's clear that Southern ladies in the West suffered from wartime shortages and the blockade, just as Eastern ladies did. However, it's apparent that their standards for dress were generally the same as Eastern ladies. Silk and wool were the preferred fabrics. Cotton was not a cheap substitute, since obtaining it included the necessity of spinning, weaving and dyeing it themselves (unless they were able to get an expensive, imported bolt through the blockade).</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">Farm women in the East and ranch women in the West both made allowances for dirty outdoor chores. Bare feet, pinning up or shortening their skirts, and even dropping their hoops happened by necessity. But ladies of nearly all social strata, East and West, felt that going out into public required higher standards of dress. These standards included, at a minimum, proper head-coverings, nicely made dresses in appropriate fabrics, and shoes if at all possible.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">The popular Hollywood myth that Western women dispensed with corsets and hoops and wore cheap cotton ill-fitting dresses is just that - a myth. A Southern lady was a lady anywhere, and that included the West.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-14882105666794296132016-01-29T22:49:00.003-05:002018-04-21T21:51:36.825-04:00The Victorian Little Black Dress: Mourning or Not?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZiIa2XBEmmBVJp9KG8nl6-BFXOZhaG5YgbLjCi-PDGd9dHGnCk1LxC4gUhC_lIsz6KnMwYTRuOxaBe86JXK5DUrFuV5kwXstDo14iRWciQQYt6MSo4WfzEtZJdIXlDe1u8ZL-zBXQMxG/s1600/victorian+black+dress.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZiIa2XBEmmBVJp9KG8nl6-BFXOZhaG5YgbLjCi-PDGd9dHGnCk1LxC4gUhC_lIsz6KnMwYTRuOxaBe86JXK5DUrFuV5kwXstDo14iRWciQQYt6MSo4WfzEtZJdIXlDe1u8ZL-zBXQMxG/s320/victorian+black+dress.png" width="320" /></a></div>
A quick eBay search for Victorian photographs turns up the fact that most Victorian dresses look black or gray. Of course, that <i>may</i> be because Victorian photography was only in black and white! (Ya think?) However, a common misconception (furthered by eBay sellers) is that any lady with a dress that looks black MUST be in mourning.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Not.</h2>
<br />
Victorians were a lot like us in their color choices. They liked a variety. But they also liked their basic black dress.<br />
<br />
Black silks, black wools, black velvets, and gauzy black sheers are very common for the middle 1800s. Black was appropriate for many occasions, from morning to evening. And it was a useful color - any colored dress that had been spotted or faded could always be dyed black and used again!<br />
<br />
<h2>
Black for Mourning</h2>
Of course, black was an appropriate color for mourning attire. If a widow or a mother who lost her child could afford to do so, she would often wear an entire outfit of black. However, middle class or poor ladies often had to make do with what they had. Thus they might dye a dress black and wear whatever somber accessories they had with it during the period of mourning. Fashion magazines of the mid-1800s are full of suggestions for clothing and accessories for mourning.<br />
<br />
An example of what a wealthy family might do is found in a fictional story in <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1863hale#page/n420/mode/1up/search/black">Godeys Lady's Book, 1863</a>. In the story, a<span style="text-align: center;"> family in mourning for a fallen son/brother decided that all three of the ladies needed new black dresses. </span>Mrs. Murray and her two daughters are “well to do in the world.” So they have the village dressmaker make them each three new dresses for mourning - a black bombazine, alpaca and calico.<br />
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</div>
<h2>
Black for Non-Mourning</h2>
But in addition to mourning, black was a highly versatile color for so much more! Rather than tell you what black dresses were used for, I decided it would be fun to show you instead. So here are some original pictures and descriptions of ladies' clothing that was black and <i>not</i> necessarily for mourning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsloyYntIP7br3Em5vkB2GwRJDTupZUKrGvcROWielXZu2bF2k5y_POrMpLpEh_sC9Q421mlP8TlptUTC9zba0hGVKvPCD2-XcmZU3uOonxGgrexqDlMen-DQLhbbGv5TNOPhX6Q5Hl0v3/s1600/godeysladysbook1862hale_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsloyYntIP7br3Em5vkB2GwRJDTupZUKrGvcROWielXZu2bF2k5y_POrMpLpEh_sC9Q421mlP8TlptUTC9zba0hGVKvPCD2-XcmZU3uOonxGgrexqDlMen-DQLhbbGv5TNOPhX6Q5Hl0v3/s640/godeysladysbook1862hale_0320.jpg" width="409" /></a></div>
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This "Dinner Dress" is from <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1862hale#page/n315/mode/1up/search/black">Godeys Lady's Book, 1862.</a> The description reads:<i> "Made of black poplin, trimmed with flutings of purple
silk and black velvet ribbon. Black and purple belt, fastened with a clasp.
Linen collar and cuffs." </i><o:p></o:p><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i>***</i></div>
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Black dresses were definitely suitable for older ladies, as this <b>quote</b> from <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook100hale#page/491/mode/1up">Godeys Lady's Book </a>implies: <i>"This was Virginia’s first impression of her hostess. At a glimpse she saw the silvery hair which sheds a pleasant radiance over the face, like moonlight; the soft lace about the throat, in which the head seems to nestle lovingly, like a dove’s in its snowy plumage. Of course she wore a black silk dress and a small black shawl over her shoulders; such a costume belongs to a woman of her age as much as white to a bride." </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnXlYjsqYoZIGbZv42pLcaE1QMaIN-DkpKRG6q-_RRUFRLXtztG8sU4-IFETvcK2fLWQSpFT4oW6J0I2bqYWYSqkRfrwJj4zk-4lSkxsHCuBVD3PQLt_fjvAa6iksL4MLIuFzEPWnWbzU/s1600/godeysladysbook1863hale_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnXlYjsqYoZIGbZv42pLcaE1QMaIN-DkpKRG6q-_RRUFRLXtztG8sU4-IFETvcK2fLWQSpFT4oW6J0I2bqYWYSqkRfrwJj4zk-4lSkxsHCuBVD3PQLt_fjvAa6iksL4MLIuFzEPWnWbzU/s640/godeysladysbook1863hale_0462.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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<i>Home-dress of black alpaca. The corsage and skirt are in one, and the trimming consists of cuir-colored velvet buttons, and bands of cuir-colored velvet.</i> <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1863hale#page/n459/mode/1up/search/black">Godeys Lady's Book, 1863.</a></div>
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***</div>
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<o:p>Young ladies wore black too, as <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1862hale#page/556/mode/1up">this story</a> about a young minister and his wife indicates. <i>"'</i></o:p><i>I must learn to economize more. There’s the cyclopaedia I had promised myself for this year; I must do without it.'</i><br />
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<i><br /></i></div>
<i>'And I the new black silk I thought of having in the spring,' said Mrs. Trueberry.<br /><br />'No, Carolina, you need the dress,' replied her husband.<br /><br />'Not till we are out debt, my dear,' she said gently, but firmly; 'and that will be when you get your quarter’s salary in April. I can turn and make over that blue cashmere I have, and it will do with my others.'"</i><o:p><br /></o:p>
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<o:p>***</o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcN1-0FD-V6moxZUDcszF-WA-v9X5ZehQU0ia13oj6PZH6aLfDqY17gXYBdMqQtTsdQlUbuw3WzJnEJ2LvBw6s9hwl2M2EYYvhwPTk_SYZ6qTzHUiv06yP4FxIgd2GcTj1yVmIFg0Od3o/s1600/e368aecf9975844cde08b53a73e97e3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcN1-0FD-V6moxZUDcszF-WA-v9X5ZehQU0ia13oj6PZH6aLfDqY17gXYBdMqQtTsdQlUbuw3WzJnEJ2LvBw6s9hwl2M2EYYvhwPTk_SYZ6qTzHUiv06yP4FxIgd2GcTj1yVmIFg0Od3o/s640/e368aecf9975844cde08b53a73e97e3c.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=51130">"Look at the Time" by Gustave-Leonard de Jonghe</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is obviously a fashionable lady about to go out. She's clearly not in mourning because her bonnet is yellow and she has a bright multi-colored shawl. This is a daytime dress, as it appears to be either mid-morning or mid-afternoon, based on the clock.<br />
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***</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IEWYp9DcOuE6BYcxZyoorATiQ9p_MhV4qIHWtb-0UiIjgP-PmM9nClIJ29hxY7Z-DTtlHsuSgyAkA7p3aLPlrd-ucAyowDX5c0yq25sKyNVre21XvC3vfjs5bgb48fLNx-J__bClRlQB/s1600/8216b6f4e4b64bc6155fc95135f38567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IEWYp9DcOuE6BYcxZyoorATiQ9p_MhV4qIHWtb-0UiIjgP-PmM9nClIJ29hxY7Z-DTtlHsuSgyAkA7p3aLPlrd-ucAyowDX5c0yq25sKyNVre21XvC3vfjs5bgb48fLNx-J__bClRlQB/s640/8216b6f4e4b64bc6155fc95135f38567.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portrait of Maria Sawiczewska,<br />
Leopold Loeffler, 1861</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This lady is in formal evening dress suitable for a ball, dinner or other "after five" event. Again, this is unlikely to be a mourning outfit since she is wearing gorgeous coral jewelry with it.<br />
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***<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxWhb90UKp-ZNzp-GEiFMviWemswa5vHstH0s54RPOPhCA1I45MT39U3cAxkiTIm32ATRzvvPDeSTEsZNq9Z2jEwhinbIrMXyxr7VQwblH4U59nPeJRY6LTm7zMySwRZX5WXl9sYZ5dwr/s1600/9f727e2222ead460b99ecc833f1c6533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxWhb90UKp-ZNzp-GEiFMviWemswa5vHstH0s54RPOPhCA1I45MT39U3cAxkiTIm32ATRzvvPDeSTEsZNq9Z2jEwhinbIrMXyxr7VQwblH4U59nPeJRY6LTm7zMySwRZX5WXl9sYZ5dwr/s640/9f727e2222ead460b99ecc833f1c6533.jpg" width="521" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Governess, by Emily Mary Osborn, 1860</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As a contrast to the wealthy ladies above, this is a low-income lady. The poor, downtrodden governess is clearly being berated by the indulgent mother. Her depressing plight is accented by her daytime working dress - likely either black wool or silk with lovely sheer sleeves.</div>
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***</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcH-hhXviQu8hznwnJeT8opTAuDh5lWHdtd7RfG49JywFB3Sxt_vqvZ8g8B1LSlfONjSTuxU_oc0KzOh_f9gzvIOdiucmZ8CZSivTY3l5K9PMDxe8O7GGM1MGf-DQI-yP30V4X-cTUG4Q/s1600/c2b2238ca9eeb1fe2a0a4c12a76424c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcH-hhXviQu8hznwnJeT8opTAuDh5lWHdtd7RfG49JywFB3Sxt_vqvZ8g8B1LSlfONjSTuxU_oc0KzOh_f9gzvIOdiucmZ8CZSivTY3l5K9PMDxe8O7GGM1MGf-DQI-yP30V4X-cTUG4Q/s640/c2b2238ca9eeb1fe2a0a4c12a76424c3.jpg" width="467" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon Tea 1865 George Dunlop Leslie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
And just as another contrast, this time it's the employer who is wearing a black dress while her maid wears gray. White collar and cuffs indicate that she is likely not in mourning.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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***<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Black dresses were so ubiquitous that Godeys even <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1862hale#page/158/mode/1up/search/black">included suggestions</a> on how to reuse them when they were worn-out. <i>"Two mothers had each a good black satin dress; in the course of time they became, as unfortunately all dresses will, too shabby or two old-fashioned for their wearers’ use. One mother picked hers to pieces, washed and ironed it, and made from it two handsome-looking mantles for her daughters. The other adapted hers for a petticoat, and spent five-and-twenty shillings in the purchase of new mantles for her two daughters. The mantles made of this old material were far the best-looking, and most serviceable. Now, five shillings would have bought a petticoat; and thus the saving of twenty shillings might have been made for the pocket of the husband."</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzZnN1cFtfcYPUYMgA8zHe2c1_4ahgF7HNTPYjFjBpkDAJZf7I05LZzmpUJdtGhA5SiJ31sdVVtLkPK1zc8kXmC3yG_JGaqopKQLlMXBcEOseLSc_0guJoVt3Z6fEW_NI1XU505IKdGlu/s1600/11218712_10206916349763456_4503371869108418752_n.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzZnN1cFtfcYPUYMgA8zHe2c1_4ahgF7HNTPYjFjBpkDAJZf7I05LZzmpUJdtGhA5SiJ31sdVVtLkPK1zc8kXmC3yG_JGaqopKQLlMXBcEOseLSc_0guJoVt3Z6fEW_NI1XU505IKdGlu/s640/11218712_10206916349763456_4503371869108418752_n.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />
A final fashion magazine image - this one of a striking black ensemble trimmed with red! <a href="http://theebonswan.blogspot.com/2013/10/le-follet-october-1861.html">Le Follet, October 1861.</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
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And just for fun, I'll throw in an entertaining description I found in an <a href="https://archive.org/stream/godeysladysbook1863hale#page/171/mode/1up/search/black">1863 fictional story</a>. Even "Deacon Moody's" wife had a black dress! <br />
<br />
<i>Deacon Moody was a little glum man, and looked as if he was asleep half the time; but if ever you see anybody wide awake it was his wife. Her eyes was big, and round, and black, and she would look at your over her specs for ever so long without winkin’. She was so fat and round that she looked for all the world jest like a great bolster tied in the middle. She had on a black bombazine frock, a checked apron, a black silk neck hankercher on her neck, and a great red knittin’ sheath, shaped like a heart pinned on her side. She sot in the big rockin’-chair, and rocked, and knit, and talked all the afternoon. </i><br />
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So if you are a living historian, you can wear a black dress for many occasions - not just for mourning! And next time you're looking at old pictures of Great-Grandma, wondering if the black dress meant she was in mourning - it might have just been her favorite "little black dress!"<br />
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***</div>
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If you have a Victorian little black dress, my mom and I have some lovely accessories in our shops! Check out headpieces and jewelry at <a href="http://www.southernserendipity.etsy.com/">Southern Serendipity</a> and rosette belts and cockades at <a href="http://www.creativecockades.ecwid.com/">Creative Cockades. </a><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-83291131023991882672015-09-10T22:34:00.000-04:002016-04-06T18:33:06.332-04:00Civil War Skirt and Blouse: Right or Wrong?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFC60MlWoujA5HYObsLQOkSsD95Mpdui6UOosEFyCTHk6ap9Gvp2_5lXBXsOPfbvhvcVS0ucxuHzK2imHV-jFceE0yxvcIMRrBWmwCXg5SwIFrIBP3UOJyaE2ehJ1Na1IYlpd71MdHRt5/s1600/civil+war+skirt+blouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFC60MlWoujA5HYObsLQOkSsD95Mpdui6UOosEFyCTHk6ap9Gvp2_5lXBXsOPfbvhvcVS0ucxuHzK2imHV-jFceE0yxvcIMRrBWmwCXg5SwIFrIBP3UOJyaE2ehJ1Na1IYlpd71MdHRt5/s320/civil+war+skirt+blouse.png" width="258" /></a></div>
If you're a first-time reenacting lady, heading for "sutler row" to buy your first outfit, you'll see them everywhere. Beautiful billowing white peasant blouses and lovely full flowered skirts. Perfect! You find a set in your size and POOF! You're a reenactress!<br />
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Then you get on a reenactor online forum and you see this discussion about "the dreaded skirt and blouse combo." You read it and you're in the dumps - apparently the mismatched skirt and blouse are ALL WRONG and were never worn during the war. You sadly consider the cost of buying an entirely new outfit.<br />
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But THEN you start looking on Pinterest at original photos of Civil War ladies. WAIT! There are ladies in real 1860s photographs wearing a skirt and blouse!<br />
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Okayyyyy, what's going on here?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8aN73lo_dQXH4G1nUmdi19LMeP4UlrQMRBVErLvJ5gTlNXeOd7oysdzewqWuXh55T8_XFVmlD5AJ7JFHOtpDv2RsvqLgbmsYYg2aet_nGTZ3SHJoVKB-QxU5oke2pyCTcbPyUCJAPeqO/s1600/78e4af6fcdd954fcbebd89986beb5010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8aN73lo_dQXH4G1nUmdi19LMeP4UlrQMRBVErLvJ5gTlNXeOd7oysdzewqWuXh55T8_XFVmlD5AJ7JFHOtpDv2RsvqLgbmsYYg2aet_nGTZ3SHJoVKB-QxU5oke2pyCTcbPyUCJAPeqO/s320/78e4af6fcdd954fcbebd89986beb5010.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>US National Archives 111-B-1686</i></span></td></tr>
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<b><u>Mis-Matched vs Matched</u></b><br />
The first item to consider is whether Civil War ladies only wore outfits with matching skirt and top, or if they wore mis-matched outfits too. The answer is, they wore both. Sort of.<br />
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The mainstay of all female wardrobes in the 1860s was the matched skirt and bodice. Sometimes it was a one-piece dress, sometimes the pieces were separate, allowing for two different styles of matching bodice to be worn (a day bodice and an evening bodice, for example). If you looked in any woman's closet, the majority of what you'd find would be dresses with matching skirt and top.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDEVz-ImNAA1YOoeWsHQNHXzTRgQTnzN3Ht5ekQrCNeznn8euKTjWxUhQcyTClCU4i-Ot5ZoyIDWWOt2spK_IMOaZBKBiLrxFXXLJirHysGPiv2icnq-FiFVFDNdAlMKbE323pRhvMVr4/s1600/Barrington+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDEVz-ImNAA1YOoeWsHQNHXzTRgQTnzN3Ht5ekQrCNeznn8euKTjWxUhQcyTClCU4i-Ot5ZoyIDWWOt2spK_IMOaZBKBiLrxFXXLJirHysGPiv2icnq-FiFVFDNdAlMKbE323pRhvMVr4/s320/Barrington+House.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bartoscollection.com/photoscivilwar15sit.html"><i>Barrington House photo. 1860s.</i></a></td></tr>
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But in the 1860s, a new fashion was just beginning to take hold. A young lady, or a fashionable woman might have an outfit or two in this new style. The style was - you guessed it - a mis-matched skirt and top. BUT... there were very particular parameters for this style.<br />
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And that's where fashion historians blow a gasket, because the modern sutler version of a white blouse and calico skirt doesn't even come close to fitting the 1860s parameters for what we now call a "skirt and blouse."<br />
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So let's take a look at what these outfits <i>really</i> looked like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJKGjJ3NsBuko2SKq-DU5_yaDVC9Z4QIONttsnmI17Btqtb8oVEFXA9vMILTGdLUpEGD7GLNEXfJ1DiPOzwKuXUo86b9dI6XzdhD-xH5t9OYzCC7a-UWnz5KA7Owhe7Qfx9fpcN-sWa01/s1600/13-525610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJKGjJ3NsBuko2SKq-DU5_yaDVC9Z4QIONttsnmI17Btqtb8oVEFXA9vMILTGdLUpEGD7GLNEXfJ1DiPOzwKuXUo86b9dI6XzdhD-xH5t9OYzCC7a-UWnz5KA7Owhe7Qfx9fpcN-sWa01/s320/13-525610.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #212121; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.photo.rmn.fr/archive/13-525610-2C6NU0DJYHVC.html"><i>Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais</i></a></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><u>The Typical Blouse</u></b><br />
A "blouse" was originally a man's garment. Using the term "blouse" for woman's clothing is still a fairly new thing in this era, and it refers to a certain kind of top, one that imitates a gentleman's shirt. Up till now, we have been calling a ladies' top a "bodice," a "waist," or a "body." These terms could mean slightly different things depending on your region.<br />
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What we call the "blouse" of the 1860s (and I will use this term the rest of this post because it's familiar) was almost always white and almost always very fine, beautiful fabric. Sheer cottons, silks and wools were often used. Tucks, frills, and furbelows of all sorts were generally included. Many times we see ribbon woven into the collar, or even into the whole blouse. It was a sharp looking, well-fitting, high fashion garment.<br />
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Here is a blouse from the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/108131?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=bodice&when=A.D.+1800-1900&what=Cotton&pos=20">Met Museum</a> made from sheer window-pane fine cotton. It is partially lined and includes a fitted waistband and some lovely ruffles.<br />
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This gorgeous sheer blouse (it appears to be silk) is puffed to kingdom come! A fitted waistband and frilly collar complete this little piece of elegance.<br />
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And just one more example (someone please stop me!). This one is so pretty with its detailed white-work flowers. It's likely that white-work was done by hand.<br />
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<b><u>The Garibaldi Blouse</u></b><br />
As I said, blouses were <i>almost</i> always white. The exception was for an outfit mimicking the famous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Garibaldi">Guiseppe Garibaldi,</a> a freedom fighter in Italy. Garibaldi blouses worn by ladies were generally red, like his was, and included intricate, military-style black trim. You'll often see mock epaulettes on the shoulders. These gorgeous blouses were usually made of fine wool or silk. Because they were solid colored, they were almost never made of cotton - solid cottons were very rare in the 1860s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoJBPiW8AKcSUlV2KVb8__7IsFOe7uzjKOp9EqTujY2X7uGYXS_iZdXljHCszDGrNXhTHSe8ygr6skfKcsLd2qDa2Uozny7N5iI36l86QUkMdYirshx1fpXbDHXZ0gUl7QpAXKl8Xha03/s1600/il_570xN.776954143_5p0g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoJBPiW8AKcSUlV2KVb8__7IsFOe7uzjKOp9EqTujY2X7uGYXS_iZdXljHCszDGrNXhTHSe8ygr6skfKcsLd2qDa2Uozny7N5iI36l86QUkMdYirshx1fpXbDHXZ0gUl7QpAXKl8Xha03/s320/il_570xN.776954143_5p0g.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lovely - but not for Civil War era!</i></td></tr>
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<b><u>No Peasant Blouses</u></b><br />
So even though those lovely flowing white blouses on sutler row look so enticing, they're not accurate. The cotton fabric is usually too coarse and heavy, the blouse is too loose and floppy, there is almost never a proper collar - and I'm just getting started! Basically, a ready-made blouse of any kind will probably not look right for our era. Blouses of the 1860s were made to fit YOU and you only.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyGh_motmmxnEwI1gDIB8MR6ORC9zPpdjlTHWv9iAUedft3YIyL0EF00fQQAxNaOjG4OtuIudGkdF8nZuDFsoB_N1JANWCIgGAMdLWrDgPhrGUsJRR4-sM9Vo3AQroAT99kjNKhXHxx6o/s1600/d84b7554b94365b2adefbff887d2d11a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyGh_motmmxnEwI1gDIB8MR6ORC9zPpdjlTHWv9iAUedft3YIyL0EF00fQQAxNaOjG4OtuIudGkdF8nZuDFsoB_N1JANWCIgGAMdLWrDgPhrGUsJRR4-sM9Vo3AQroAT99kjNKhXHxx6o/s320/d84b7554b94365b2adefbff887d2d11a.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/16345?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=Lily+Martin+Spencer&pos=2">Conversation Piece, Lilly Martin Spencer</a></i></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><u>The Skirt</u></b><br />
So now we come to the second part of the ensemble. Remember that a "skirt and blouse" combo is considered a high fashion outfit. The cheap floppy calico skirts on sutler row don't make the cut.<br />
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Skirts of the 1860s were generally fine tightly woven silk or wool. Both solids and patterns were used - but watch out which patterns you choose! Some of our modern designs simply weren't around back then. Plaids and stripes are generally pretty safe (and if you're concerned about a plaid, you can research it online to see when it was created).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1864 Ladies Friend Magazine </i></span></span></td></tr>
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If you are wearing the typical 1860s white blouse, you can pair it with a skirt of many colors and designs. However, if you're wearing a Garibaldi blouse, it was almost always paired with a black, or black-and-white skirt to complete the look of Garibaldi's uniform.<br />
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<b><u>The Belt</u></b><br />
Now we come to the optional finishing touch. A belt is not necessary for this ensemble, but it does make a nice statement and was quite popular. Here are some types of belts that were worn with these outfits:<br />
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- Velvet or silk with rectangular metal buckle (like the fashion plate above)<br />
- Velvet or silk with double buckle<br />
- Rosette belt (came into fashion in the mid-1860s)<br />
- Medici belt - these were generally silk, fitted your waist (no bow in the back, a la sutler row) and sometimes beautifully embroidered<br />
- Swiss waist - a silk, corset-like garment<br />
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So if you're a young lady, or if you're portraying a fashion-forward lady, a skirt and blouse ensemble may be for you. But save yourself some money by avoiding sutler row and instead go for the stunning original design: a high-quality finely designed blouse and silk or wool skirt.<br />
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This young woman shows off the perfect ensemble: Frilly sheer blouse with ribbon woven in, silk medici belt and silk taffeta skirt. Her hair is smoothly in order and her lacy hankie provides the perfect finishing touch.<br />
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Here's another photo from my sister's collection. Though mother and daughter's faces look almost alike, mama has a fashionable but predictable lady's outfit, probably a one-piece dress with lovely trim. Daughter, on the other hand, is more fashion-forward and is wearing a beautifully trimmed Garibaldi blouse - she probably sewed all that trim on herself! Her dark solid skirt is likely black silk. Both she and mama complete their ensembles with neck bows and ribbon hairnets. Such a lovely couple!<br />
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If you want to see more gorgeous blouse outfits from the 1860s, check out <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hezpetunia/civil-war-blouses/">my Pinterest board</a> on the subject.<br />
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This outfit was so fun that sis and I decided to attempt it ourselves. We found some lovely sheer cotton and sis made our gorgeous blouses with plenty of tucks and frills. I made the skirts - mine is swishy silk taffeta and sis's is a rich wool. I also made our <a href="http://www.creativecockades.com/">cockades</a>. And Mom made our snazzy <a href="http://www.southernserendipity.etsy.com/">hairnets!</a> I think the whole effect turned out nicely!<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-53720473366104749882015-06-04T19:26:00.001-04:002015-06-04T19:26:23.979-04:00Girls Day Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUS3KB5AYGzpHe2Mos05W9VmPVY9qsZZw6qRoPq5YysNac2RhlwCGjnMzQ03KAN9jz7ttzpFtgpaQkd-9OIvsnfNSAn4gX9xZ-5cB1UpCKepG9tZJuHTAUfeVazhqD7p3MhtS5RPkIUZV/s1600/title+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUS3KB5AYGzpHe2Mos05W9VmPVY9qsZZw6qRoPq5YysNac2RhlwCGjnMzQ03KAN9jz7ttzpFtgpaQkd-9OIvsnfNSAn4gX9xZ-5cB1UpCKepG9tZJuHTAUfeVazhqD7p3MhtS5RPkIUZV/s320/title+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For Mom's birthday, we decided to do something FOOFY this year! And what's more foofy than having tea with your girlfriends?<br />
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So we and the afore-mentioned girlfriends made a trek out to Ridgeway, South Carolina and had tea at <a href="http://laurastearoom.com/"><b>Laura's Tea Room</b></a>, followed by a leisurely antiquing trip back home. The ultimate day of girly FOOF!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura's Tea Room loans you a hat!</td></tr>
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This was our first visit to Laura's Tea Room so we had fun taking extra pictures. Except for the fact that it seemed a little pricey to us, and the "tea" had some odd American twists, we thought it was a lovely place.<br />
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Here are the conspiratorial girlfriends, ready to have a party for Mom! Naturally, if you're going to have tea, you must wear hats and gloves. Laura's Tea Room provides hats for ladies who don't have one (we heard a lot of giggles as ladies tried them on). But we felt Highly Elegant since we already had our classy hats on!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have hats, will travel!</td></tr>
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Miss Rose's hat is what she calls the "Aunt Bea style" (watch the Andy Griffith Show if you're not sure what that is). Miss Jeannie's hat was dramatically decorated with strawberries because - as she pointed out - it is now strawberry season! Raquelle's hat might have looked rather tame with just black and white, until you notice that it has feathers that wave around while Raquelle guestures. (Note: Raquelle guestures a lot.) My hat is a pretty vintage straw hat that still has it's original velvet flowers - and just happens to match my dress perfectly!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday girl!</td></tr>
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Now, for the birthday girl! Mom decided today to wear something that she wouldn't need to take off later while antique shopping. So she opted for a "fascinator." She came up with the idea the night before and made one for herself that exactly matched her outfit! If you've never seen a fascinator before, I once heard a British newsperson describe it as a "sea urchin on your head." Actually, it's a lot cuter than that!<br />
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Laura's Tea Room not only serves high tea, they also have a more casual cafe where they serve soups, sandwiches and salads (how alliterative!). The cafe is on the main floor and is combined with a shop of all things tea-ish. When we arrived, they gave us a few minutes to look around the shop (and pick out hats to wear, except we already had ours). Then they took us upstairs to the "tea room" proper.<br />
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As another fun touch, we gave the birthday girl a tussie mussie - a Victorian handheld bouquet. Here are a couple pictures. And the flowers looked smashing with Mom's outfit!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubeQiGEI6-O5MSGpI1LoQTb8BFbNVSA9TYvAGqb6D9qkLv20ZoB_ffwKukSShv3jxmF8s8DQeX95d8plJmk8BTcFqmTwtjFPQbmDkPBQsvQZSIaCZLqrKyImLLxO4WB2Pv3ms-xxQUmCQ/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubeQiGEI6-O5MSGpI1LoQTb8BFbNVSA9TYvAGqb6D9qkLv20ZoB_ffwKukSShv3jxmF8s8DQeX95d8plJmk8BTcFqmTwtjFPQbmDkPBQsvQZSIaCZLqrKyImLLxO4WB2Pv3ms-xxQUmCQ/s200/IMG_8848.JPG" width="175" /></a>There were lots of fun tea-themed decorating touches, like the little teapot napkin rings. And - what fun! - you get to choose your own tea cup as you head for the table! Decisions, decisions... I chose a pretty white and gold cup because I liked the way it looked with the little gold tea spoon. </div>
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Everyone had a yummy cold iced tea glass at their plate. The odd Americanism was that they only gave us two teapots of hot tea for the whole table - one flavor they chose and one we chose. I prefer the English way of giving everyone their own pot so can choose your own flavor. But in this case, it was easy to decide what flavor to pick - we just had the birthday girl do the choosing! </center>
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Another interesting Americanism was that we were served a pasta and spinach salad first. I suspect this was supposed to fill us up so we wouldn't notice that the "tea" part of the meal was a trifle on the skimpy side. However, it was definitely a tasty salad!</center>
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Once the salad dishes were cleared, we were served scones - that is, one scone a piece. They were American sized scones (i.e. not very big) but quite delicious. And naturally, one must have lemon curd with your scones! </center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5FZtv2H9DIliiV-7hoOGJVHhbRielMgCd079SXF2xDjNAPIRpuu7iL4H9sPshmgnKviienwpgrye0o4fFG-acg0uZnDfU6oNYZzAnCzWiJ7RgeyGyv4kCqsnTo9rFFfecF_OW2Esq2RV/s1600/IMG_8867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5FZtv2H9DIliiV-7hoOGJVHhbRielMgCd079SXF2xDjNAPIRpuu7iL4H9sPshmgnKviienwpgrye0o4fFG-acg0uZnDfU6oNYZzAnCzWiJ7RgeyGyv4kCqsnTo9rFFfecF_OW2Esq2RV/s320/IMG_8867.JPG" width="320" /></a>And for the grand finale, we were finally served the "real" part of the tea (in our opinion!). It was all scrumptious! Tasty little sandwiches, trifles, chocolate covered strawberries, and more! Of course, when you eat calories with friends, they don't count - right? </center>
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After we finished eating, Mom opened her gifts and then we sat and chatted for quite a while. It was a slow day with a number of empty tables so we just had a good time yakking in the quiet room and catching up on each other's lives.</center>
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Here are a couple more pictures of the room so you can see how elegant we felt.</center>
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Then on our way out, we did one more quick pass through the shop to admire all the pretty items on the shelves. This is a fun place to "window shop" even if you don't purchase something!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL0Nkhcc4aK3pJEXp2mr_3obmK-wr3p9pw6UBByw6JXnC34u9_EEyE61Sd5cmXpgd-aWzdnVijhZDxOXvpWMSIjViL8EQVXdBUtjAzL9xDjgb0LcCyzaih76zcxHlenRrGj0_TyNx5TJl/s1600/IMG_8897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL0Nkhcc4aK3pJEXp2mr_3obmK-wr3p9pw6UBByw6JXnC34u9_EEyE61Sd5cmXpgd-aWzdnVijhZDxOXvpWMSIjViL8EQVXdBUtjAzL9xDjgb0LcCyzaih76zcxHlenRrGj0_TyNx5TJl/s320/IMG_8897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nope, we didn't buy anything - that's Mom carrying the "loot" she received for her birthday! Don't the ladies look color coordinated with all those teapots behind them? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdCNz8UDM7Thi-dZWV9URwNP6v4SfkZ9boeOHQd1kDOGkTmCix-CeyWXfWZBGVVj-i4DHruE_Yll167OF-quEGedAcVc87bJaObcq3-zCJManyWkVTWhPNzq9_Nt0FpqstI1wwJHwpxkD/s1600/IMG_8903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdCNz8UDM7Thi-dZWV9URwNP6v4SfkZ9boeOHQd1kDOGkTmCix-CeyWXfWZBGVVj-i4DHruE_Yll167OF-quEGedAcVc87bJaObcq3-zCJManyWkVTWhPNzq9_Nt0FpqstI1wwJHwpxkD/s320/IMG_8903.JPG" width="320" /></a>Before we left, we did what all good bloggers do - took a picture of ourselves by the sign! By the way, this is also a great way to keep your photos organized and remember where you went. (Free tip from a Dumb Blond Photographer! You're welcome.)</div>
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Then we all piled into the van with our assorted hats, flowers, and bags and proceeded to fill up the rest of the afternoon with stops at antique stores! Everybody found a "treasure" of some sort and we enjoyed looking at "treasures" we didn't need - such as the Confederate soldier garden statue. He was quite handsome, but just didn't seem right for our rose gardens. </div>
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And that, ladies and gentlemen (<i>are</i> there any gentlemen reading this?)...was our fun girly day together! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_zpaDEQoHIlpWWgEkGQSGOyBl719UEhVC9BRmBc_gxgK7sLxJa4Cq4YvP1MCyzp9B6jxOaLdRXb-AnKr3M2DUuqEIW7iLUvUM7bWMVFknlFd-4pwApelX-nS40gMAUM1XDQ-25zSKOvT/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_zpaDEQoHIlpWWgEkGQSGOyBl719UEhVC9BRmBc_gxgK7sLxJa4Cq4YvP1MCyzp9B6jxOaLdRXb-AnKr3M2DUuqEIW7iLUvUM7bWMVFknlFd-4pwApelX-nS40gMAUM1XDQ-25zSKOvT/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2uk-dEaq9RCMgF4BbTktAGwjft-sHX1i-qQ154SBokhSc3fIvhwnq5RlN5qLyptn9mxePfJ7XQ0V5jSK1wilp8NZNCpJgiC6Bnz5GQ_skseNSKduRYMEUxG3iafPDyjoXZJxxsqT2RZE/s1600/IMG_8917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2uk-dEaq9RCMgF4BbTktAGwjft-sHX1i-qQ154SBokhSc3fIvhwnq5RlN5qLyptn9mxePfJ7XQ0V5jSK1wilp8NZNCpJgiC6Bnz5GQ_skseNSKduRYMEUxG3iafPDyjoXZJxxsqT2RZE/s320/IMG_8917.JPG" width="320" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-32171029566800515622015-05-18T21:41:00.000-04:002015-05-19T10:13:05.154-04:00How To Choose A Civil War Fabric<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KwRyFDWeyLHDd2budk-PyEELwKY4fI3xQPKt2LW0gnuh5kXWXy1kgYEv4KWDEY1aZubV8k2VU9_48vthNp1RwXnVOIfUX9xwCXOcdH_Sw2Z3-SMBfXUVKUrslMlc3bSnlrfC_1_bmPDK/s1600/How+to+Choose+Fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KwRyFDWeyLHDd2budk-PyEELwKY4fI3xQPKt2LW0gnuh5kXWXy1kgYEv4KWDEY1aZubV8k2VU9_48vthNp1RwXnVOIfUX9xwCXOcdH_Sw2Z3-SMBfXUVKUrslMlc3bSnlrfC_1_bmPDK/s320/How+to+Choose+Fabric.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's pretty... but NOT authentic!</td></tr>
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<i>My first dress was a lovely solid blue polyester that looked sorta like cotton. I put black soutache trim on it and felt "perty." Later I discovered that my choices of fabric and trim were completely wrong! So, in order to save you some aggravation, I've asked the lovely Jennifer McCardell Green if I can repost her awesome <a href="https://word.office.live.com/wv/WordView.aspx?FBsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fattachments%2Ffile_preview.php%3Fid%3D385520698314487%26time%3D1431999529%26metadata&access_token=570538199%3AAVLSrtNCUG-C0UQpQptVH7sQ7V6Aka2Dq2sDCVylFV-sWw&title=A+Checklist.docx">Fabric Overview!</a> So here you go - a summary of how to choose Civil War fabric! ~Heather</i></div>
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<u><b>Which Fabric To Choose?</b></u></div>
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In the world of period correct clothing, choosing a fabric
can be a bear, especially when you’re just starting out. It looks daunting, and can be terribly
discouraging. Hopefully, this will help
solve your problems, and make starting out a tad bit easier. First, let me start with a quick glossary of terms, put into
my own, particular vernacular.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQeI13kkDLcAC5hc_xrVBWorz1MmbngWhOQ78bR_tCyf0eOVyNA4axyM4RkMmSt0HZJMFSXKKlvrKdIhTOtZdKnoqep1bJ5kSSGbYIKH2mPMFphA36SKsYv1SpIhWezTHP52wfUq6KIKj/s1600/cotton+boll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQeI13kkDLcAC5hc_xrVBWorz1MmbngWhOQ78bR_tCyf0eOVyNA4axyM4RkMmSt0HZJMFSXKKlvrKdIhTOtZdKnoqep1bJ5kSSGbYIKH2mPMFphA36SKsYv1SpIhWezTHP52wfUq6KIKj/s200/cotton+boll.JPG" width="173" /></a><i><b>COTTON</b></i> - Cotton is a
soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around
the seeds of cotton plants. The fiber is
most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable
textile. While cotton was known in the
ancient world, it didn’t become a superstar until the period after the American
Revolution. In 1793, Eli Whitney
invented the cotton gin, which lead to mass production, and in the early part
of the 19<span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">th</span> century, cotton was like the biggest thing since sliced
bread… If they had sliced bread… Maybe I should research that! But anyway, cotton was awesome! </div>
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By the 1840s, Britain and India could no
longer compete with the United States, owing to slave labor, which allowed the
American south to produce cotton at around half the cost of non-slave labor
plantations. American Cotton was
king. However, for whatever reason, by
the 1860s, cotton simply wasn’t popular for certain styles. I could get into it and try to do a
dissertation on why, but the purpose of this article is to be a short, helpful
read. To steal a phrase, <i>cotton had
become sweatpants, and you wouldn’t make an Oscar gown out of sweatpants
material.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>WOOL</b></i> - Wool is the textile fiber
obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats,
mohair from goats, and so on and so on, but for our purposes, we’re really only
worried about sheep and goats. Wool has
several qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it is crimped, it is
elastic, and it grows in staples (clusters).
Wool's scaling and crimp make it easier to spin the fleece by helping
the individual fibers attach to each other, so they stay together. Because of
the crimp, wool fabrics can have greater bulk than other textiles, and they
hold air, which causes the fabric to retain heat. Insulation works both ways:
Bedouins and Tuaregs use wool clothes to keep heat out and protect the
body.<br />
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Wool fibers readily absorb
moisture, but are not hollow. Wool can absorb almost one-third of its own
weight in water.<sup> </sup> Wool ignites
at a higher temperature than cotton and most synthetic fibers. It has a lower
rate of flame spread, a lower rate of heat release, a lower heat of combustion,
and does not melt or drip; it forms a char which is insulating and
self-extinguishing, and it contributes less to toxic gases and smoke than other
flooring products when used in carpets. Wool carpets are specified for high
safety environments, such as trains and aircraft. Wool is usually specified for
garments for firefighters, soldiers, and others in occupations where they are
exposed to the likelihood of fire. Wool
is also considered by the medical profession to be hypoallergenic. Wool is a freaking rockstar!<br />
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Most reenactors look for a tropical weight
wool or a lightweight worsted suiting when choosing a wool. Order some samples and hold them up against a
quilting weight cotton: I can guarantee
you both wool samples will be lighter weight, and will move better too. Also, I don’t think I’m going out on a limb
to say, without using any research and pulling random numbers out of my head,
that every single person in the 1860s had and regularly used a wool garment, in
the summer and in the winter.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE_ZkXfRGhlvak-IT0itZMvB9kCp75bNigUJIYXwM8UpINvEw0136lDSpazCxTgNljpsPy0wJgof2-CG66En953w5FBCLMLvqZ4I7p8U4ycNoQdauXgh14GbCuDRoTtrXjoRqw_9uZPLX/s1600/silkworm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE_ZkXfRGhlvak-IT0itZMvB9kCp75bNigUJIYXwM8UpINvEw0136lDSpazCxTgNljpsPy0wJgof2-CG66En953w5FBCLMLvqZ4I7p8U4ycNoQdauXgh14GbCuDRoTtrXjoRqw_9uZPLX/s200/silkworm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><i>SILK</i></b> - Ah, Silk! Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms
of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed
mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The
shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of
the silk fiber, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles,
thus producing different colors. Silk
has been used for thousands of years, and was super popular during the
1860s.<br />
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However, not all silks were
used. Silk dupioni, perhaps the most
commonly used silk today, was not used.
The high number of slubs in the fabric was highly undesirable then, and
it wouldn’t have made it onto the market.
Some modern silks sold as dupioni can be used due to a lack of slubs,
usually it’s other silk that has been mislabeled, but unless you’re experienced
in silks, I wouldn’t recommend bothering to look for acceptable dupioni. Also, I wouldn’t recommend an online
purchase. Dupioni is expensive, and
unless you have amazing good luck, you probably just wasted that money.<br />
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Silk taffeta, however, was the most popular
silk of the 1860s. It is lovely, light,
crisp, and makes a wonderful swishing noise.
However, most brick and mortar fabric stores don’t carry silk
taffeta. There are several reputable
merchants online who do, however, and usually at a lower price than the
inferior dupioni!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><i>LINEN</i></b> - Linen is a textile made from
the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is
laborious to manufacture, but the fiber is very absorbent and garments made of
linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot
weather. Possibly, because of the
manufacturing cost, linen just wasn’t used in women’s clothing. You will see some linen undergarments,
specialty garments like traveling costumes and habits, and a whole lot of men’s
attire, but not women’s dresses, so I’m not going to write a dissertation here. If you’re starting out and making your first
dress, just don’t choose linen. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><i>RAYON</i></b> - Rayon is a manufactured
regenerated cellulose fiber. It is made from purified cellulose, primarily from
wood pulp, which is chemically converted into a soluble compound. It is then dissolved
and forced through a spinneret to produce filaments which are chemically
solidified, resulting in synthetic fibers of nearly pure cellulose.<sup> </sup>Because
rayon is manufactured from naturally occurring polymers, it is considered a semi-synthetic
fiber.<sup> </sup>Specific types of rayon include viscose, modal and lyocell,
each of which differs in manufacturing process and properties of the finished
product. However, Rayon wasn’t invented
until 1894, so this will be my last mention.
They wouldn’t have used it if they had it, because they didn’t have it!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><i>NYLON AND POLYESTER</i></b> - No. Just no.
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers, more
specifically aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides. They can be melt processed
into fibers, films or shapes. Polyester
is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in their main
chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include naturally occurring chemicals, such as
in the cutin of plant cuticles, as well as synthetics through step-growth
polymerization such as polybutyrate.<br />
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Thank God for Wikipedia, because I didn’t understand any of that! If you can’t understand the words used to
describe the fabric, they probably didn’t have it. Man-made fabrics are undesirable for a number
of reasons. Firstly, and most
importantly, man-made fabrics are HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. It is not recommended to be in a place with
open flames, like in a lantern, oil lamp, camp fire, candle, etc., etc., when
wearing a man-made fabric. I am not
kidding. You will ignite. Remember that “melt processing” thing above? The fibers will melt INTO your skin. Even if the burn is not bad, they will need
to remove your flesh to dig out the fibers that have melted into your
skin. I’m sorry, but ew!<br />
<br />
Secondly, they are hot and they do not
breathe. They are hot as the fires of
Hades. Seriously, if you’re thinking
about cheating and making your ball gown out of a man-made fabric, please
rethink. You’ll be removed from that
ball room suffering from heat stroke.
Well, more likely, you’ll just be miserable, but that’s no fun
either! And thirdly, you may think your
“faux” satin, taffeta, etc., is indistinguishable from the real thing. I’m sorry, it’s not. Those of us who have been doing this for a
long time CAN tell. We can tell by the
sheen and by the way the fabric moves.
We can also tell by the sweat pouring off your face! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span>
So now let’s move on to my little checklist of sorts. I’m going to ask a question about your
pattern, and discuss your possible answers.<o:p></o:p><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u>Matching Your Fabric To Your Pattern</u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOpBCJw3Bq8ZTb99qTu2Z7cltLUrLpGafxqFmDQu1xXyl7lFzJbJXByq6jBTtYjR_yZqv4qTyjwCBf9xhGB4DNdJg207wRvpPCAztQyMjX_f34DQLMxsItBzHG7BjQ4dsNRsTjfL5aOf9/s1600/Wool+dress,+1860s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOpBCJw3Bq8ZTb99qTu2Z7cltLUrLpGafxqFmDQu1xXyl7lFzJbJXByq6jBTtYjR_yZqv4qTyjwCBf9xhGB4DNdJg207wRvpPCAztQyMjX_f34DQLMxsItBzHG7BjQ4dsNRsTjfL5aOf9/s200/Wool+dress,+1860s.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathered Dress<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/charlestonmuseum/5330818020/in/photostream/">Charleston Museum</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>Does your pattern have a darted
waist, or a gathered waist? </i><br />
</b>If you answered <b><i>gathered</i></b>, you
have many options. Gathers put less
stress on the fabric than darts do, so you are open to use cotton, sheer
cottons, or wools. Silks don’t appear to
have been used on a gathered waists as often, but it can still be done in
certain circumstances.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWM3PGXa0seoseuv1YcPEddmcfflii4Gg-5CQ3g2Wc8TETH6CAJkIoYUik_8E-Igva-TVgAQPKM4sAU_eTygITF78KEMRm0SQkr5fwp5GCj_0_BrX79cBRDdSiRnMjlseuQn97sts-_XY/s1600/darted+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWM3PGXa0seoseuv1YcPEddmcfflii4Gg-5CQ3g2Wc8TETH6CAJkIoYUik_8E-Igva-TVgAQPKM4sAU_eTygITF78KEMRm0SQkr5fwp5GCj_0_BrX79cBRDdSiRnMjlseuQn97sts-_XY/s200/darted+dress.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darted Dress<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/fashionarchivesandmuseum/photos/pb.118377364851329.-2207520000.1431913763./495601340462261/?type=3&theater">Shippensburg Museum</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you answered <i><b>darted</b>,</i> you’re more
limited. Darts put more significant
stress on the fabric, so sheer cottons cannot be used. We don’t really know why, but heavier cottons
were not used <br />
either. It may have been a fad, because
we see darted cotton bodices in the 1850s and again in the 1870s, but not in
the 1860s! Who knows! But wools and silks were very, very commonly
made into darted bodices, so if your fabric is one of those, have at! Go to town on those darts!<o:p></o:p><br />
If you answered <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx6Jd-NtcEAzb7xE0QoUFsHnZk8GQ17T9cOxDWnxd96nzkv4aC7WTfenZPoYgwuQkjbpAt90WdeCN0M6DApoNpFR_Rk4J1T-Hz1fJwyxju6MXa9EfzgN3KVARJf5kVCZtUBTSH0jIm81e/s1600/fca65687e6b5772d920ff7f758cd9eed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx6Jd-NtcEAzb7xE0QoUFsHnZk8GQ17T9cOxDWnxd96nzkv4aC7WTfenZPoYgwuQkjbpAt90WdeCN0M6DApoNpFR_Rk4J1T-Hz1fJwyxju6MXa9EfzgN3KVARJf5kVCZtUBTSH0jIm81e/s200/fca65687e6b5772d920ff7f758cd9eed.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Sleeves<br />
Ohio State University</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>Does your pattern have bishop
sleeves, coat sleeves, or pagoda sleeves?</b></i><br />
<b>bishop</b>, you have
many options. Sheer cotton, heavier
weight cotton, wool, and silk can all be made up into bishop sleeves. They were perhaps the most common sleeve
shape in the 1850s, and carry over into the 60s. They are not a very fashion forward sleeve,
but they are still very common.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrTkDO1jhN2Ltx0FX-WmAGLYI6sltgOcFyzqdWnA1yZ2SaiDAU2qUI28fF46i2F1-Eo5RHsAmhDVGBzTCQUrSyyNizkWHq_JPscWohFBiU2W-w1wAx7b_e9BNdQJ8WAGq7GpHSvVrA9d5/s1600/beb8c45588b479a8cafaef9479e4c455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrTkDO1jhN2Ltx0FX-WmAGLYI6sltgOcFyzqdWnA1yZ2SaiDAU2qUI28fF46i2F1-Eo5RHsAmhDVGBzTCQUrSyyNizkWHq_JPscWohFBiU2W-w1wAx7b_e9BNdQJ8WAGq7GpHSvVrA9d5/s200/beb8c45588b479a8cafaef9479e4c455.jpg" width="126" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat Sleeves<br />
Kerry Taylor Auctions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you answered <b>coat</b>, again you have
many options. Cotton, wool, and silk
were all made into coat sleeves of varying widths, and were fashion forward, so
you will see more fashionable dresses with coat sleeves, as well as working
attire. Sheer cottons can be made into
coat sleeves as well, but a tight coat sleeve in a sheer cotton is less common.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDIMqtpFioSYB5LB_VstKDLK0sq9EpB4YR_31U1DPm5vBmWepC3RHkMhDmsa1wet4vvp42ywDzuULOeKEADTVVH35X-pwbxKkwHmvsA6NYvm5XMDJXHcC4l4d6yhxDa8olhtAkCiXuSHx/s1600/d283a1234e0ce0a31178ffaa495c755a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDIMqtpFioSYB5LB_VstKDLK0sq9EpB4YR_31U1DPm5vBmWepC3RHkMhDmsa1wet4vvp42ywDzuULOeKEADTVVH35X-pwbxKkwHmvsA6NYvm5XMDJXHcC4l4d6yhxDa8olhtAkCiXuSHx/s200/d283a1234e0ce0a31178ffaa495c755a.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pagoda Sleeves<br />
Mary and Nicholas Winne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you answered <b>pagoda</b>, you are
again more limited. Cotton dresses were
very, very rarely made with a pagoda sleeve.
In fact, they are so rare they are basically non-existent. However, sheer cottons are frequently made
into pagodas, and are frequently worn without undersleeves. Wool and silk, however, are commonly made
into pagodas. Pagoda sleeves were widely
popular in the 1850s, and begin to diminish as the 60s progress. You will see a lot of silk and wool pagodas
during the early years of the war, and they will get fewer and farther between
as the war progresses, as coat sleeves grow and grow in popularity.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Do you want a solid colored or
printed dress?</i></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIMYajFMwQubPrnwzyTPJYahojpKFYt46l_jj8EswvIcGfNuZ4fe7BpR34vzS1mbeCym46uBYXxMUeMvy3aoABqz_9uhrxsY2CpFbIQnxhybCp-UeTqWgyaqZD8slXEwRm7z9XWzjJqIz/s1600/striped+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIMYajFMwQubPrnwzyTPJYahojpKFYt46l_jj8EswvIcGfNuZ4fe7BpR34vzS1mbeCym46uBYXxMUeMvy3aoABqz_9uhrxsY2CpFbIQnxhybCp-UeTqWgyaqZD8slXEwRm7z9XWzjJqIz/s1600/striped+dress.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Courtesy <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 12px;">vintagetextile.com</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you answered <b><i>print</i></b>, you can use
any of your fabric options, cotton, sheer cotton, wool, or silk. In fact, during the era they had some pretty
incredible printed wools and silks that are unfortunately not available to us
now. Florals tend to be tricky, matching
a modern floral to florals used in the 1860s takes much training of the
eye. In fact, after 27 years in the
hobby, I’m still having trouble recognizing a good floral print without running
to my books. You will nearly always
(nearly - some are still not right) be
safe with a plaid. Plaids were HUGELY
popular during the 1860s.<br />
<br />
However, be
wary of Tartans. Clans can get rather
persnickety about usage of a registered tartan by someone not a member of the
Clan. Also, most tartans recognized now
were not invented until the early part of the 20<span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">th</span> Century. And also again, while plaids and clothing with
Scots influence were popular, there was no traditional Scots clothing for women
during the 1860s, and again it is not invented until the early part of the 20<span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">th</span> Century.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpeAVzFGnoPgTj-o0z1xkQ-dhexRsc456kB0xj7p035uqFKWVskpqvkceQ3VDvULfSH3sYIUcO-fXrrTenROVfh-TIGX0xTY5I0ltZvuFxKvNEwKgvyYqhLl5uMSqIu82iGqdYTTqoMpw/s1600/solid+purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpeAVzFGnoPgTj-o0z1xkQ-dhexRsc456kB0xj7p035uqFKWVskpqvkceQ3VDvULfSH3sYIUcO-fXrrTenROVfh-TIGX0xTY5I0ltZvuFxKvNEwKgvyYqhLl5uMSqIu82iGqdYTTqoMpw/s320/solid+purple.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solid light purple dress<br />
<a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/108195">Metropolitan Museum of Art</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you answered <i><b>solid</b>,</i> you are much
more limited. Solid cotton dresses are
vanishingly rare, possibly because cotton fades so much more quickly than wool
or silk, leading to strangely splotchy dresses.
In fact, I have yet to find a solid colored cotton dress dating to the
1860s. Wools and silks, yes! Hundreds and hundreds of wools and silks were
made in solid colors, likely because they take so much longer to fade. The exception is a solid colored sheer
cotton. Sheers were commonly made in
white or very very light colored pastels.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b><i>Do you want contrasting trim, self-fabric
trim, or no trim on your dress?</i></b><br />
If you answered <b>no trim</b>, and you
plan to “dress up” your dress with belts and other accessories alone, you can
make your dress out of cotton, wool, or silk.<br />
<br />
If you answered <b>self-fabric trim</b>,
meaning a ruffle or pleated trim made from the same fabric as your dress,
again, you can make your dress from cotton, wool, or silk.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlJK6_r9m1qusoWOXFT2QLqViZz0fRjQ8mYepigdQo79Bx1-H3hBIlZoKPshCBOkq5rPnHBR4gdjZUJoXXBQMuxnu2zg53v8aB7eHd22rdWYiT-fn0Xb_3-MJMoMsmzWpFeIdpqGxUUvp/s1600/black+and+blue+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlJK6_r9m1qusoWOXFT2QLqViZz0fRjQ8mYepigdQo79Bx1-H3hBIlZoKPshCBOkq5rPnHBR4gdjZUJoXXBQMuxnu2zg53v8aB7eHd22rdWYiT-fn0Xb_3-MJMoMsmzWpFeIdpqGxUUvp/s320/black+and+blue+dress.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS is how I should have <br />
made my blue dress! Wool fabric<br />
and black velvet trim - so striking!<br />
K Krewer Collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you answered <b>contrasting trim</b>,
you are limited to wool or silk. It is
very, very rare to find a cotton dress with contrasting trim. This is due to the washing techniques of the
era: a cotton dress can be washed, and
will be boiled, agitated, and dried.
Contrasting trim will shrink, shred, and all sorts of other unpleasant
things during the washing process, which means you will need to remove the trim
before you wash it, and add it again once it’s washed. If that sounds like fun (no!) well, go
ahead! But they apparently didn’t get
their kicks that way, as cotton dresses with contrasting trim is vanishingly
rare.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
This little guide is meant to help those starting out, and is in no way
intended to be preachy or argumentative.
Use it as you see fit (but please don’t reproduce this without my
express permission). If you can think of
a question I haven’t answered, please let me know, and I’ll address it! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aWOf5fcqZ7Qw6UtH5SM235CAWNU7VBgh2EHHWBxny0lEL6Z2UX3s3uXKc-5_sAVBARnM4uBs56c3CXwtyGeWYgBGyCQP_I4xHxvLeRKsJu_69NBz3UJvXV6x6KcwwvWxuzb2Dmgm9vac/s1600/Jennifer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aWOf5fcqZ7Qw6UtH5SM235CAWNU7VBgh2EHHWBxny0lEL6Z2UX3s3uXKc-5_sAVBARnM4uBs56c3CXwtyGeWYgBGyCQP_I4xHxvLeRKsJu_69NBz3UJvXV6x6KcwwvWxuzb2Dmgm9vac/s1600/Jennifer.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Thanks, Jennifer!! Jennifer McCardell Green is a 2nd generation reenactor with nearly 3 decades in the hobby, She is an avid researcher, and a moderator at the Civilian Civil War Closet on Facebook. Jenny is also a devoted wife to Jason, who she sucked into the hobby, and mother to Mac, 6, and Clara, 8 months, who are now the 3rd generation of McCardells in reenacting. In her spare time, she enjoys napping. If you have more questions for Jennifer, you can ask her and other reenacting veterans in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/163871317001244/">Civilian Civil War Closet </a>group on Facebook. Jennifer and others there will be happy to help you with period-correct advice for Civil War era outfits!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-90854193110846564422015-05-13T14:58:00.002-04:002020-08-04T16:09:10.112-04:00Anatomy of a Civil War Sheer Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB418dqw3flsayG0rfUM4Zm3q5gF5LOtR5QRbKGmZWnQ-TCRWoF4lk7eQb6Bx7KtORlS1p1pOLzegR0uO1PNvYanr04ayRW3-sbLJA2Z3falQIqR-zRuslH9feREZ6LmeDjMFRQWgui2p/s1600/sheer+dress.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB418dqw3flsayG0rfUM4Zm3q5gF5LOtR5QRbKGmZWnQ-TCRWoF4lk7eQb6Bx7KtORlS1p1pOLzegR0uO1PNvYanr04ayRW3-sbLJA2Z3falQIqR-zRuslH9feREZ6LmeDjMFRQWgui2p/s320/sheer+dress.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
Warm weather is here and for Civil War reenactors, it's time to bring out those sheer dresses!<br />
<br />
Wait, <i>sheer </i>dresses, you ask? The modest Victorians actually wore outfits that you could <i>see through?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Yes indeed! After all, what was there to see? Lots of undergarments, that's what! :)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV2HogQTR0auYBUzP5VCNehXguVsfS5wLBAsY5rQ-jKcLdedIu3zBELJNl7P6FIgArM7LAYdq2RML-lPWE8FAE7ZmuEe8ZjobcmLUiBLI6UufbcTA7X520rz3ifuEoIcElnf40AdrG8__/s1600/IMG_2722.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV2HogQTR0auYBUzP5VCNehXguVsfS5wLBAsY5rQ-jKcLdedIu3zBELJNl7P6FIgArM7LAYdq2RML-lPWE8FAE7ZmuEe8ZjobcmLUiBLI6UufbcTA7X520rz3ifuEoIcElnf40AdrG8__/s400/IMG_2722.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the 150th Kennesaw <br />
reenactment fashion show,<br />
I kept cool in my light weight sheer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Reenactors are often asked in the summer time whether they are hot in their 1860s outfits. The answer is, if you are wearing the appropriate undergarments and light weight summer clothes, you actually don't get much hotter than a person wearing modern shorts and a tank top.<br />
<br />
I can prove this from personal experience: When I attended the 150th Gettysburg reenactment, it was HOT and MUGGY. I was very warm and "glistening" by the middle of the afternoon. However, on the final day when I changed my 1860s sheer dress for shorts in order to take down the tent, I found that I was hotter in my shorts than I had been in my dress!<br />
<br />
Undergarments made from natural fibers like cotton soak up your perspiration and the damp clothing next to your skin cools you down. Add that to the fact that your skin is protected from direct sun, and it makes sense that an 1860s outfit can be comfortable even in the heat.<br />
<br />
So let's take a look at those lovely sheer confections that our foremothers were wearing in the summer. In some ways they follow the regular fashions of the times, but in others, they are quite different!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXfvs1yKkyK3U5xgweImKGremc3Y1o2h1_fTD4wfL2NNy2m2Y491MPw7CLvxaGuYlGpoC4_Ng7xkmaXgFkJ8eoWirdyqmoyr3sBkabcUHrl7QptBJAy4dz51wOx6zEq1gt5hW9QF9G9u/s1600/greensheer_ruching.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEXfvs1yKkyK3U5xgweImKGremc3Y1o2h1_fTD4wfL2NNy2m2Y491MPw7CLvxaGuYlGpoC4_Ng7xkmaXgFkJ8eoWirdyqmoyr3sBkabcUHrl7QptBJAy4dz51wOx6zEq1gt5hW9QF9G9u/s320/greensheer_ruching.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
A gorgeous green windowpane </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sheer silk fabric</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_sheerdresses2.htm">K. Krewer Collection.</a> </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Fabric</u><br />
Let's start with the fabric itself. Sheer or semi-sheer fabrics of the 1860s came in cottons, silks and wools (linen wasn't typically used for dresses). In some cases, it is pretty tough to tell if an original garment is cotton or wool because the feel of both types of those sheers is almost the same. <br />
<br />
Sheer dresses could be made from either solid-colored or patterned fabric, just as regular dresses were. Solids were fairly rare and almost always silk since dyes weren't dependably colorfast in cottons and wools. Solid white sheers could be worn in any of the three fibers. But even solid colors usually had some sort of design in the fabric weave itself.<br />
<br />
<u>Design</u><br />
While many sheer dresses are designed much like regular dresses - round collar, bishop sleeves, and so on - sheer dresses could also be designed for maximum coolness. It's quite common to see sheer dresses with v-necklines and open sleeve designs.<br />
<br />
On a sheer, undersleeves are not generally required (though some ladies still wore them). And it's also "allowed" to have a v-neck or crossover bodice that has no closure, such as buttons or hooks. The bodice is simply held shut with a small pin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFsRY-Z22UQ7EYT3Mt0Q3_NaANdgDRpwvnA9Y9UxoTwNasPfG-VK2lJbQiTOfJuX587BsfKChDKMfAJauv1kZEKS8xqhY1cGjirRjTJga6EDjloOIk7VsvbsmHLxOISU8YgwfzdLm5Ult/s1600/sheer7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFsRY-Z22UQ7EYT3Mt0Q3_NaANdgDRpwvnA9Y9UxoTwNasPfG-VK2lJbQiTOfJuX587BsfKChDKMfAJauv1kZEKS8xqhY1cGjirRjTJga6EDjloOIk7VsvbsmHLxOISU8YgwfzdLm5Ult/s320/sheer7.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Tucks on the bodice, sleeves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and skirt create interest. Sheer wool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Heather Hook Collection</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Trim</u></div>
Trimming on a sheer dress was treated rather differently than trim on a regular dress. Because the fabric was so delicate, and because the point of a sheer was to have a light-weight, airy dress, sheer dresses did not have heavy trim.<br />
<br />
In fact, most sheers and semi-sheers were "self-trimmed" - that is, they were trimmed with pieces of their own fabric made into ruffles or ruching. At first, this might sound rather boring. I mean, a dress that is "trimmed" with just more of the same? But when you start considering the possibilities of such adornment, there are really some fun options!<br />
<br />
<b><i>Ruffles and Ruching</i></b> - Large ruffles on the skirt create a "swishy" floating look that is so fun! Tiny ruffles on the bodice, sleeves or skirt could be gathered and sewn on in lovely designs. Small ruffles were often cut on the bias (diagonally on the grain of the fabric) so they didn't even need to be hemmed. In addition to a gathered ruffle, strips of fabric trim could be pleated or ruched into lovely designs. The green dress I show further up has box-pleated trim on the neckline and sleeves.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhLAOXkUVnMqIgjUaFhBgDfOZbsQLUSJ71eC16GRMGoiSYcUZ7lmM1uybWX3qOBCHZ-OIHlbRrFcou0r5GnsAhcyzU3N9Zu5ywE1DOOPDm-OmsNwNIusD4vZY5lTHuNE4CZLoRuU5IK3A/s1600/cwsheer5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhLAOXkUVnMqIgjUaFhBgDfOZbsQLUSJ71eC16GRMGoiSYcUZ7lmM1uybWX3qOBCHZ-OIHlbRrFcou0r5GnsAhcyzU3N9Zu5ywE1DOOPDm-OmsNwNIusD4vZY5lTHuNE4CZLoRuU5IK3A/s200/cwsheer5.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Light fabric binding </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on a ruffle edge</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_sheerdresses2.htm" style="font-size: 12.8px;">K. Krewer Collection.</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>Tucks</i></b> - There's nothing more gorgeous than a full flowing skirt with zillions of little tucks in it! The tucks were not only ornamental, they also helped give body to the fabric. Tucks could be used not only on the skirt, but also on the bodice and sleeves. Since a tucks doubles the fabric on itself, it creates a dashing, darker stripe effect on the sheer fabric.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Gathers</i></b> - Gathers at the waist, gathers on the sleeves - even gathers on the bodice! One of my favorite effects on a bodice is when the fabric is gathered onto lengths of piping. This keeps the gathers even down the bodice and creates a wonderful geometric design.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Ribbon</i></b> - An exception to the "no non-fabric trim" guideline is light-weight ribbon or soutache, or a fine, bias-cut strip of fabric. This was occasionally used either to highlight the self-fabric trim or to bind the edges of ruffles and ruching.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bT0QHAQzg1yVzNdFnD26-hShKlVNrdhZ6_UNvdUW7Zruw6t5vfiAQPROG6VUlcr7jUjaYgrMSaYPq6J9cJ10ajYqFgBvMzbqz_Ug4YgZsCwZS8hCG4fQ_4SoL6euaWJSQ4HEx1fvsCU-/s1600/sheerpolkadot7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bT0QHAQzg1yVzNdFnD26-hShKlVNrdhZ6_UNvdUW7Zruw6t5vfiAQPROG6VUlcr7jUjaYgrMSaYPq6J9cJ10ajYqFgBvMzbqz_Ug4YgZsCwZS8hCG4fQ_4SoL6euaWJSQ4HEx1fvsCU-/s320/sheerpolkadot7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabric of the bodice is <br />
gathered onto small piping or cording<br /><a href="http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_sheerdresses2.htm" style="font-size: 12.8px;">K. Krewer Collection.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eJeIwdA9PD2j1LRQnT0c3kM9qkTZAZ_1USCVWlQbhmZQ_OOkWhLP780swhNNMtaVQco1V8xW9pVAemBtvBd0It3wU8hpFvcvxAe9DH_uGDsCjyJPUetwDjP7_TKzcLMqodbN-z855Im5/s1600/sheer03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eJeIwdA9PD2j1LRQnT0c3kM9qkTZAZ_1USCVWlQbhmZQ_OOkWhLP780swhNNMtaVQco1V8xW9pVAemBtvBd0It3wU8hpFvcvxAe9DH_uGDsCjyJPUetwDjP7_TKzcLMqodbN-z855Im5/s320/sheer03.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Delicate lavender trim is centered</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on tiny ruffles on the bodice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From<a href="http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_sheergowns.htm"> The Graceful Lady</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Construction</u><br />
Sheer dresses are not only designed and trimmed differently from regular dresses, they are constructed differently.<br />
<br />
Obviously, the goal of a sheer was coolness and airiness. Thus, wherever possible, lining is dispensed with. Lining on any 1860s dress was partly for the purpose of protecting the fashion fabric from body oils. Thus, you will find lining on sheers was generally only where the danger from body oils was greatest - on the lower part of the bodice and under the arms. Sometimes there is no lining at all and the lady relied on her undergarments to protect the dress.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVenDpLG_tZzYrZ80yFr_BWxQLV_AyVf5H6ZVxlZmdXJo7Hw1toqZKYyu4ObNLZhHgT_GMZayq-1HdEOZrsnyJaVt8QETrL0M2d21eLfXjbnkDivJ8PdA3DIzsK2c2f5JbENfAD0kA6gKA/s1600/c56e5a44f59bc30c86f3dbbd8d89c0c4.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVenDpLG_tZzYrZ80yFr_BWxQLV_AyVf5H6ZVxlZmdXJo7Hw1toqZKYyu4ObNLZhHgT_GMZayq-1HdEOZrsnyJaVt8QETrL0M2d21eLfXjbnkDivJ8PdA3DIzsK2c2f5JbENfAD0kA6gKA/s320/c56e5a44f59bc30c86f3dbbd8d89c0c4.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady's lining fabric is clearly<br />
visible and her shoulders are left<br />
bare under the fashion fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you think about it, lining fabric on a regular dress is attached to the fashion fabric at the armholes, shoulders, side-seams and waistband, and probably in some darts. But in sheers, the "connections" are often only at the waistband and side-seams. The lining neckline could be dropped as low as the chemise neckline. In fact, bodice lining is often almost a stand-alone garment in sheers. In some cases, it even fastens separately from the fashion fabric.<br />
<br />
In many original photographs and paintings of ladies in sheer dresses, you can see the lining edge through the dress fabric. The lady's shoulders are often left bare except for the fashion fabric itself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_OfOWD_PZSTDU4n-Ptn1IbSlgTDg1pKxPVNcsRm4eXnFPR9kW6BufpOhJeMyg6vY6HRviteW9-A_RSpxINu1FOrWZzZ7L4F1wVpMZUB-I9JdDWAPa2bCwFz0b8G23Fd5FVhm71aURghO/s1600/PNJW+-+Sheer+dress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_OfOWD_PZSTDU4n-Ptn1IbSlgTDg1pKxPVNcsRm4eXnFPR9kW6BufpOhJeMyg6vY6HRviteW9-A_RSpxINu1FOrWZzZ7L4F1wVpMZUB-I9JdDWAPa2bCwFz0b8G23Fd5FVhm71aURghO/s640/PNJW+-+Sheer+dress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Accessories</u><br />
Once again, the goal of a sheer was usually to have an airy, cool outfit. So you won't see tons of jewelry, watches, chatelaines, and such worn with sheer dresses. Heavy accessories could tear or snag the delicate fabric, not to mention look incongruous with the overall "floating" appearance. Earrings, a small brooch and possibly bracelets seem to be the extent of most ladies' jewelry with sheer ensembles.<br />
<br />
However, it is common to see a lovely belt and/or a floral corsage with a sheer dress. Belts could be self fabric (stiffened with some heavier fabric underneath), or they could be a contrast color. Belts ranged from a simple solid colored ribbon to elaborate bows or buckles and rosettes. The fun thing about a belt (as I know from experience) is that it is an easy way to change or update the look of the dress!<br />
<br />
Don't these two dresses just "pop" with their belts?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmsz-hhMsuqOySGisb8sBG8RJwUIv0yvGWcQGKx9A-ZuOGIo2MT-CcfKovoV0FIyfCxBC87O0Oy7U31e2dK7aOU6JomZbCT0NFfbNvCGyRzrd2RczFTyquGszOrq__IKhFijaz-b1zvpA/s1600/bea02cb2132113a42d1c2e0b5d7c41f4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmsz-hhMsuqOySGisb8sBG8RJwUIv0yvGWcQGKx9A-ZuOGIo2MT-CcfKovoV0FIyfCxBC87O0Oy7U31e2dK7aOU6JomZbCT0NFfbNvCGyRzrd2RczFTyquGszOrq__IKhFijaz-b1zvpA/s320/bea02cb2132113a42d1c2e0b5d7c41f4.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
"The Yellow Butterfly"</div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
Jean-François Portaels</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dtKf02QE25ULSGdYSlu8EOCjv4CctS1VVpUJ1WwU69SZDLZmAF160jzfYRScb8vFBG2IoQ82H1EzW7E5pwjK54zv8RGgJfYPlVAm3DxKlxk7a2QFZuon9pHuLfr_h9dmtRxiHwn01ZDC/s1600/sheerpolkadot1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dtKf02QE25ULSGdYSlu8EOCjv4CctS1VVpUJ1WwU69SZDLZmAF160jzfYRScb8vFBG2IoQ82H1EzW7E5pwjK54zv8RGgJfYPlVAm3DxKlxk7a2QFZuon9pHuLfr_h9dmtRxiHwn01ZDC/s320/sheerpolkadot1.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White with black dots sheer cotton <br /><a href="http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_sheerdresses2.htm" style="font-size: 12.8px;">K. Krewer Collection.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you want to see a lot more original sheer dresses from the 1860s, check out <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hezpetunia/civil-war-sheer-dresses/">my Pinterest board here.</a><br />
<br />
For a final fun picture, here is me with my mom and sis in our semi-sheer outfits - feeling cool - in more ways than one! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3xUfFs8GPXxBvse3WfAtg-4pC-0S81gF6Uji3Pexa0McDAZoe6UsZOOka1yHv-GAXsoE6tymu4CYFy5DpU6IXWyyEmnLK9dPvXHUA-gIIG3yW7jLtAjea0UG7kVi7F-Yxm6gl6RCePwK/s1600/we+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3xUfFs8GPXxBvse3WfAtg-4pC-0S81gF6Uji3Pexa0McDAZoe6UsZOOka1yHv-GAXsoE6tymu4CYFy5DpU6IXWyyEmnLK9dPvXHUA-gIIG3yW7jLtAjea0UG7kVi7F-Yxm6gl6RCePwK/s400/we+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And since I make rosette belts for my shop, I had a great time making us matching belts to go with our matching dresses! Ain't we cute? </div>
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(And if you want to buy one of my belts, click on the link below.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUEpR5rZjeZ6siRzgW4a3wuxsOcoZknJ-6KNPhyL_9laMIA1hugdGQRSIT6Vk_R61tI4IRzddAJNdBc0WDIZ6Hf2BOL7Rxmj115EWKft9A5bsyBt0SNNPdSlQ9tgIwZ9rzIoqWiHfOtHl/s1600/Belt+ad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUEpR5rZjeZ6siRzgW4a3wuxsOcoZknJ-6KNPhyL_9laMIA1hugdGQRSIT6Vk_R61tI4IRzddAJNdBc0WDIZ6Hf2BOL7Rxmj115EWKft9A5bsyBt0SNNPdSlQ9tgIwZ9rzIoqWiHfOtHl/s320/Belt+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://creativecockades.ecwid.com/Rosette-Belts-c13603415"><b>CREATIVE COCKADES</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-55163300106064378912015-05-08T22:14:00.000-04:002018-01-17T20:09:08.661-05:00Rosette Belts in the 1860s<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVpNw0Zkg1qNSSHexONCMfmHbXlJ6RBn9EpX9ZLeRcKSLk2NXpe_RAUjFVMhS62HRWGK7x-_7cBTsgGB3EsBowaFR9kl8na335bH3gRA9G3xyD_OTL-tg0jQBFqzb64eaCK8cC6RwE3r5/s1600/rosette+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVpNw0Zkg1qNSSHexONCMfmHbXlJ6RBn9EpX9ZLeRcKSLk2NXpe_RAUjFVMhS62HRWGK7x-_7cBTsgGB3EsBowaFR9kl8na335bH3gRA9G3xyD_OTL-tg0jQBFqzb64eaCK8cC6RwE3r5/s320/rosette+belt.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean-Francois Portaels<br />
"The Yellow Butterfly"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the mid-1860s, rosette belts became fashionable. During the '50s, the waistlines tended to be dropped and pointed in the center. Thus, belts didn't work very well with those styles. But by the mid-60s, waistlines had risen and straightened out and belts were once again in style!<br />
<br />
It's fun to see the various types of rosette belts that were created. Some were of a solid contrasting color to the dress. Some were of the dress fabric itself. And some were quite fancy - being adorned with stripes, edging, buttons or even stars!<br />
<br />
It's been fun to make rosette belts for myself and my family. I'm always amazed at how a simple dress can become really sharp looking with just the addition of a nice rosette belt! I've even had fun using my rosette belts for my modern outfits too. <br />
<br />
This are a few of my favorite 1860s outfits that include the original belt.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TPhwn421RX3GKnHP2Ajb0lyT-cJjbrQa7fXvqZH4XS6COb8keTd_AysSknBIcELW9Gs7sBOKJ7-E8Le0bZXqqN6QBWFXtECDTdaGZ1l2_xHtZQGAiT6sQVZgf8LVozIDDUL6-rBTG8Fx/s1600/360_CivilWar_02_BluePlaid_028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TPhwn421RX3GKnHP2Ajb0lyT-cJjbrQa7fXvqZH4XS6COb8keTd_AysSknBIcELW9Gs7sBOKJ7-E8Le0bZXqqN6QBWFXtECDTdaGZ1l2_xHtZQGAiT6sQVZgf8LVozIDDUL6-rBTG8Fx/s400/360_CivilWar_02_BluePlaid_028.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rosette belt made with self-fabric<br />
and edged with velvet<br />
<a href="http://bartoscollection.com/civilwar02smbluplaid.html">The Barrington House Collection</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcVm0_m6ELmxPY3KxKkpUrcgjoEvzKLRqOjMdhtaZ3kYwH8tRRsvA2on6vEak6-k84lOug4atuUZ8_Iukq7ry2sj44eFVGfdyCpujHOQnRt1hRS9oBdFYXTMoJvMTSKLhaSn1e6UNIDCZ/s1600/rosette+-+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcVm0_m6ELmxPY3KxKkpUrcgjoEvzKLRqOjMdhtaZ3kYwH8tRRsvA2on6vEak6-k84lOug4atuUZ8_Iukq7ry2sj44eFVGfdyCpujHOQnRt1hRS9oBdFYXTMoJvMTSKLhaSn1e6UNIDCZ/s640/rosette+-+dress.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Another self-fabric belt with edging</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">FIDM Museum S94.661.5A-D</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_xJyf0spjWakNPYTrA3eABNZtqqzrSO8ATGava1tnYVPEuGjDg0l_QuEAIjOX3wdGwEqJmXdhL0Vh-6E0-ct5UwBpd99UIuZatkNLebMf4sXWXy74FDlA9cNAFUnDo55EnRVvDEL6Aid/s1600/rosette+-+day+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_xJyf0spjWakNPYTrA3eABNZtqqzrSO8ATGava1tnYVPEuGjDg0l_QuEAIjOX3wdGwEqJmXdhL0Vh-6E0-ct5UwBpd99UIuZatkNLebMf4sXWXy74FDlA9cNAFUnDo55EnRVvDEL6Aid/s400/rosette+-+day+dress.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Follow the link to see close-ups - This<br />
belt is made from two fabrics and lace!<br />
<a href="http://www.extantgowns.com/2013/01/mid-1860s-green-dress.html">ca. 1865 Day Dress</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwHYf3_BB3lbRMqgKyhwtzeaQh975piiRKk8Fi6sN7O-A6IReyQ_wHvyGrWxcF9HQ29VYleZ7uKbESmz1X0r1qmJYXUxFv-hd4uqC02WAf4wq35V9oSWvFK42CMX2vmI6hyphenhyphenYLKxb-5zqR/s1600/rosette+-+wrapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwHYf3_BB3lbRMqgKyhwtzeaQh975piiRKk8Fi6sN7O-A6IReyQ_wHvyGrWxcF9HQ29VYleZ7uKbESmz1X0r1qmJYXUxFv-hd4uqC02WAf4wq35V9oSWvFK42CMX2vmI6hyphenhyphenYLKxb-5zqR/s640/rosette+-+wrapper.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh fun - even the wrappers can have <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">rosette belts!</span><br />
ca. 1869<br />
<a href="http://charlestonmuseum.tumblr.com/post/36137352148">The Charleston Museum</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOxgiwp-FJ69EmA84eOyI_z5enuMn0W2RE0MrwE4h0bBei1_PfdSzpkoXy0pESPexlzpAQAJq1oNPngiyuIo2yhpliG0f1zVdI9IKsu86_IYjIzAd9jPWsjS2f36rtehlbV_ckJg0muT0/s1600/1868-isabel-alvarez-montes_med-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOxgiwp-FJ69EmA84eOyI_z5enuMn0W2RE0MrwE4h0bBei1_PfdSzpkoXy0pESPexlzpAQAJq1oNPngiyuIo2yhpliG0f1zVdI9IKsu86_IYjIzAd9jPWsjS2f36rtehlbV_ckJg0muT0/s640/1868-isabel-alvarez-montes_med-2.jpeg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Ball dresses could have rosette belts too!</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<a href="http://www.gogmsite.net/iberian-style-between-1837-/1868-isabel-alvarez-montes-.html">Isabel Alvarez Montes</a></div>
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Of course, it's always fun to see the rosette belts in "real life" as well. Here are some lovely photographs showing rosette belts.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnTLM4qugIINqdhB6P4sqBcSbuBg9AhI-SMdjGD8ITd0L2yWzLZIprLsckPMYsGUShzTaIB-GEV-RZVX0-MR01T9vkOZ6I4ZyBfZC2XL8xfK7BY5QbqoxiZ9kQ43npKRdbadJPlQxGMF1/s1600/rosette+-+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnTLM4qugIINqdhB6P4sqBcSbuBg9AhI-SMdjGD8ITd0L2yWzLZIprLsckPMYsGUShzTaIB-GEV-RZVX0-MR01T9vkOZ6I4ZyBfZC2XL8xfK7BY5QbqoxiZ9kQ43npKRdbadJPlQxGMF1/s640/rosette+-+girls.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Two girls with self-fabric rosette belts<br />
Seen on eBay</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ROU645k1pIpyJgjZUAGp2iKc5bGupwAocEwjc8nR3RIqHefivVmP1ihyphenhyphenPzoUZb5UwQXY-w4vy7U36Z-5OsA0L_-MPNnTQFfp4PiweAD5lU2k305MDSIeva8q4A72scloSk9-A5nZk5PV/s1600/rosette+-+star+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ROU645k1pIpyJgjZUAGp2iKc5bGupwAocEwjc8nR3RIqHefivVmP1ihyphenhyphenPzoUZb5UwQXY-w4vy7U36Z-5OsA0L_-MPNnTQFfp4PiweAD5lU2k305MDSIeva8q4A72scloSk9-A5nZk5PV/s640/rosette+-+star+belt.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Rosette Belt with Stars<br />
Seen on eBay<br />
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And this one is from my collection!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBnmgiKwLw-DEX6zdHvDtoV0s2RteKzZVe5wLVlbfkFCsuQovyOrPRB1RvQkro9ANmrd_SWcmyMOaoaNc-zEn20IO2oGl7-bg1eU5fkOf-tlxgRbjoMq6nEwTSq9rywAt0Q41BO93nmzd/s1600/Rosette+Belt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBnmgiKwLw-DEX6zdHvDtoV0s2RteKzZVe5wLVlbfkFCsuQovyOrPRB1RvQkro9ANmrd_SWcmyMOaoaNc-zEn20IO2oGl7-bg1eU5fkOf-tlxgRbjoMq6nEwTSq9rywAt0Q41BO93nmzd/s640/Rosette+Belt+2.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
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So what does one look like in real life? Well, here are some pictures of my mom and I wearing them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BM7ADLTnYsGt-7B5guhWBK_fxUg0cj1kja0-FxBZN5qlV_-7_vJhToK7TpgleKuDjJNg671tg53Pgk-pKIqcIDPCKFHpbaVGqDwYwMOotzWCwxlye2t7lNTqWZPuQryX6nKdIZwS6z-C/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BM7ADLTnYsGt-7B5guhWBK_fxUg0cj1kja0-FxBZN5qlV_-7_vJhToK7TpgleKuDjJNg671tg53Pgk-pKIqcIDPCKFHpbaVGqDwYwMOotzWCwxlye2t7lNTqWZPuQryX6nKdIZwS6z-C/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguBJKwacOlMkjffEPF31RN-JjMG1UZyvA9Y-Z_5TPXgh9b2XM6RlicurEWnKkt4zFp05KML_JBFjKfPFWAC0D29y5NyxgK8nqTBewdsE2kMDzLg09X-LjANnlETlRAhW_wYBQ9Z60Uuib/s1600/Yellow+Bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguBJKwacOlMkjffEPF31RN-JjMG1UZyvA9Y-Z_5TPXgh9b2XM6RlicurEWnKkt4zFp05KML_JBFjKfPFWAC0D29y5NyxgK8nqTBewdsE2kMDzLg09X-LjANnlETlRAhW_wYBQ9Z60Uuib/s320/Yellow+Bow.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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And just for fun, here's one I wore recently on a modern dress!! See? Victorian fashions are still in style!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf3YnLaNNtPUEsSvk1YVC5gWYUAycvimbvx8y67wMgOSNbboEiHBwgilqOd7txt_MlfiJ092-MrcnJKnf2UvnHp8JkB3_Dbt4ETUgWLCA5Lj5hhs5Hga80yk3is75tRAo3dKDm0-xd9dW/s1600/rosette+belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf3YnLaNNtPUEsSvk1YVC5gWYUAycvimbvx8y67wMgOSNbboEiHBwgilqOd7txt_MlfiJ092-MrcnJKnf2UvnHp8JkB3_Dbt4ETUgWLCA5Lj5hhs5Hga80yk3is75tRAo3dKDm0-xd9dW/s320/rosette+belt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So if you've decided you need one for yourself, </div>
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check out the ones <a href="https://creativecockades.ecwid.com/Rosette-Belts-c13603415">in my shop!</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzoVKeGIp_Frw3uBaE9166OqR0dkBYOHgSmThno3bgJ_81ru4wLGBI1alxNfU-sPdJbqownjaE64uyUMiLn0RwQG8BFYAIYzntD-UQrYwGEheUqqTuTmukgKqchlhZ0Z15RH78f1XJiGF/s1600/Belt+Collage+-+Rose+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzoVKeGIp_Frw3uBaE9166OqR0dkBYOHgSmThno3bgJ_81ru4wLGBI1alxNfU-sPdJbqownjaE64uyUMiLn0RwQG8BFYAIYzntD-UQrYwGEheUqqTuTmukgKqchlhZ0Z15RH78f1XJiGF/s320/Belt+Collage+-+Rose+Colors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483491473798745143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-58861759657704539902015-04-27T21:25:00.000-04:002015-05-02T22:06:10.388-04:00Anatomy of a Civil War Ball Gown<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7p7RPhGfi4FokljATyedah_10GQ8xzUyAshW1qyJ74jFtY0A33E3ha6NeSJYztyDATrZ4Zj9uhRmw2uWso9Ou_qwFWQKbDB7CiRWNNgxYODzztQRsuwJSnxNqPuco8uTX-FgTathd0Kl/s1600/anatomy+of+a+civil+war+ballgown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7p7RPhGfi4FokljATyedah_10GQ8xzUyAshW1qyJ74jFtY0A33E3ha6NeSJYztyDATrZ4Zj9uhRmw2uWso9Ou_qwFWQKbDB7CiRWNNgxYODzztQRsuwJSnxNqPuco8uTX-FgTathd0Kl/s1600/anatomy+of+a+civil+war+ballgown.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
Since we help to host<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Victorian-Events/713407035356779?sk=timeline"> three Civil War balls</a> in the South Carolina Upstate, we often get questions about what a Civil War ball dress looks like. Some folks think all you need is a Big Skirt and presto - an 1860s ball gown! Um, sorry folks - not quite! :)<br />
<br />
Think of how fashion works today. Can you immediately tell the different between a 1981 wedding dress and a 2011 wedding dress? Of course! But let's a say a Time Traveler from AD 2200 looks at a photo of Princess Diana and Princess Kate side by side in their wedding dresses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_Y1XCDnEkGOgjlW1YMvMK3BhrnoIzCWhLdFI-OT4rtHguMHkT6eZh2F7K1yg3mRTC_wLweKi0-l9kbeTOzT_Pcbw_V-i23kE29-fX_1-RJUw_mbKduRJRd58Ey0aJKqC-bxwWSKJNdY/s1600/Princess+wedding+dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_Y1XCDnEkGOgjlW1YMvMK3BhrnoIzCWhLdFI-OT4rtHguMHkT6eZh2F7K1yg3mRTC_wLweKi0-l9kbeTOzT_Pcbw_V-i23kE29-fX_1-RJUw_mbKduRJRd58Ey0aJKqC-bxwWSKJNdY/s1600/Princess+wedding+dresses.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a>Her first impression might be, "Hey, they look pretty much the same! Big skirt, tiara, long veil, white and green bouquet. Cool, now I know how to make a vintage wedding dress!"
But of course, there are quite a number of differences that make Diana's dress 1980s and Kate's dress 2000s.<br />
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The same is true with Victorian dresses. We may think a ballgown from the 1840s looks pretty much the same as 1850s or 1860s. We may even have seen so many Hollywood versions of a Civil War ball gown that we think <i>that </i>is authentic. But a little study will show us that there are some unique features of Civil War era ballgowns that make them distinct from other eras (real or movie version).<br />
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If you want to look beautifully period-correct, keep the following details in mind!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXNX8AaxqjSAbAFxmfmEp6jyWwA6LaZleSAo75i4Zl1ypYdNx3WmP4vbKFw_8BJY7IIYaoLxgsv_9ctHqBFhGGeYnP2Dg_qMENuvjcWXSA5IwHhBHw7nDZyJrHEEn5TpdWSptPg2cvuA/s1600/1860s-Ball-Gown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXNX8AaxqjSAbAFxmfmEp6jyWwA6LaZleSAo75i4Zl1ypYdNx3WmP4vbKFw_8BJY7IIYaoLxgsv_9ctHqBFhGGeYnP2Dg_qMENuvjcWXSA5IwHhBHw7nDZyJrHEEn5TpdWSptPg2cvuA/s1600/1860s-Ball-Gown.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress from Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accession Number <span style="background-color: white; font-family: SuisseLight, UrbanoLight, arial; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 20.1499996185303px; text-align: left;">1983.479.1a–c.</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>The Fit</u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC10w6sWBtPd9i9u8TV4RedZ49RJ2UhVCPQ3GqandzT3KVNHGzuSrUr8Q_BiuMyFMaIlTyyBlzch-iEuy0QJp77dmssZyLD59WQnHJ1Gc6O5-Hm36uqmlLztnOnXGPg9VRMN3vZGEmIk/s1600/badly+fitting+gown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuC10w6sWBtPd9i9u8TV4RedZ49RJ2UhVCPQ3GqandzT3KVNHGzuSrUr8Q_BiuMyFMaIlTyyBlzch-iEuy0QJp77dmssZyLD59WQnHJ1Gc6O5-Hm36uqmlLztnOnXGPg9VRMN3vZGEmIk/s1600/badly+fitting+gown.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rumpled look on the bodice<br />
is not period-correct</td></tr>
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The first thing to note about a period ballgown is how it fits - like a glove! Ballgown bodices of the era looked like they were molded to your body - which they were. To achieve the most period look, you'll need a well-fitted corset, chemise and cage crinoline (also known as a hoop). However, if you're only seeking to buy a costume and don't intend to fully reenact, then you can get by with putting a LOT of boning in your bodice. Either way, what you want to avoid is the "unmade bed" look of a rumpled, badly fitting bodice.
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<br />
Notice this "pretty dress." See all the rumples and wrinkles on the waist? This immediately tells the experienced viewer that this is an off-the-shelf dress not made to fit you properly. If you're just looking for a fun costume, this is fine. But don't be fooled into thinking it looks like a period 1860s ballgown!<br />
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<u><b>The Figure</b></u><br />
When you see a ballgown from the 60s, you are looking at a beautiful hourglass figure. Even short chubby ladies (like the 5'2" Mary Todd Lincoln) look slim-waisted wearing the 1860s style. A properly fitted corset is the best foundational garment to start your look off right. After that, there are three main things that achieve this look:<br />
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- <i>Dropped shoulder seams.</i> This is universal for all dresses in the Civil War era. Lots of lace, ruffles, and flowers are added to the shoulder/bust area to widen out the "top of the hourglass."<br />
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- <i>A high waistline.</i> It should be just under the bottom edge of your rib cage, right about where you elbows are<br />
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-<i> A smoothly flaring skirt.</i> There should be enough bones in the hoop underneath to create a smooth outline. And there should be enough fullness is the skirt and petticoats to be full and "swishy!"<br />
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<u><b>The Fabric</b></u> </div>
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Nothing screams "Cheap Costume" like a dress made with the wrong fabric. Also, nothing is more uncomfortable than a dress made with the wrong fabric! Our ancestors were pretty smart when they chose the fabrics for their ballgowns. Period-correct material for an 1860s ballgown will have the following features:</div>
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- <i>Natural fiber.</i> This usually means silk, although there are some very fine, sheer cottons that can work as well. NO POLYESTER. Polyester is plastic. It's like wearing plastic wrap around yourself. Picture yourself doing an energetic dance in a warm room covered in plastic. UGH! Natural fibers "breath" and are therefore far more comfortable for warm activities like dancing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0dL84zmENFnNJuVHlpliJdQkS-hIAByKoXelcPGdDNmalctoyNCWpALdER6VqO8ZhI_j2h78Ib2rWfgygy44D9f4ksjdkKsiJC_gCGe9DCkqdB593X6H1_kmGgRhssIGIpw3BAptcd0/s1600/calico+ballgown+-+no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0dL84zmENFnNJuVHlpliJdQkS-hIAByKoXelcPGdDNmalctoyNCWpALdER6VqO8ZhI_j2h78Ib2rWfgygy44D9f4ksjdkKsiJC_gCGe9DCkqdB593X6H1_kmGgRhssIGIpw3BAptcd0/s1600/calico+ballgown+-+no.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calico fabric on a ballgown?<br />
Perish the thought!</td></tr>
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- <i>Light weight.</i> Don't make the mistake I did when I made my first ballgown - I chose a heavy, gorgeous drapery fabric! Yowzers, that ballgown was heavy and stiff enough to stand on its own! 1860s ladies knew that extremely light and "floaty" fabrics would be much easier to dance in. And they look absolutely breathtaking when you are swirling around the ballroom!
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- <i>No cotton calicoes, small prints, or "bedspread-looking" material.</i> In the 1860s, small prints and calicoes were considered materials for work dresses - or even men's shirts! Definitely not ballgown material. Go for silks in solids, stripes, plaids, or old-fashioned embossed/embroidered designs (if you're confident enough to tell whether it's truly an 1860s design). No "Little House on the Prairie" fabric for the ballroom!<br />
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<i>- All colors. </i>Nearly all of the colors we have now were available to our ancestors. Contrary to Hollywood myths, there were no colors assigned only to "ladies of the night." In fact, middle-aged and older ladies could wear just about any color they pleased. It was considered decorous for young ladies to stick to whites and pastels. A silk ballgown could be any solid color from white to yellow to red to black. Plaids and stripes mixed up several colors. Civil War ballrooms were brilliant and colorful!<br />
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<b><u>The Frills</u></b><br />
A lovely, well-fitting, swishy silk ballgown can still be ruined by adding incorrect trim. So let's look at what types of "frills and furbelows" the Civil War era ladies used.<br />
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<i>- Lace.</i> Not our modern, heavy, shiny, polyester lace. Our ancestors used beautiful, fine lace made from cotton or silk. And the<i> only</i> colors available were black, white or cream. Yes, it's hard to find good reproductions! However, if you shop on eBay, Etsy, and other sites that sell vintage materials, you can often find pieces of original lace that are in good enough condition to use on a ball gown. I have also occasionally found modern lace that was workable, but it's important that it be very fine and not have that shiny look of polyester.<br />
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<i>- Ribbon.</i> If you can find silk taffeta ribbon, nab it for your ball gown! But if you can't (it's hardly ever made any more), a faux silk taffeta or a silk satin ribbon can work also. Ladies of the 1860s used silk ribbon for ruching (intricate pleating designs), bows, and rosettes. Check out original fashion plates to get ideas!<br />
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<i>- Flowers.</i> Silk, velvet or parchment flowers are your best option. Once in a while I find a cotton or polyester flower at Hobby Lobby that can be made to work by removing all traces of the plastic middle and plastic leaves. The options for floral decorations are endless. Some ideas are: A single corsage for your bodice, a garland around your shoulders, knots of flowers at your shoulders, flowers used to loop up an overskirt, and flowers at your waist. Once again, original fashion plates are a great resource.<br />
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<i>- Overskirt.</i> This is a good place to mention those overskirts. Too often we see reenactors wearing heavy, clunky overskirts that sag in between the loop-ups like a tired bedskirt. :) Overskirts of the 1860s were often made of light and airy fabrics such as silk organza or Chantilly lace. Both of those options can be expensive so some budget-conscious substitutes can be polyester organza or a very fine, light-weight re-purposed lace curtain. (At which point, my audience says, "I saw it in the window and just couldn't resist it!" :giggle:)<br />
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<b><u>The Real Thing</u></b><br />
So let's take take a look at some original ballgowns and see how these features look in real life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaK1_C2qKLpD2YKi2b0pADhD9S-H4-HVLycHiWzhmlrDTTW17hEwOFHYtDHrIFVJK2jMCH2SqcbcSc8_Z3nwUDhyphenhyphenhQxFrdIMdqx3yP0ofH7Yngkf_aRCqxkVc2BRzWevTcQaYH1QfWvle/s1600/3d20058ad96f7431814014462d5a95c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaK1_C2qKLpD2YKi2b0pADhD9S-H4-HVLycHiWzhmlrDTTW17hEwOFHYtDHrIFVJK2jMCH2SqcbcSc8_Z3nwUDhyphenhyphenhQxFrdIMdqx3yP0ofH7Yngkf_aRCqxkVc2BRzWevTcQaYH1QfWvle/s1600/3d20058ad96f7431814014462d5a95c7.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
This gorgeous plaid gown from <a href="http://thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals_eveninggowns.htm">The Graceful Lady's</a> website is a great example of what the basic dress should look like. The bodice fits smoothly, the sleeves are darling little puffs with a self-ruffle of scallops, and the skirt is full and beautifully pleated to the waistband.<br />
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This dress would have included some type of trim, which was probably removed later to be reused on another gown. Lace was expensive and was re-purposed whenever the fashions changed. Flowers and ribbons would have been lightly tacked on so they could be removed and refreshed as the seasons passed and fashions were updated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJK5OFdmnCMbjGbuYWSeB-A4RoCpUIFTxjpfqfJYNn_SugCmhkArScSZWnlhIPLveamOT6TySHjUKfj2qc1A6hkZSM38cJNlyUTni9uPW_vDaA1wW53LLhG1y0f-6ysctLth_r5vd-5_O/s1600/33969161dc58a073fcba630221a393bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJK5OFdmnCMbjGbuYWSeB-A4RoCpUIFTxjpfqfJYNn_SugCmhkArScSZWnlhIPLveamOT6TySHjUKfj2qc1A6hkZSM38cJNlyUTni9uPW_vDaA1wW53LLhG1y0f-6ysctLth_r5vd-5_O/s1600/33969161dc58a073fcba630221a393bd.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
This beautiful lilac silk gown, seen on eBay, is early 1860s as evidenced by the tiered skirt which was a holdover from the 50s. The edges of the tiers are cut in scallops.<br />
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Another evidence of the date is the long pointed waist. Points were "in" during the 50s, but by 1865 the straight waist was becoming more popular. (The plaid dress above is thus probably a later date than the lilac dress.)<br />
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Noticed the fine, filmy lace on the bodice. This dress likely had some ribbons or a corsage originally, and it was removed to be reused.<br />
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This dress is an excellent foundational design that can be embellished in many ways with ribbons, lace and flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G-DFVFnqFAGlzC1lTfUEfjt97n25mmW2NVtqDT4zzQmMbGjO6-ywwBUHOmln_3zWFQkT6eQ-M4Pz3hHHfP3rnf3mzw7RIkv40CF-O9X-qYTuC2d92O181vByMVvC4Wo_HL8_MkOmmKo8/s1600/tumblr_n2cozqh9jF1qf46efo2_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G-DFVFnqFAGlzC1lTfUEfjt97n25mmW2NVtqDT4zzQmMbGjO6-ywwBUHOmln_3zWFQkT6eQ-M4Pz3hHHfP3rnf3mzw7RIkv40CF-O9X-qYTuC2d92O181vByMVvC4Wo_HL8_MkOmmKo8/s1600/tumblr_n2cozqh9jF1qf46efo2_500.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
This gown is a wonderful mixture of lines and contrasts. The dark portions are olive green velvet ribbon. The <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hezpetunia/civil-war-ballgown-tucker/">tucker</a> really stands out on this dress. A tucker, by the way, is a lace or netted channel around the bodice edge through which ribbon was thread. This ribbon could then be tightened to hold the bodice edge smoothly against your skin.<br />
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The ruffles are some type of sheer silk, probably organza. I love how the bottom ruffle is straight around the skirt, but the middle ruffles are wavy. That's a bit complicated to pull off.<br />
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Once again, the pointed waistline tells us that this may be early 1860s. Can you imagine this dress floating around the ballroom?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7ld9C9FqjHuxmr-glqZqbuUwY4Ru5AdLXsAHNFNFshne7YKS0_7Ck1XNIbqqjlMFqWr7Kd6IOWBbTe4AUPx1p-CpZovt1YhYmgG6zTr6NDK7O2RLZHKJKg_aqG7nFZmNs6AtjV6rT-Ki/s1600/tumblr_lrfuemp3Np1qf46efo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7ld9C9FqjHuxmr-glqZqbuUwY4Ru5AdLXsAHNFNFshne7YKS0_7Ck1XNIbqqjlMFqWr7Kd6IOWBbTe4AUPx1p-CpZovt1YhYmgG6zTr6NDK7O2RLZHKJKg_aqG7nFZmNs6AtjV6rT-Ki/s1600/tumblr_lrfuemp3Np1qf46efo1_400.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a><br />
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Here's a final confection for us to drool over. This dress was worn in 1860 by Mrs. David Lyon Gardiner to a ball in honor of the Prince of Wales at the Academy of Music, New York City. It is one of the famous <a href="http://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MNYO28_4">"Worth Collection."</a> I love the designs in the fabric in this gown!</div>
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I do believe I "need" a ball dress like this for
myself! :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you'd like to look at more ballgowns from the Civil War era, I have a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hezpetunia/civil-war-ball-gowns-i-love/">Pinterest board</a> you might enjoy. I have included some gowns from the 1850s (right before the war) as well as the 1870s (after the war) so you can compare their features to the 1860s gowns. Enjoy!<br />
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If you are making or ordering a ballgown for yourself and would like more detailed input on its design, I recommend you join the Facebook group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/163871317001244/">The Civilian Civil War Closet</a>. The members there are happy to help those who are interested in research.<br />
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So there you have it! Just keep in mind the proper <b>Fit, Figure, Fabric and Frills,</b> and you'll be on your way to creating a lovely period-correct ball gown!<br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-56696779117097158272013-06-05T14:58:00.000-04:002015-10-14T14:06:43.521-04:00Ladies' Caps of the Civil WarHats and bonnets have been standard Civil War ladies' headgear for many years. But a new field of research is opening up as several vendors are offering a third option: Caps. More and more women are realizing that there are a number of occasions when a cap is the most appropriate item to wear.<br />
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There are many terms used to describe ladies' caps of the 1860s, but I'm going to divide them by these three categories: Breakfast Cap, Day Cap and Evening Cap. <br />
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<u>Breakfast Caps</u><br />
As Godeys Ladies Book noted, these were "a fashion becoming more and more universal since breakfast caps are now made extremely <i>piquante</i> (sic) and becoming." "Breakfast" or "morning" caps were generally worn with a wrapper while the lady was at home, perhaps doing housework or handwork. Typically only family and very close friends would see you in a breakfast cap and wrapper. These around-the-house caps were usually made in a gathered form to cover the hair (possibly still un-coiffed for the day). Here are a couple breakfast caps from Godeys Ladies Book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG3MD1C4vNXObsTO0c1eV5n-FAyWYujvrpdjmnAtQzkPWK58LmznzX2R0pJmAQkXuy9zQYmVHE8M9yvnJatL5AIOeEOMpOvBrqHDrMFqplY28MokuA2MBGtbeyHvt9JzLdHeIBCC1pWY/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG3MD1C4vNXObsTO0c1eV5n-FAyWYujvrpdjmnAtQzkPWK58LmznzX2R0pJmAQkXuy9zQYmVHE8M9yvnJatL5AIOeEOMpOvBrqHDrMFqplY28MokuA2MBGtbeyHvt9JzLdHeIBCC1pWY/s320/breakfast.jpg" /></a></center>
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<u>Day Caps</u><br />
Day caps, unlike breakfast caps, were typically worn to be seen. Generally worn indoors and at home, some pictures that indicate ladies may have worn them to church or other gatherings, possibly under their bonnets or put on once they arrived. <br />
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Day caps could be gathered like breakfast caps, but we also see many other styles from tiny little triangles of lace and ribbon to gloriously frilly confections dripping with lace lappets, ribbons and flowers.<br />
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This is a picture from Godeys Ladies Book of a day cap. I love this illustration because it shows both the front and back views. We are told this cap is created from muslin and trimmed with ribbons and flowers.<br />
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<a href="http://archive.org/stream/GodeysLadysBookJune1864/gdy061864#page/n13/mode/2up/search/cap"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTBgpLSHrbU2VFdtZXqbg8_oOOD4lDxSJgOtt1ZfFnKZNR4TSMf5s51mpUx6Mwlz_mhzHTeGozD7msHKz2zD_9a_ykMTqk0KLfx02kXwYYhBNXi82et1ibDJifsZ5FTJjYXpTkFllpIk/s1600/day.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTBgpLSHrbU2VFdtZXqbg8_oOOD4lDxSJgOtt1ZfFnKZNR4TSMf5s51mpUx6Mwlz_mhzHTeGozD7msHKz2zD_9a_ykMTqk0KLfx02kXwYYhBNXi82et1ibDJifsZ5FTJjYXpTkFllpIk/s320/day.jpg" /></a></center>
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This is a lovely picture of a lady with a day cap. She looks so calm and peaceful and pretty! Interestingly, her outfit is almost the same as the Godeys print above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu_Q8lENnTJ6navqvNYXq8hN7SbJbhxF_ESvNaf0462SaTQGNiAtvqMHcFhCpIJxWH6JoZgRuNFGitEzVvCbUp_nzhM01sN9bjasQ4QbuDUcuqX181Rh4IEZ6VkzS-oO8SLQogCPAWD0/s1600/lady+with+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu_Q8lENnTJ6navqvNYXq8hN7SbJbhxF_ESvNaf0462SaTQGNiAtvqMHcFhCpIJxWH6JoZgRuNFGitEzVvCbUp_nzhM01sN9bjasQ4QbuDUcuqX181Rh4IEZ6VkzS-oO8SLQogCPAWD0/s320/lady+with+cap.jpg" /></a></center>
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<u>Evening Cap</u><br />
An "Evening" cap or "Fancy" cap was for formal wear. Beautiful lace, velvet ribbon, beading and flowers were used in profusion. Evening caps could be many styles, from tiny foundations of lace or muslin to large headdresses with dangling lappets and ribbons. <br />
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Here is a Godey's print from 1863 of a lady in a dress of "garnet silk" and "black velvet ribbon and bows." Her cap, amazingly enough, is made from tulle and trimmed with "apple-green velvet." Wow, what an eye-catching combination!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuitYZjHDGl7EnsM6wIatNxnzmp91eS68QzfhShojd8aVVjYAAbNUAbrqvBZh1YvV1j9XXvBTE8UHThCjzTBU2e8hOTVU3K41NO9nHId6or-KX1dKWMJymQXxBmJCHAnfm0UEjJNTzN2c/s1600/fancy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuitYZjHDGl7EnsM6wIatNxnzmp91eS68QzfhShojd8aVVjYAAbNUAbrqvBZh1YvV1j9XXvBTE8UHThCjzTBU2e8hOTVU3K41NO9nHId6or-KX1dKWMJymQXxBmJCHAnfm0UEjJNTzN2c/s320/fancy.jpg" /></a></center>
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This is just a very brief overview of some basic types of caps. I look forward to learning more about cap styles as I continue to research this lovely ladies' item. Terms like Widow's cap, Marie Stuart cap, Fancy cap, and more keep popping up and I'm working on sorting out the differences. <br />
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There are many stunning examples of caps surviving in museums and private collections. I have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/hezpetunia/civil-war-ladies-caps/">Pinterest board</a> of some of them. Here's one that I love to drool over!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsxXXWl_NCS7PaI7equWUU67fr1N1xGAmWgVWPnFpZzI1lQ6hiNmFOVeJaGkms3PS02qO0kAa6caTZt2hgU_ZkcSKSPElbYWOzPiml3lYFq7jm0pIRrBO_j9d1rnqBqKEmXc2OWHBmvE/s1600/ea9f510685b00a7a54f4e177e8c10e8a.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsxXXWl_NCS7PaI7equWUU67fr1N1xGAmWgVWPnFpZzI1lQ6hiNmFOVeJaGkms3PS02qO0kAa6caTZt2hgU_ZkcSKSPElbYWOzPiml3lYFq7jm0pIRrBO_j9d1rnqBqKEmXc2OWHBmvE/s320/ea9f510685b00a7a54f4e177e8c10e8a.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum</i></center>
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Meanwhile, I'm happy to see more and more ladies wearing these caps in reenacting. They can be worn by docents reenacting indoors and by ladies camping "at home" at their tent. If you are interested in purchasing a cap for yourself, there are several vendors doing a lovely job of re-creating them. Since my mom is one of them, I'll post a picture of one of her latest creations. :)<br />
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Link to Mom's shop:<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/southernserendipity">www.southernserendipity.etsy.com</a><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-91547345168776052482012-06-20T12:27:00.000-04:002012-06-20T12:27:17.535-04:00Victorian Peaches and CreamVictorians loved coral and ivory jewelry. And they loved wearing those colors as well. I enjoyed looking through both vintage and repro Victorian items on Etsy recently that were coral and ivory... and since I made an Etsy Treasury, you can enjoy those items too!
<script src='http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=3&l=MTI2NzMxMTJ8MjcyMjk3MTQ4OA&r=52759&t=s&m=0&u=12673112&'></script>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-5315568588374103142012-02-27T19:41:00.015-05:002018-04-21T22:06:47.330-04:00Reenacting Is Not For The Faint-HeartedLots of people think that we reenactors wear uncomfy corsets, hot wool coats, and sit around in funny looking tents while spectators stare at us. They have no idea what other EXCITING things can happen in a reenactor's life. Like the "fun" we had this weekend at the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.battleofaiken.org">Battle of Aiken.</a> And for the record, I think I'm the only family member who (still) maintains that it was FUN. :D<br />
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We arrived on Thursday and set up our campsite with great, albeit, windy weather. Everything looked nice and spiffy by Thursday evening. We downed some yummy homemade stew and pie and got set for a (hopefully) peaceful upcoming three days of the reenactment. Little did we know...<br />
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Does this look peaceful and organized?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfylQF-__c6tt0F_6doFViykBEFk4VvSW0PiThw7m0mQnnnMPJFelSX2qqIRvXyxwKAzTVXi_yQpNB6aSvp1Yaun8kOM-uyBky4abybPvz043nWmTr4xeycoRyCp6K9pWfXzgbuK0vyA/s1600/IMG_1738.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713988221643978546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfylQF-__c6tt0F_6doFViykBEFk4VvSW0PiThw7m0mQnnnMPJFelSX2qqIRvXyxwKAzTVXi_yQpNB6aSvp1Yaun8kOM-uyBky4abybPvz043nWmTr4xeycoRyCp6K9pWfXzgbuK0vyA/s400/IMG_1738.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Bad weather was predicted for Friday morning so we figured we'd have to deal with some rain and wind. No problem, the breeze would dry us out by Sunday afternoon, when we'd pack up our canvas and head home. Ha. The best-laid plans of mice and men and reenactors...<br />
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So Friday morning, Dad heads out bright and early to the campsite. He calls us at the hotel. "Don't dress out today, they've canceled the school day activities because of predicted bad weather. It's raining and windy here." Okay, no big deal. Sometimes these things happen at reenactments where we're all at the mercy of the weather. We show up in "civvies" - that is, pants and shirt and jacket. It's definitely raining and windy. <br />
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Not to worry though. We have Big Plans for shopping. We snag Lucy, who had camped out with her hubby Walt and our other unit member Dave, and head for the sutlers! After an exceedingly productive morning, wherein we help Lucy pick out ball dress fabric and buy sundry other necessities for ourselves, we head back to the campsite. <br />
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By now, there have been several false alarms of impending tornadoes, hailstorms, blizzards, and miscellaneous atmospheric agitations. However, it's still just windy and spitting rain. No biggie. Although we do keep an eye on the weather radar via our period-correct 1860s wireless telegraphs. :D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwkjn1FNdIm_UxZd6FyMkEl2mUGlXxlxnsAjpCgSBmsbzOyFPZt_0kI9CFbBP5QZUHdqoJhXNxpJ_vBD-AVTQgKdDit5QjznmxdtY2xcAkfBD0vof-wJxT6ySdd3H26xT792eUjV-5BI/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713988230496108002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwkjn1FNdIm_UxZd6FyMkEl2mUGlXxlxnsAjpCgSBmsbzOyFPZt_0kI9CFbBP5QZUHdqoJhXNxpJ_vBD-AVTQgKdDit5QjznmxdtY2xcAkfBD0vof-wJxT6ySdd3H26xT792eUjV-5BI/s400/IMG_1743.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile, we dig out food for lunch. Dad heads up the hill to the fry bread tent for his meal while we dig in the cooler for sandwich makin's.<br />
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A staff car roars by about now, with the occupants hollering that a "bad storm cell is coming!" No problem, we've heard that before. We continue muddling with lunch and Mom observes that she will pinch Dad when she sees him for leaving water in the bottom of the cooler to soak the bread. She has no idea we're about to get all the water we can handle and then some.<br />
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A sudden gust of wind knocks over half of our camp furniture. In case you're wondering, this means it was a LARGE gust of wind. Our furniture is heavy, solid, period-correct wooden tables and chairs. As we're struggling with the furniture, another gust of wind brings blinding rain and starts whipping the canvas flies around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDiWgQcBZ4IAVvqEb3OrLlFOqPAH2ZDyAa266KC9FDgudh-9XnCDXBfD-liEei6Tr4dd1xYFwTiB75L0nnkgVW6d8Ac_Wps28sFhZLGIN3udK4-zrkQ1Wo1nqQ7JBjmhBgbBVxfVcqEA/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713989962386773634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDiWgQcBZ4IAVvqEb3OrLlFOqPAH2ZDyAa266KC9FDgudh-9XnCDXBfD-liEei6Tr4dd1xYFwTiB75L0nnkgVW6d8Ac_Wps28sFhZLGIN3udK4-zrkQ1Wo1nqQ7JBjmhBgbBVxfVcqEA/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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(When we first told this story, a friend of ours didn't know what a fly was. So for those who are not of The Illuminated Ones Who Have Seen The Elephant, a fly is a canvas awning held up on all sides by poles and ropes. Our flies (we have three) are each 12' X 12'. Walt and Lucy had a fly up as well. In addition, we had three tents between us all. Because our flies were hooked together, we had three hefty wooden ridge poles down the center. Imagine all of this flopping wildly around and you get the picture.)<br />
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Speaking of pictures, we're kind of nuts in that we take pictures when it looks like the imminent end of our existence (such as when our van caught on fire and burned up by the side of the highway in 2001, but that's another story). So here's a picture I took when the first gusts started.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTulhuy0OlWJHQOJTnF3rN2sEyGSJ_fyJtz15muj21wopfsGLfSWEZbMdOwga_WIhcAywk7TPnqHa-4TyXDV027MdZXy7C_BVY0k0hbD8iTug62vU6LrHV250_mMlES69a1SzelnjOpK4/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713989971506799698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTulhuy0OlWJHQOJTnF3rN2sEyGSJ_fyJtz15muj21wopfsGLfSWEZbMdOwga_WIhcAywk7TPnqHa-4TyXDV027MdZXy7C_BVY0k0hbD8iTug62vU6LrHV250_mMlES69a1SzelnjOpK4/s400/IMG_1746.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The fly poles were now literally lifting off the ground so we all ran to grab them. Except I think Lucy stayed in the tent and prayed. Water was pouring off the flies in sheets, onto us (naturally). Another gust of wind blew the furniture over again. Raquelle, hanging onto the middle fly pole for dear life started shrieking, "I can't hold it! I can't hold it!" Walt, valiantly grasping another pole looked over to his setup and drawled in his low-key way, "Well, there goes our fly." Sure enough, his tent fly went over with a crash and completely enveloped he and Dave's wood-working setup. Fortunately, they had hastily shoved all the sandwich makin's back in the tent as the rain first started. Here's the wreckage of Walt's fly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKMJ7FS9E9v1sIKaTq54wMyGQXmA0rI-TBvABmQHWKvbzcYupclLj5_qHAjcWXQIIpqj5hFraIzI_hyphenhyphenpBSoAUdrWiwCHPXLQKxkK7WeiKr3HLFbf2JFqXimYeVBBQKJz2OgGsQ0Uh_ec/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713988252308951218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKMJ7FS9E9v1sIKaTq54wMyGQXmA0rI-TBvABmQHWKvbzcYupclLj5_qHAjcWXQIIpqj5hFraIzI_hyphenhyphenpBSoAUdrWiwCHPXLQKxkK7WeiKr3HLFbf2JFqXimYeVBBQKJz2OgGsQ0Uh_ec/s400/IMG_1750.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Our two front flies were now flopping around so dangerously that I started hollering, "Let it go! Let it go!" Unfortunately, we had neatly tied everything together the day before so they couldn't "let it go." I yelled for a pair of scissors and our blessedly organized mother handed them to me in three seconds. I jumped up on a chair (that was still standing) and started whacking away. The two flies went down with a whoosh. <br />
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You do realize that by this time we were all completely soaked, right? The temperature was in the high 60s though so at least we weren't cold.<br />
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There was now only one fly and three tents standing. And the one fly was flopping wildly too. It was also neatly tied... to the tent. I dove in with my scissors and a moment later the final fly was heading for the ground. Right then, Dad came up.<br />
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He had been helping to hold the tent poles at the fry bread place. Once their fly blew down, he figured he'd better head back for our setup. As he headed down the hill, he saw everything still standing, so he put his head down to keep the rain out of his eyes. When he arrived at the campsite about 30 seconds later and put his head back up, everything was DOWN. He was a little startled, to say the least.<br />
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This is him bringing down the final fly ridge pole and me looking businesslike with my scissors. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK-aAzYYi6hWcEObk2lDoO96pdmGfZWZ4LNPika8dYAgrsTNMcw-k80tyQKnxtESJMmk_i9b2xoBD7cmzIMsbxILPGCYpVwk5DTEtM2yVvIsGHIJUGBgYRgEPapUzjC2GctInbr44xnA/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713989973157747570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEK-aAzYYi6hWcEObk2lDoO96pdmGfZWZ4LNPika8dYAgrsTNMcw-k80tyQKnxtESJMmk_i9b2xoBD7cmzIMsbxILPGCYpVwk5DTEtM2yVvIsGHIJUGBgYRgEPapUzjC2GctInbr44xnA/s400/IMG_1753.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68CPt1Gt0jvbUvqeb7doqt896WJ8eib0psaeEXDAUi3VzAaMrZ7KhRFcu5dZvdO66XyHmydWuXJ2l_4yKI5sKGNg0yn9RFXjaHXFIOdav2RmXquWUddc_P3t4vhV6re86bsqTPQKYgKY/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713988244642833234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68CPt1Gt0jvbUvqeb7doqt896WJ8eib0psaeEXDAUi3VzAaMrZ7KhRFcu5dZvdO66XyHmydWuXJ2l_4yKI5sKGNg0yn9RFXjaHXFIOdav2RmXquWUddc_P3t4vhV6re86bsqTPQKYgKY/s400/IMG_1749.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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We untangled all the ropes and let everything fall, then went into the tent to wait out the storm. We were sopping, soaking messes. The storm passed in a few minutes and then we stepped out to view the carnage. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU8c9hXNg1ZfuIPS8Wk-escgEXSm1oUH55AhB9x7tQBjXFRDmfy5jna8kl93_hRacFsgqFigPkZ2u3JMO3Mhd2iFIjDidJ2NETkQ8WA4OlebiODhppdPVUskguWHRvm6kTIMkT0CAwY4/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713989984079684530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU8c9hXNg1ZfuIPS8Wk-escgEXSm1oUH55AhB9x7tQBjXFRDmfy5jna8kl93_hRacFsgqFigPkZ2u3JMO3Mhd2iFIjDidJ2NETkQ8WA4OlebiODhppdPVUskguWHRvm6kTIMkT0CAwY4/s400/IMG_1754.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Both wall tents were still standing. The A-frame was standing too, but its ridge pole looked really funny - in fact, it looked like the ridge pole had completely snapped off and was only held in place by canvas. (We found later that the poles weren't snapped off, just majorly bent. See below.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVQLyra6JEUGbUbIi8oDS3dkgjv2GDSt0w52kfdvjLuxKmFfyqhv7m3i-EFziHXVfoz3QlO8sOEUESXhsdqIFMDH9hqhE0aQ3AyNn9Qg2MGPhgn57oVbs-iFydxKgjrLaSpGl-zpMiKY/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713992959729900530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVQLyra6JEUGbUbIi8oDS3dkgjv2GDSt0w52kfdvjLuxKmFfyqhv7m3i-EFziHXVfoz3QlO8sOEUESXhsdqIFMDH9hqhE0aQ3AyNn9Qg2MGPhgn57oVbs-iFydxKgjrLaSpGl-zpMiKY/s400/IMG_1767.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Our carnage wasn't as bad as some other folks' though. Several sutlers' tents were down, either blown away or in shreds. Doesn't this look awful? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRwAQON1ykPGJeQYj8yxv5prNroEuhqwS6N9z2-16i00aS5BA6SwXyyYDcwOcUPyKKEcvLNjIG_-iyx-VU6u8z7zmQPVyA9UNq7unRjQAclmyuCaGRn1uyvfVPIbPAFZPytvPzNwZL0g/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713989997986071522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRwAQON1ykPGJeQYj8yxv5prNroEuhqwS6N9z2-16i00aS5BA6SwXyyYDcwOcUPyKKEcvLNjIG_-iyx-VU6u8z7zmQPVyA9UNq7unRjQAclmyuCaGRn1uyvfVPIbPAFZPytvPzNwZL0g/s400/IMG_1757.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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However, reenactors are rather resilient people. After the ladies sojourned into town to dry off (in a hotel without power!), we came back to find our engineering guys had fixed the A-frame, set up the four flies and straightened out the furniture. (A trip to Home Depot and the sutlers next morning provided a new ridge pole for Walt and a new fly for us since one of our shredded.) Not to mention, getting a roaring fire going. All that was left was to throw on the chili and get out the pie and rolls. Here's our lovely repast at the end of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIY6ZlrZOOEfQd0y9i4n_bd_FVptn9xqfku8p8xHUrHnU0lXKXvq2p24fRllCDZYuknm_V-ZD-1sr8hBYYssWPGmcSdWXjnM0_slMxAKf4dDN0Qr2STwlVvrKNO0Ci9fnzLZPgATjiAg/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713992962576444834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIY6ZlrZOOEfQd0y9i4n_bd_FVptn9xqfku8p8xHUrHnU0lXKXvq2p24fRllCDZYuknm_V-ZD-1sr8hBYYssWPGmcSdWXjnM0_slMxAKf4dDN0Qr2STwlVvrKNO0Ci9fnzLZPgATjiAg/s400/IMG_1768.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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And as for the rest of the weekend, we were blessed with beautiful (if still somewhat windy) weather which was good 'cause Mom and I had some new outfits to show off! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityURiKPmxrGKhQqPpq3QxxOn0pUjrEBePZbD891ts_zT5GAEUQSAWIlSSqCpifKcf2G9YQeNKi__DD2OeG4pC1h9fPLD-QuRGqghAzq1YEPmjbASXhztF6pzR9DxhtiZwf2AQVz-1pYQ/s1600/IMG_1799.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713992952216665538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityURiKPmxrGKhQqPpq3QxxOn0pUjrEBePZbD891ts_zT5GAEUQSAWIlSSqCpifKcf2G9YQeNKi__DD2OeG4pC1h9fPLD-QuRGqghAzq1YEPmjbASXhztF6pzR9DxhtiZwf2AQVz-1pYQ/s400/IMG_1799.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSykObP-JWivdUz5uRo_ZZnbRfj4HDVgUkbxynHzo99VL6Aa-JBvkZJCqzGBj-2W49NN2wyCRta5BuSyEEBrR8LL96Z3ZIwWhQpOEQQfbhWCeIFtXKGl7c21IgOU8fMcSAhiA7gpAJmNc/s1600/hez+edited.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713992944188743506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSykObP-JWivdUz5uRo_ZZnbRfj4HDVgUkbxynHzo99VL6Aa-JBvkZJCqzGBj-2W49NN2wyCRta5BuSyEEBrR8LL96Z3ZIwWhQpOEQQfbhWCeIFtXKGl7c21IgOU8fMcSAhiA7gpAJmNc/s400/hez+edited.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfffgzlyE4y-PiaItj9X4ELc6Sn0WELgc1dGZH47RRdJhRrzhuBoAqyCxvL9Y8D2VFkaZIJrh2i5d-XzEbqSwp8_PLQAlX6GbdpKBeEJmtJPG-TxPwj2KLF1WPNiCxvXQ_eaJ8MFyanQ/s1600/Mom+edited.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713992937130252834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfffgzlyE4y-PiaItj9X4ELc6Sn0WELgc1dGZH47RRdJhRrzhuBoAqyCxvL9Y8D2VFkaZIJrh2i5d-XzEbqSwp8_PLQAlX6GbdpKBeEJmtJPG-TxPwj2KLF1WPNiCxvXQ_eaJ8MFyanQ/s400/Mom+edited.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br />
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And a really fun picture... Mom with her <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.creativecockades.etsy.com">Secession Cockade</a> and Mom's dolly Flora with HER Secession Cockade!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGxQyEPscmZ9QW9exoiwSX2S6jUEzhxSkE3UwhdWJHhsZ6fekRhYiPSXlSj981VC7-PZID_Wz62qBXyGLzll0tzKioIdAu61Zw0m5JZP7HS1mNdcY7iKxOTg2pRP1qalcQpDVJsTaGw/s1600/cockades.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713994066222623298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGxQyEPscmZ9QW9exoiwSX2S6jUEzhxSkE3UwhdWJHhsZ6fekRhYiPSXlSj981VC7-PZID_Wz62qBXyGLzll0tzKioIdAu61Zw0m5JZP7HS1mNdcY7iKxOTg2pRP1qalcQpDVJsTaGw/s400/cockades.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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So if this account didn't scare you off, come see us at the next reenactment! And remember, reenactors lead exciting lives!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-51864472817008841842012-02-09T20:09:00.000-05:002012-02-09T20:55:29.511-05:00Button Up!<h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTA5ODEzN3wyMTExMjEwODUx"> 'Civil War Era - Button Up!' </a> by <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/southroncreations"> southroncreations </a> </h2> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> Though they didn't have modern plastic in the Victorian era, they had a large variety of other materials for buttons (sliced antlers, anyone?). And there were always the ones you could make yourself!<br> </h2> <table style=" border-spacing: 8px; width:auto; border-collapse: separate; line-height:19px; "> <tbody><tr> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57196800" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.294035018.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57196800" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> SALE 50pc Vintage Glass Butt... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/treasurebooth" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> treasurebooth </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.50 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82605718" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.273835720.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82605718" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Black Glass Button... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> victoriansenti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $40.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91974648" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.308207999.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91974648" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Vintage Glass Buttons 4 Clea... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kalliedesigns" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> kalliedesigns </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.99 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91211283" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.305498372.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91211283" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> 4 Antique Black glass Button... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thrulisaseyes" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> thrulisaseyes </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $10.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92444343" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.307176155.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92444343" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Clear Pink Transparent Vinta... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButtonFinder" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ButtonFinder </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $4.45 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91044512" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.304745743.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91044512" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Genuine Horn Buttons (4) Coa... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopHavanaBanana" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ShopHavanaBana... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $12.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92643931" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.310663269.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92643931" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Antique victorian black glas... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LushRocks" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> LushRocks </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $4.95 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78113582" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.258155550.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78113582" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Dorset Buttons - Red </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverLiningSewing" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> SilverLiningSe... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $15.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81117113" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.268649322.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81117113" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Set of 2 VINTAGE Sliced Antl... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/abandc" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> abandc </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $2.25 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89740982" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.300005889.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89740982" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Pair of Very Large AESTHETIC... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/outsiderartsupply" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> outsiderartsup... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $75.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91988261" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.308261147.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91988261" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> 9 Vintage Clear Glass Button... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButtonMercantile" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ButtonMercanti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87778328" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.292876990.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87778328" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Pressed Horn Butto... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SkeeterBitz" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> SkeeterBitz </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91393570" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.306165110.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91393570" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> antique Lot 33 carved Bone ... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GothicPetunia" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> GothicPetunia </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $6.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89428567" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.298778239.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89428567" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Handmade Dorset Buttons - Se... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/southroncreations" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> southroncreati... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $8.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79243918" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.262039713.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79243918" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Antique Buttons Black Dyed H... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/worn2perfection" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> worn2perfectio... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $36.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " height="170px" width="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91558147" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.306767174.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91558147" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Two Pure Silk Dorset Crosswh... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lindmel" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> lindmel </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $5.80 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style=" color:#B2B2B2; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a href="http://redrowstudio.com/tools/treasury.php"> Treasury tool </a> by <a href="http://redrowstudio.com">Red Row Studio</a>. </p> <br /><center>The above are vintage or handmade buttons you can buy now to recreate a Victorian outfit. But now, how about looking at some vintage outfits to study some lovely buttons ladies made in the past?<br /><br />Fabric covered buttons were very popular. Ladies would use horn, bone or other available articles for the button form and sew the fabric around it by hand. This is a cute double button style from a wrapper.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkbU1dC4De7m4IgBZ93h_24CiWWen0m5vTKnnEJPneUexLaY7W-psWko_1B3NLQlMbksol6sc0B-3lBjj2MEKKErTA9MegmDENc0x0Rfb-VuOqEmomce6KeIe1g176Cn32fLfL5nYiI/s1600/met-wrapper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkbU1dC4De7m4IgBZ93h_24CiWWen0m5vTKnnEJPneUexLaY7W-psWko_1B3NLQlMbksol6sc0B-3lBjj2MEKKErTA9MegmDENc0x0Rfb-VuOqEmomce6KeIe1g176Cn32fLfL5nYiI/s400/met-wrapper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707313168218459282" /></a><br />Of course, you could make those fabric buttons even more fun by putting them in a bed of lace!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU9t2-Gp0lXBFKmLvWyyibs-aQHUb5mx_g9uYwXOGlhLow-CoothRczNiM4vm48IuwE07uaMmnERwHdBQUNJhaD0hmA1bTgRW9ZaW-CS6FyyY3Cw9LZrJNTfXgaNQT0lFQE9NuiBUlbw/s1600/chocolatestripedsilk5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU9t2-Gp0lXBFKmLvWyyibs-aQHUb5mx_g9uYwXOGlhLow-CoothRczNiM4vm48IuwE07uaMmnERwHdBQUNJhaD0hmA1bTgRW9ZaW-CS6FyyY3Cw9LZrJNTfXgaNQT0lFQE9NuiBUlbw/s400/chocolatestripedsilk5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707313195718090018" /></a><br /><br />Here are some big showy fabric buttons on another wrapper.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwmV8JyXFqPiYz6Spf8kaIr24ce7zlySuGJO59my-s6xTpXT50j9B5qZLDl16QpggYS1DuKUJ2DrFuKvgdXnEpwbMEiFdNUOy02HV6cpbDGNkVVd85gnaqMEbVEFW0vbXY2Dq0TzCTlw/s1600/wrapper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwmV8JyXFqPiYz6Spf8kaIr24ce7zlySuGJO59my-s6xTpXT50j9B5qZLDl16QpggYS1DuKUJ2DrFuKvgdXnEpwbMEiFdNUOy02HV6cpbDGNkVVd85gnaqMEbVEFW0vbXY2Dq0TzCTlw/s400/wrapper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707314581466794722" /></a><br /><br />Another favorite button style was glass. So shimmery and pretty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh4Mq7KuFyQPbKBjb_XJDAcdxOE4hZ-yvt2M0gfJ6fEQNMDvEcFQc2tjswLYIWWT6ritiRK4bP3b9JEndGL3jZRdxxk9Dvs6ZERLj_l4qDrQpH5BHhHqJC0fLrWU_v-0d-QwDhTmKRPs/s1600/scallopedhem_bluecheck5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh4Mq7KuFyQPbKBjb_XJDAcdxOE4hZ-yvt2M0gfJ6fEQNMDvEcFQc2tjswLYIWWT6ritiRK4bP3b9JEndGL3jZRdxxk9Dvs6ZERLj_l4qDrQpH5BHhHqJC0fLrWU_v-0d-QwDhTmKRPs/s400/scallopedhem_bluecheck5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707312522122765874" /></a><br />A twist on fabric buttons - these are silk buttons with a mesh net over them. Wow!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dDOMZJJboDQBKonk8GCRfjCMYlfei18I6uayR-m4MWJ-ODAu816FlLpYEv2WhIcpzlTgVTmGtZwUr2ZkY3z5ZquMWbQoQurvmg0v5JYz2gTgPeUM8k_8Fdh2R13mlECAxsmMFV0OHyU/s1600/506854903_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dDOMZJJboDQBKonk8GCRfjCMYlfei18I6uayR-m4MWJ-ODAu816FlLpYEv2WhIcpzlTgVTmGtZwUr2ZkY3z5ZquMWbQoQurvmg0v5JYz2gTgPeUM8k_8Fdh2R13mlECAxsmMFV0OHyU/s400/506854903_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTOhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif_ID_5707311943713655010" /></a><br /><br />Now we come to the really fun ones - <a href="http://www.britishbuttonsociety.org/20070401DorsetButtons.htm">Dorset buttons</a>! These are handmade buttons woven onto a ring. Some are solid, some are hollow. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTytFH1UvUfC2Hpfgr6Rx1o92yof0HxGBrkHGrH4ExZWuKdSrVZ4ifTZQgyiixDHeXqR4XZ924QHx7V704zVlUQHK8BMfBgHOz8QN6yeS4GDHgicpSVfWEwCnXJQEqcBpnoMl-0I3Gcs/s1600/sept4027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTytFH1UvUfC2Hpfgr6Rx1o92yof0HxGBrkHGrH4ExZWuKdSrVZ4ifTZQgyiixDHeXqR4XZ924QHx7V704zVlUQHK8BMfBgHOz8QN6yeS4GDHgicpSVfWEwCnXJQEqcBpnoMl-0I3Gcs/s400/sept4027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707313196987085938" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNYguYje9UTGUeKmzp2R25WA6nyIN3tXBTWKKIh99TllZhSHGGbFhjPu2-KvxGdXQr-kyq-0lGBRJ15l2cLG2SwiOEeT9iRpFTTl1Nqy1Evc2YWuQ22K8M72H4lhHbfKibe5KUCGjcu0/s1600/sep381.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNYguYje9UTGUeKmzp2R25WA6nyIN3tXBTWKKIh99TllZhSHGGbFhjPu2-KvxGdXQr-kyq-0lGBRJ15l2cLG2SwiOEeT9iRpFTTl1Nqy1Evc2YWuQ22K8M72H4lhHbfKibe5KUCGjcu0/s400/sep381.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707311949483465250" /></a><br /><br />Here's a close-up. Isn't this neat?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07nCyGBYxEYGK7ld0aMsC_GYnjyPYg3SJkbpMfgjkACFPywECt7LNtxxtIlUc_zLQpwhuqJgmjG2ikEpu2ewoE7U7Kb1nuulRzngY6BMyGCuRO1LdfZCH9xCyPyMPX0s55hFyf1PMCXc/s1600/brownsilkbodice3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07nCyGBYxEYGK7ld0aMsC_GYnjyPYg3SJkbpMfgjkACFPywECt7LNtxxtIlUc_zLQpwhuqJgmjG2ikEpu2ewoE7U7Kb1nuulRzngY6BMyGCuRO1LdfZCH9xCyPyMPX0s55hFyf1PMCXc/s400/brownsilkbodice3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707315618240826882" /></a><br /><br />I just couldn't resist trying these myself. Here are some I made for Mom for Christmas. Don't you think they'll look smashing on a jacket?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WGnmKh5M6EM3bxqQLZ5wCufB9VtLOSBPctzFe0IBtBQyQ2Zq55Ss8ZHsd18mWz920ZKDSEdSIqhWODnQ01fNf-kn_6c7GLuUpBCT5VbvgLtsi_PjmMDu0A5QkZmAEliDFeLhanFL6fY/s1600/2012-02-09+20.43.50.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WGnmKh5M6EM3bxqQLZ5wCufB9VtLOSBPctzFe0IBtBQyQ2Zq55Ss8ZHsd18mWz920ZKDSEdSIqhWODnQ01fNf-kn_6c7GLuUpBCT5VbvgLtsi_PjmMDu0A5QkZmAEliDFeLhanFL6fY/s400/2012-02-09+20.43.50.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707317601865540418" /></a><br />And here's some I currently have listed in my <a hred="www.southroncreations.etsy.com">Etsy shop.</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh518QsJ1fKgM__pdUftg1HCQpE1uo-u0sF5qZKDnc5ubqI7U9g5I127lbgg0Fgd1reZM4TOZMKVKbO586hcXcFaF0zR02vMFHxFemNc-pUIgxm3szSma1huEZZWN8Y8bpI8vxSwvuYLRo/s1600/buttons1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh518QsJ1fKgM__pdUftg1HCQpE1uo-u0sF5qZKDnc5ubqI7U9g5I127lbgg0Fgd1reZM4TOZMKVKbO586hcXcFaF0zR02vMFHxFemNc-pUIgxm3szSma1huEZZWN8Y8bpI8vxSwvuYLRo/s400/buttons1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707317070244561330" /></a><br />Wow! Who needs plastic buttons anyway?!</center>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-52187943569325503032012-01-30T16:04:00.000-05:002015-05-02T14:33:55.043-04:00Having A Ball With Hair!!As promised, I'm going to give y'all some tips on creating a Civil War hairstyle for a ball. If your hair is shoulder-length or longer, you can use many variations of the following style.<br />
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First, follow the steps in my previous blog to part off front sections of the hair. Then create the bun, but this time, leave the ends of the hair draping down on one side. You can use a curling iron to make little sausage curls - we didn't have time to do this but you get the idea of where the hair goes from the photo. Twist or braid the front sections as before, but you can curl the ends if you want to add to the ringlets draping down. Or you can tuck the ends under the bun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPUm1GmbSPi7NB9cpGbLd8hxo1wRKVdYOEjeL_GwJ1bTMzAfvMVWVY6s3p1c0wAudYo3LEN_OnXa6onMVOc8yk4wvQvrBjD_DFJTUkfV6dOf8UEEHgCM94g0mBhqgoB_GzKJZRvOEXeU/s1600/ball+hair+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPUm1GmbSPi7NB9cpGbLd8hxo1wRKVdYOEjeL_GwJ1bTMzAfvMVWVY6s3p1c0wAudYo3LEN_OnXa6onMVOc8yk4wvQvrBjD_DFJTUkfV6dOf8UEEHgCM94g0mBhqgoB_GzKJZRvOEXeU/s400/ball+hair+1.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703537070942505970" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 335px;" /></a><br />
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A comb looks lovely with this hairstyle. Combs were very popular in that era and were made of many materials such as tortoise shell, gutta percha, horn or gilded metals. This is a faux tortoise shell comb.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDvCTD6kFF12Tol6Cfz5OPSXKCh1SW0Z1_zhLv8CmbM7MCWqn6AFc3iTg0ZcEwPOUXx7VFtqVtNZ1Emr7tBFflY3RHgdHRlSMdBnykDCsOuyY-Cebcyk-xRLL4Z8W8VvHx1Lz-up9Xyw/s1600/ball+hair+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDvCTD6kFF12Tol6Cfz5OPSXKCh1SW0Z1_zhLv8CmbM7MCWqn6AFc3iTg0ZcEwPOUXx7VFtqVtNZ1Emr7tBFflY3RHgdHRlSMdBnykDCsOuyY-Cebcyk-xRLL4Z8W8VvHx1Lz-up9Xyw/s400/ball+hair+2.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703540621071898066" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 322px;" /></a><br />
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Next you can add flowers and ribbons! Victorian ball hair pieces were often circlets or half-circles that you pinned into your hair. We used a half-circle hair piece with colors that looked gorgeous with Merri's hair! (Psst, you can check my mom's Etsy shop<a href="http://www.southernserendipity.etsy.com/">www.southernserendipity.etsy.com</a> for other ball hair pieces!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29gAaAypm_n50GO0rygVUzSb6SiIsXtj0C4eA_MR-YHQ-TVmAN6XXcBYHF17CNk8pnXCpd7y1kut7p3IvNZPMJ3dWe5d5vEYi0Qe-ig7Hfft03gIa4AIxewSNoreLN7Vs-IH0Y0jXv4M/s1600/ball+hair+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29gAaAypm_n50GO0rygVUzSb6SiIsXtj0C4eA_MR-YHQ-TVmAN6XXcBYHF17CNk8pnXCpd7y1kut7p3IvNZPMJ3dWe5d5vEYi0Qe-ig7Hfft03gIa4AIxewSNoreLN7Vs-IH0Y0jXv4M/s400/ball+hair+3.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703537094650764050" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 371px;" /></a><br />
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You can have fun adding extra sprays of flowers besides the main hair piece too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVo95-Gh0zYsiJ_3kXVslvsdGTrrj6rp2NbjkGJMIqS_QnlKiZzN4WPPOKoKKGujva0ZIeEl5J0j82aG8cPQgUz5MqSM8_x5YKe__ufy_AHAwxZm9eSjrJEOZuEet6Xfv5iCLxXhl-sE/s1600/ball+hair+4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVo95-Gh0zYsiJ_3kXVslvsdGTrrj6rp2NbjkGJMIqS_QnlKiZzN4WPPOKoKKGujva0ZIeEl5J0j82aG8cPQgUz5MqSM8_x5YKe__ufy_AHAwxZm9eSjrJEOZuEet6Xfv5iCLxXhl-sE/s400/ball+hair+4.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703537092332931426" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 331px;" /></a><br />
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This is my sis with the same general hairstyle - a bun with curls coming off the side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymzTBhJetSrZrVByez2aR87rXpV3-eqpxero7p-SKQwtYkFh9jNDtdZKzQyt3_7zXA4mHhk206vX0Zpa_DPL2Fw3QRCz0U7sS1T8v2SBrnv27HF5hfzxVnw74B5w5ip_ZSJorMAIDlQM/s1600/raq.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymzTBhJetSrZrVByez2aR87rXpV3-eqpxero7p-SKQwtYkFh9jNDtdZKzQyt3_7zXA4mHhk206vX0Zpa_DPL2Fw3QRCz0U7sS1T8v2SBrnv27HF5hfzxVnw74B5w5ip_ZSJorMAIDlQM/s400/raq.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703545905576790210" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 234px;" /></a><br />
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Here are some period images of hairstyles from the late 1850s-early 1860s. Note the combs and the placement of the flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB9x95z1E065BsWEusluXn8NwbW_56BKWr0jkYloOAHTo20b-6aVIYcb5S1z6FUHYEP0DkEafiLbFLzbIJv9gvQ-WiYq-jRon6_jRJaV6PXnyrFhVobVQfyO7d-_Ga-v0BcP5OhXbaLE/s1600/GodeysHair2aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB9x95z1E065BsWEusluXn8NwbW_56BKWr0jkYloOAHTo20b-6aVIYcb5S1z6FUHYEP0DkEafiLbFLzbIJv9gvQ-WiYq-jRon6_jRJaV6PXnyrFhVobVQfyO7d-_Ga-v0BcP5OhXbaLE/s400/GodeysHair2aa.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703543552514474194" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 305px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXRE3l_YIICxB_mP-dfJQjKsDZhTk8Iun2n-JzxQGooMAM3EFBW6vEZak_ZH1cQqAA8KI_H0zO2gKx1v1csOTGQj9zM_BF-m1P4SGPj8p2o8m1HADdu3nfCiJY_05K7Ikwo7QxuZMp1I/s1600/HJ1864-0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXRE3l_YIICxB_mP-dfJQjKsDZhTk8Iun2n-JzxQGooMAM3EFBW6vEZak_ZH1cQqAA8KI_H0zO2gKx1v1csOTGQj9zM_BF-m1P4SGPj8p2o8m1HADdu3nfCiJY_05K7Ikwo7QxuZMp1I/s400/HJ1864-0.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703538170147271490" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 276px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHj9y-VC5NJtTy9tmoXCuMROYespiwa9iHetqHz09Dd8XN_VXFgG7xIYA-J70xDPkU0Y7EDZMK10Fhek12FFrJdM41PMSJqWxMmjaUuInlQBCo9iKCdabJvnkjWKX0FJlNDvAPN9gM4w/s1600/1856_har_bgodeys.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHj9y-VC5NJtTy9tmoXCuMROYespiwa9iHetqHz09Dd8XN_VXFgG7xIYA-J70xDPkU0Y7EDZMK10Fhek12FFrJdM41PMSJqWxMmjaUuInlQBCo9iKCdabJvnkjWKX0FJlNDvAPN9gM4w/s400/1856_har_bgodeys.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703538165607012946" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 287px;" /></a><br />
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Once again, thanks to our awesome model, Merrianna!!</center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefT6hB4CJtrGXJwGnCvCZO2CmfUqEGUt_f2DOJVZMXxVN7lti676AxK0T6wN8atLkZ7sF4FdpnsG5B12gui1nY90rKkmhrEVzhfSBYBYlRZwGPtofHQhW9-7e7wK3mux9RnoTrFMEwZ8/s1600/ball+hair+5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefT6hB4CJtrGXJwGnCvCZO2CmfUqEGUt_f2DOJVZMXxVN7lti676AxK0T6wN8atLkZ7sF4FdpnsG5B12gui1nY90rKkmhrEVzhfSBYBYlRZwGPtofHQhW9-7e7wK3mux9RnoTrFMEwZ8/s400/ball+hair+5.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703537100332069298" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 355px;" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-35876373625645447662012-01-16T21:26:00.000-05:002012-01-16T22:10:07.682-05:00How To Do A Civil War HairstyleBy popular demand, I'm going to do some blog posts on creating hairstyles for the 1860s. Since I have long, thick hair, I wanted to use someone else for a model - someone who had a shorter, more modern hairstyle. <br /><br />However, my sis also has long thick hair, and Mom's hair is very short. No one in our family has a nice, shoulder-length style for me to play with! Just when I thought there was no one to pester, a good friend with formerly long hair surprised us today by coming for a sleepover with a new haircut! She graciously offered to be a model for my blog post (and a fruit coolatta from Dunkin Donuts as bribery didn't hurt!). <br /><br />So here is our wonderful model Merrianna with her beautiful titian hair as a my demo! Though I did this hairstyle for Merrianna (while she slurped her coolatta! :D), you can easily do it on yourself with some practice.<br /><br /><center>My materials<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mtXd5t-fzEVYS-db1SkRC6Aa6VqT6BWI84pyadexIY3D6MqmTkgJnVsDLhQUWlWGW_aUPgSRZplU4RnAfs3CAI6eYDCxnawxwhjx1ILj9jgq0Gxncybv_rCnaUOm20tITZTImdgevMI/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mtXd5t-fzEVYS-db1SkRC6Aa6VqT6BWI84pyadexIY3D6MqmTkgJnVsDLhQUWlWGW_aUPgSRZplU4RnAfs3CAI6eYDCxnawxwhjx1ILj9jgq0Gxncybv_rCnaUOm20tITZTImdgevMI/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423965668594850" /></a><br /><br />The lovely model (and the bribe!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgCIckepxGyRZc-IYjXd71i6s6kiPCwUh5-HiqSBy1EkdQLCTl5icSGQkkRqMVM7whaN4BaChEmyEi6Xm0e8Wh-c1zzf6sS4PpqJwgUd2MG17JsbCxNxcTCXxXIXkVztbi3GQYUXlFGw/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgCIckepxGyRZc-IYjXd71i6s6kiPCwUh5-HiqSBy1EkdQLCTl5icSGQkkRqMVM7whaN4BaChEmyEi6Xm0e8Wh-c1zzf6sS4PpqJwgUd2MG17JsbCxNxcTCXxXIXkVztbi3GQYUXlFGw/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423958658816802" /></a><br /><br />I started by parting off a front section on each side.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG4Sgh1sIler-xl_JHYaHexkaYy7-hNKNAV5fO2EfxdKrghI9YsIIp3LwvdhCaHQYIAtqp8nomvclgA3-BYmf3nsdcYY1ZHm6KnJxVqCXclN-bFPBkbFfsQitd6BMys8L1sJbxgZyOPU/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG4Sgh1sIler-xl_JHYaHexkaYy7-hNKNAV5fO2EfxdKrghI9YsIIp3LwvdhCaHQYIAtqp8nomvclgA3-BYmf3nsdcYY1ZHm6KnJxVqCXclN-bFPBkbFfsQitd6BMys8L1sJbxgZyOPU/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423781296775922" /></a><br /><br />Then I put the back section into a nice smooth ponytail.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrVhhjiKsnFDKvhPAUahxy3W68dqUjpkXN8oJO7lr7P92Db3LLlvYqA6FvUso4yX7Pj13GtDFQKsdQVZauvEDawMm-mZykbRC0pWSvRsEo_VakxExylVR-XkMfYLCXrEhV8qFFdyjI50/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrVhhjiKsnFDKvhPAUahxy3W68dqUjpkXN8oJO7lr7P92Db3LLlvYqA6FvUso4yX7Pj13GtDFQKsdQVZauvEDawMm-mZykbRC0pWSvRsEo_VakxExylVR-XkMfYLCXrEhV8qFFdyjI50/s400/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423766436329490" /></a><br /><br />I twisted the ponytail into a bun. This is where having some gel, hairspray or good old-fashioned pomade would have made the job easier. But hey, it turned out pretty well anyway!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFPG3Btc5HQqhcwdVm4Am-8TFM8sAGdYXKCoVSnLI7CBs5XqVjrAz1mppiDizOJ_HirTlLVs49kL075cGNz4zIN73GtLPzVeAbooy51ivPoaK6nnrx_HIjAEbshyphenhyphens3xzEz869buJtxm8/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFPG3Btc5HQqhcwdVm4Am-8TFM8sAGdYXKCoVSnLI7CBs5XqVjrAz1mppiDizOJ_HirTlLVs49kL075cGNz4zIN73GtLPzVeAbooy51ivPoaK6nnrx_HIjAEbshyphenhyphens3xzEz869buJtxm8/s400/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423751622486338" /></a><br /><br />Since her hair was nice and clean and slippery, I used hair clips to secure it. If you absolutely need to, you can use them too. But since they weren't around in 1860, it's better to use something goopy on your hair to make it stay put (which they <i>did</i> do) and then use those big authentic hair pins instead. However, the clips worked fine for our demo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3MBhcIvYmSCjOx2HzJGhMWJ-j1kfEh_NMjdztDymSxulaSRRsVdDpgu5oRBwyyAxQahFp0UiZY5y0lGsOJtkXsWKBLfRU4tgi2scYc-LhdO-MnJAaZBRgYk5QOnFOMYDaREWcAAoQnI/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3MBhcIvYmSCjOx2HzJGhMWJ-j1kfEh_NMjdztDymSxulaSRRsVdDpgu5oRBwyyAxQahFp0UiZY5y0lGsOJtkXsWKBLfRU4tgi2scYc-LhdO-MnJAaZBRgYk5QOnFOMYDaREWcAAoQnI/s400/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423334823373218" /></a><br /><br />Next, I took one of the side sections in front and twisted it. You can twist it under, towards your face. Or you can twist it up, away from your face. Both styles were used, so you'll have to decide which fits your face shape the best. Thin hair typically looks best if twisted up and away from the face.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVdzClXxsw8Wmft6faiikyjhA8_6rimk9eud5i8GkIiko0qO1MuC0M5ZDbO9oCjZ9tpeNpK4hmZHw3X_lm5Q8qXmObd8jZp1DGYTjbaRDXu1ukEfWfNEHYyBjKvG1G8dY_9p10-wBIh4/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVdzClXxsw8Wmft6faiikyjhA8_6rimk9eud5i8GkIiko0qO1MuC0M5ZDbO9oCjZ9tpeNpK4hmZHw3X_lm5Q8qXmObd8jZp1DGYTjbaRDXu1ukEfWfNEHYyBjKvG1G8dY_9p10-wBIh4/s400/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423322712025794" /></a><br /><br />Twist the hair all the way to the end. You can braid it, if you prefer. Start the braid near the top of the ear, not at the front scalp-line.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI3mRWzEmxvB0R1C1bsMop6xY8J57HFSiNKz0Z2suIpgo0cl112pPz6zDyHKgn1gCSIKQrz4enuwSBR4te7Fq65wqR4KdNwmwHgCTFdVIO76LDgsLDRexeYjaSfwnCrnzr2KnaXNjji8/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI3mRWzEmxvB0R1C1bsMop6xY8J57HFSiNKz0Z2suIpgo0cl112pPz6zDyHKgn1gCSIKQrz4enuwSBR4te7Fq65wqR4KdNwmwHgCTFdVIO76LDgsLDRexeYjaSfwnCrnzr2KnaXNjji8/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423315637276978" /></a><br /><br />Braided or twisted, take the piece of hair and wind it around your bun. It doesn't matter if it's not long enough to go all the way around the bun. If you're using hair pins, pin it against the bun as you go. If using clips, do the same thing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKu27B_fgRIYi48iqLNCaMcfmjo1-wQBk3d3VCDdOxuFvQ1W7aijaT68dWTINeZdUBd7Vaem7tfVrud8Co6L-0L6hyuOHy48D-1Eh0ZZNhyjpateFauruguJZ1FR4UaPkHF-0ZMCWwjo/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKu27B_fgRIYi48iqLNCaMcfmjo1-wQBk3d3VCDdOxuFvQ1W7aijaT68dWTINeZdUBd7Vaem7tfVrud8Co6L-0L6hyuOHy48D-1Eh0ZZNhyjpateFauruguJZ1FR4UaPkHF-0ZMCWwjo/s400/11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698423305712516290" /></a><br /><br />Take the other front section and do the same thing with it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvdxsfFZKOiOUU7sJ5U9tqKiT466Xn_oIgb2jJTTyi1KxQr0wdbM2k1KRC6ehhqfGGP10FVKUoSKIp3D8wSxMJX6Ye84Kyoy5852Wjpy99DhkHBF8LbHR9cdvb1yA11LAc3i5rmEQcr8/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvdxsfFZKOiOUU7sJ5U9tqKiT466Xn_oIgb2jJTTyi1KxQr0wdbM2k1KRC6ehhqfGGP10FVKUoSKIp3D8wSxMJX6Ye84Kyoy5852Wjpy99DhkHBF8LbHR9cdvb1yA11LAc3i5rmEQcr8/s400/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422993169430162" /></a><br /><br />Here's generally how it should look. Isn't this a lovely do? It should be quite secure as well, especially if you used plenty of hair spray and gel. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfBdKC42Amn1izKomsGqfB-44sLz4H647M6zr39MkiZvSUBANaEsVhSGf4VXgS5LsCh19gMNcUodou8P4j1SmGOxkaAm8KdoKSsqhAt8fwqHBMc0fqL-6eJ4x86cEkl8bt8NHWwEm2GA/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfBdKC42Amn1izKomsGqfB-44sLz4H647M6zr39MkiZvSUBANaEsVhSGf4VXgS5LsCh19gMNcUodou8P4j1SmGOxkaAm8KdoKSsqhAt8fwqHBMc0fqL-6eJ4x86cEkl8bt8NHWwEm2GA/s400/13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422990243662914" /></a><br /><br />Here is a drawing of Queen Victoria with the same general hairstyle. If your hair is long, you can loop the braid or twist lower, like she did.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XZIQ7VZhYdchZ2V_g330qLIlb8VqtTNfITeUKCmQqxxfOHNsa2lfcb7lu64AJedFVkUZO10Mg1fgxOOeEeT4Doi78FegGX8ZTLOErN8YFYl_UFdi3DHj5pRPIuHKWDE1v7nTJp0ZG4s/s1600/hairvictoria.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XZIQ7VZhYdchZ2V_g330qLIlb8VqtTNfITeUKCmQqxxfOHNsa2lfcb7lu64AJedFVkUZO10Mg1fgxOOeEeT4Doi78FegGX8ZTLOErN8YFYl_UFdi3DHj5pRPIuHKWDE1v7nTJp0ZG4s/s400/hairvictoria.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698432558231293586" /></a><br /><br />If you are reenacting a lady at home, you can leave your head bare if you like. However, ladies often wore caps or nets during the day. So here's how to put on a net.<br /><br />First, put it around your hands and make sure it's fully opened.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqXHsOdlfelBYYhhAIjufnoGTHEGfUFqSyXCAh-GMVgTohyphenhyphenxQWOZLI49jwPdmv6GKzdEQohMISkKCYscCooPisrpEUnEmsRih53XdYsFYGW7jR00oVIKlZb_OR9yZm6z4i6_w4yK1TZo/s1600/net+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqXHsOdlfelBYYhhAIjufnoGTHEGfUFqSyXCAh-GMVgTohyphenhyphenxQWOZLI49jwPdmv6GKzdEQohMISkKCYscCooPisrpEUnEmsRih53XdYsFYGW7jR00oVIKlZb_OR9yZm6z4i6_w4yK1TZo/s400/net+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422977682099986" /></a><br /><br />Hook the bottom under your hair-do.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pqHG2bk6rHhBj_mQMhyOkWKQIPz04IJrROkZzqO6sDBMX92Nub6qK7NgKFTBErmTQc9JYPjCLBDIft0wEUrcf0sqxMXd_K0C9cQE3tbxWtujapudS63ygYYhjt8Ih8YdZfUQfuEIzUM/s1600/net+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pqHG2bk6rHhBj_mQMhyOkWKQIPz04IJrROkZzqO6sDBMX92Nub6qK7NgKFTBErmTQc9JYPjCLBDIft0wEUrcf0sqxMXd_K0C9cQE3tbxWtujapudS63ygYYhjt8Ih8YdZfUQfuEIzUM/s400/net+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422974125449954" /></a><br /><br />Pull it forward and adjust around your face.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioArY8RuYXfZqWbuVFtgOR1FZ1O8kIkfqhRO3jt14OK4QBW4HYJTZtU6qEPF07a_IlrmtsB49uYxVbPqs8wNLHNIo0MuVEeeEMal_iq4yDvZwlCV3LAThtY0Z-tR5CHL2g_-4pfSpzkfM/s1600/net+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioArY8RuYXfZqWbuVFtgOR1FZ1O8kIkfqhRO3jt14OK4QBW4HYJTZtU6qEPF07a_IlrmtsB49uYxVbPqs8wNLHNIo0MuVEeeEMal_iq4yDvZwlCV3LAThtY0Z-tR5CHL2g_-4pfSpzkfM/s400/net+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422968758471730" /></a><br /><br />Ta-da! Ain't she cute?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cOg5Vm6GcpSvvw8_-QSxlsIZJ1f6B7fe_EecboGGyk0rcQjfcILY8F3C-PZKNqHTdRQwE9rm9XLsg3wxAmB-sbCUjzpNSginlrCjFM1qr8B1MUKBNOJFJmn2RYuRfO2zcg31-Zo7MJ0/s1600/net+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cOg5Vm6GcpSvvw8_-QSxlsIZJ1f6B7fe_EecboGGyk0rcQjfcILY8F3C-PZKNqHTdRQwE9rm9XLsg3wxAmB-sbCUjzpNSginlrCjFM1qr8B1MUKBNOJFJmn2RYuRfO2zcg31-Zo7MJ0/s400/net+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422705471397794" /></a><br /><br />This hairstyle also looks good with a cap.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lNdhX7NiZ_1w47MxAHUUUffaTfzavh5QbsMQOGQZDbqGkPhEkQyWqN3QWGoNdieu4UgZIId9echjdqAg_rC5-dIUiwsdnRcIB0KxEp9tvaBMmxQLoWWzZ7C14bGjpUR-Ps97CId5MVA/s1600/cap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 370px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lNdhX7NiZ_1w47MxAHUUUffaTfzavh5QbsMQOGQZDbqGkPhEkQyWqN3QWGoNdieu4UgZIId9echjdqAg_rC5-dIUiwsdnRcIB0KxEp9tvaBMmxQLoWWzZ7C14bGjpUR-Ps97CId5MVA/s400/cap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422690259699266" /></a><br /><br />And a bonnet!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ53woQwelTeu13mws2N-LD-TE5XplV8iY-6WJNR4TZtD9Oj7gTjm_SVSEpL3g0qCffXSZRZ7IzPcz4lNBpJKZ3c9AEPFF_6wk9YlNSmlBlVcitqPTHWWgP7BwvhTZqgw2PZacK6kBTc/s1600/bonnet+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ53woQwelTeu13mws2N-LD-TE5XplV8iY-6WJNR4TZtD9Oj7gTjm_SVSEpL3g0qCffXSZRZ7IzPcz4lNBpJKZ3c9AEPFF_6wk9YlNSmlBlVcitqPTHWWgP7BwvhTZqgw2PZacK6kBTc/s400/bonnet+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422678428562082" /></a><br /><br />Next time, I'll show you our demo pictures of how to vary this for a ball hairstyle. For now, I'll leave you with a final cute photo op we just couldn't resist: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGlIkqKfiLN_wkvrq4JfR__JVgMzZ55Ht-aVcEJsp3I5qhCMXkFmRQVOIo82o83QDciIDOfJx1fgMYuOHzsHoGVTnNBjJoJz_dnt5iUvAbRO2XVeVMrAsEfksWmTnJ_opPl5AhwbrJqY/s1600/bonnet+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGlIkqKfiLN_wkvrq4JfR__JVgMzZ55Ht-aVcEJsp3I5qhCMXkFmRQVOIo82o83QDciIDOfJx1fgMYuOHzsHoGVTnNBjJoJz_dnt5iUvAbRO2XVeVMrAsEfksWmTnJ_opPl5AhwbrJqY/s400/bonnet+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698422677586193138" /></a><br /><br />Thanks, Merrianna!</center>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-29946368627263692602012-01-13T18:11:00.000-05:002015-05-02T14:29:48.371-04:00Snoods or Nets?Victorian reenacting is catching on, whether you're a Civil War enthusiast or a Dickens lover. People are bringing back some really lovely old-fashioned styles of the mid-Victorian era. But there are one or two "fashions" of the Victorian era that never really existed - and I hate to say it, but the wearing of snoods is one of them.<br />
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Now before y'all get excited, let me assure you that I know how handy they are. Snoods cover your hair so you don't have to do anything to it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepxJ6PYW0Ag5fhmDYZJpzQK5iMLFUVhhMj-DcSU2aMi1ksa4-41aZ5lXcplC4wSqJywcBG-IxQzicheYcL-0xw6TcRnOu1luh88jwXL2nKVe7tGdxonRlflzXAJ9Lo4QE8ETrXMWe9Jg/s1600/snood.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepxJ6PYW0Ag5fhmDYZJpzQK5iMLFUVhhMj-DcSU2aMi1ksa4-41aZ5lXcplC4wSqJywcBG-IxQzicheYcL-0xw6TcRnOu1luh88jwXL2nKVe7tGdxonRlflzXAJ9Lo4QE8ETrXMWe9Jg/s400/snood.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697259091853330578" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 385px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 327px;" /></a><br />
You can even show off your favorite color with your snood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiCv6QjPySquRdxwU4hC548XhLZPQPFWLv50ZYH7yOUVQ-Hfpq5DBUG4SP5UydnkCUDUgPxfKQLuZxNs6Jbo10JaNOXMMxWE4d13R3a3UNf0hjxtQLY5XoyP25VH22IlnmCdQnk_IQyo/s1600/snood+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiCv6QjPySquRdxwU4hC548XhLZPQPFWLv50ZYH7yOUVQ-Hfpq5DBUG4SP5UydnkCUDUgPxfKQLuZxNs6Jbo10JaNOXMMxWE4d13R3a3UNf0hjxtQLY5XoyP25VH22IlnmCdQnk_IQyo/s400/snood+3.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697259092663905714" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
You can <i>even</i> make a fashion statement with a snood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gk6MF9ytZH5em5-pOL2UNMBttxDQ7HB2Yr0K2tCECUw7WbZ2Vs4Y4O_LgEEN7GiQ2rzkulZFjH_hkLeQQeOAWFCyqO6oC6l8fgjwp4W3OMkQOv0A9XhXCfV8EtrldgTxZWmH4Cn0kVs/s1600/snood+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gk6MF9ytZH5em5-pOL2UNMBttxDQ7HB2Yr0K2tCECUw7WbZ2Vs4Y4O_LgEEN7GiQ2rzkulZFjH_hkLeQQeOAWFCyqO6oC6l8fgjwp4W3OMkQOv0A9XhXCfV8EtrldgTxZWmH4Cn0kVs/s400/snood+1.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697259100488674466" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 339px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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But if you've done any research into authentic Victorian hairstyles, these pictures are making you say what I said: OW!<br />
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Not that Victorian ladies didn't keep their hair contained. But they <u>first</u> put their hair up, <u>then</u> contained it... and the "container" (if any) was a very fine hairnet or a highly elaborate ribbon net. <br />
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Of course, if she went out she probably wore a bonnet, regardless of whether she also had a net. But authentic bonnets are expensive. So are hair extension pieces, which many ladies with modern haircuts need. So what is a reenacting lady to do if she wants a nice covering for her hair?<br />
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First, know that the front of your hair will show. So always part it in the center and smooth it down. If you have bangs, you can use hair gel or hair spray (or both!) to make both sides lay nicely. Sometimes rolling your hair back can also be a good way to contain short hairs.<br />
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Next, if your hair is long enough, put the back up into a bun. 1860s buns tended to be in the low-middle portion of the head, not high up like the later 1870s-80s styles. If you hair is not long enough for a bun, put some hair gel or hair spray on it to keep it smooth and in place.<br />
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Finally - the covering! In another post, I will cover proper bonnets and hats for the Civil War era. But for now, let's focus on the types of nets that were used. Hairnets of the 1860s were either a fine thin net, or a beautiful thick woven net made of silk ribbon or silk chenille. A pretty band was often attached to the net across the top which included braided or ruched ribbon, flowers, beads, or lace. Nets in the 1860s were <i>not</i> the thick crocheted nets of the 1950s.<br />
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Have you ever noticed that many ladies in 1860s photos appear to have some kind of ripple across the top of their head? It's not usually a braid - it's the ribbon band on their hair net.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ew6xJPqDolTPftvqpn2CDASaOGBcuZl9tnWg8mNio6J1K2FDDUJ4PgNgdIdXdI7mrmNwER5vYrEMuxfGmrE9WUzt63b30xp6MORZjF5_ViecH4RJpaUkbMMxfdKuEoOm49lE8MtnQ10/s1600/snoods.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ew6xJPqDolTPftvqpn2CDASaOGBcuZl9tnWg8mNio6J1K2FDDUJ4PgNgdIdXdI7mrmNwER5vYrEMuxfGmrE9WUzt63b30xp6MORZjF5_ViecH4RJpaUkbMMxfdKuEoOm49lE8MtnQ10/s400/snoods.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697266074786985154" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 135px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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If you don't know how to create one of these nets yourself, you can often find them at sutler's tents at reenactments. My mom has some lovely ones in her <a href="http://www.southernserendipity.etsy.com/">Etsy shop.</a> This is me wearing one I snitched from her stash! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe-J37LxdJ2NUca_gWWXlQRAIem5V234YAOPzbcydfdSu9og3mT8-MOKWRuQdGUdmp75j96qU1dgHEkeDEybkaqQ1DZ-Vag9D0OBNOgbOSaAc4_NANP36xfJbTwiJywb2g6aXRlR9V3bv/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDe-J37LxdJ2NUca_gWWXlQRAIem5V234YAOPzbcydfdSu9og3mT8-MOKWRuQdGUdmp75j96qU1dgHEkeDEybkaqQ1DZ-Vag9D0OBNOgbOSaAc4_NANP36xfJbTwiJywb2g6aXRlR9V3bv/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I mentioned the ribbon and chenille nets - here are some original pictures of them. Isn't this chenille hair piece absolutely adorable? I'm going to make one for myself one of these days!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscGOvxoreV2v4G013W-n5JLmuPiGROsYcklinkA03m7iquiRt2g6Fiematl-Zv6o03yYfmZCF7pCRuYafgfAsoVHk05nKFikuBvHU4IPKVazkdj2-2pBn273tK4F56wU-J6O6wxMZrqMM/s1600/71f1af4e4683d415ac924fe3156706fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscGOvxoreV2v4G013W-n5JLmuPiGROsYcklinkA03m7iquiRt2g6Fiematl-Zv6o03yYfmZCF7pCRuYafgfAsoVHk05nKFikuBvHU4IPKVazkdj2-2pBn273tK4F56wU-J6O6wxMZrqMM/s1600/71f1af4e4683d415ac924fe3156706fb.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></div>
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This is a ribbon hairnet and yes, those are cute little bees on it! Obviously, with all the beautiful gold and ribbon work on this one, it's meant to be an evening headdress. Wouldn't you look dramatic in this?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5hR-Z3s0AydAVWgVA_MF2lVFkDUhivYZkYIsLsMnqf1gGBE6nt22QSd_bswYw96ktWLY4tNxjS47me_tANu7eSfsQRff_7yQTltepU-Lw3hKliOOhyphenhyphenpCLBMkWknDL1AdmJ4rLS1gDuNZ/s1600/17b8b68c4ca1eb2731481725da0ef117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5hR-Z3s0AydAVWgVA_MF2lVFkDUhivYZkYIsLsMnqf1gGBE6nt22QSd_bswYw96ktWLY4tNxjS47me_tANu7eSfsQRff_7yQTltepU-Lw3hKliOOhyphenhyphenpCLBMkWknDL1AdmJ4rLS1gDuNZ/s1600/17b8b68c4ca1eb2731481725da0ef117.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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And here is my mom, wearing one of those evening ribbon nets, along with a comb and some lovely flowers and ribbons to dress it up. Doesn't she look glamorous? (Just a little secret - my mom's hair is very short! She wears a false bun under her net for evening wear, and she wears a lace cap for day wear!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw8kiR8X-0OcvDvoBnXHKyOWXgss5N-diMxBOjfsxEQOp8yk9t8_QwrJ3RXrpePyy2zFy84M3eMs5_jfrulYr7ZlgentTUGXw5hSHd_PycVbDVUDMZy9_jYghfiYX5CiOV3pnM-j4Phw/s1600/snood+5.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw8kiR8X-0OcvDvoBnXHKyOWXgss5N-diMxBOjfsxEQOp8yk9t8_QwrJ3RXrpePyy2zFy84M3eMs5_jfrulYr7ZlgentTUGXw5hSHd_PycVbDVUDMZy9_jYghfiYX5CiOV3pnM-j4Phw/s400/snood+5.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697259110024551426" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 365px;" /></a><br />
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So that's the scoop on hairnets! If anyone's interested in a blog on how to do hair, let me know and I may do a post on that in the future. For now... here's a cute picture I took at a recent ball. Even the best designed hairstyle may need a little help from a girlfriend occasionally - here's Mom helping my sis with her hair piece. Isn't that cute?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia39LCNJfl1XxT5mclIfSt8OGnBAS9UMhgLAl3n_vCZjLLWZos1qbBUInVJDRVJb7EIe0AQsB0GeNfjrNt9OBmqj9Ui3Le-Lfoyg8U5AAo2vudUwV_ocJSab5c6w3NDi2go0XfwkH7wS8/s1600/snood+4.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia39LCNJfl1XxT5mclIfSt8OGnBAS9UMhgLAl3n_vCZjLLWZos1qbBUInVJDRVJb7EIe0AQsB0GeNfjrNt9OBmqj9Ui3Le-Lfoyg8U5AAo2vudUwV_ocJSab5c6w3NDi2go0XfwkH7wS8/s400/snood+4.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697261789349049058" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-11590242954477986682012-01-10T16:29:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:06:50.198-05:00Civil War Mourning JewelryThis is one of my favorite treasuries on Etsy. There is so much beautiful mourning jewelry out there!<br /><br /> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTA5ODEzN3w5MjU0MDU4MjU"> 'Mourning Jewelry in Gone With The Wind' </a> by <a style=" color:#333333; text-decoration: none; " onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/southroncreations"> southroncreations </a> </h2> <h2 style=" font-size:16px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> Victorians wore black jewelry to commemorate a departed loved one. Aren't these beautiful?<br> </h2> <table style=" border-spacing: 8px; width:auto; border-collapse: separate; line-height:19px; "> <tbody><tr> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82182211" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.272364940.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82182211" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> REDUCED, last chance to buy ... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/daggers" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> daggers </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $100.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68994406" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.222780791.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68994406" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Cameo Brooch Chalc... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> victoriansenti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $125.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76247702" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.251909191.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76247702" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Rare Antique Victorian Vulca... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AntiguaNM" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> AntiguaNM </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $895.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64809660" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.203831339.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64809660" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Antique Victorian Opaque Jet... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettyvintagejewelry" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> prettyvintagej... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $37.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76962310" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.254287074.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76962310" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Brooch Vulcanite H... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> victoriansenti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $40.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/83502683" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.277021058.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/83502683" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Mourning Locket - ... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> victoriansenti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $125.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39428028" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.119083127.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39428028" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Breathtaking Victorian Gutta... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NouveauMotley" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> NouveauMotley </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $125.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/83554438" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.277202580.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/83554438" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Mysterious Victorian Mournin... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHiddenChamber" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> TheHiddenChamb... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $64.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55774910" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.172626891.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55774910" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> SaLE Civil War Era VICTORIAN... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntSuesVintage" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> AuntSuesVintag... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $99.99 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84015671" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.278836632.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84015671" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> C. 1880's Victorian Mour... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuriousGoodsII" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> CuriousGoodsII </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $25.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40093048" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.121341312.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40093048" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Antique Victorian Mourning P... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Thegoodgranny" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> Thegoodgranny </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $45.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66873395" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.212116462.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66873395" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> HUGE Price REDUCTION//3 Fant... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompactQueen" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> CompactQueen </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $99.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66745117" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.211590141.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66745117" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> 1800s Rare Gutta Percha Cros... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParisCoutureAntiques" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> ParisCoutureAn... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $300.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49894975" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.152958695.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49894975" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Sale, Antique Victorian Buck... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageKeepersCache" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> VintageKeepers... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $125.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86432951" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.287422388.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86432951" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> GUTTA PERCHA MOURNING locket... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PennysCastle" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> PennysCastle </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $195.00 </div> </td> <td style=" border:1px solid #ECECEC; padding: 6px; text-align:left; " width="170px" height="170px"> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69480840" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style=" border:none; padding:0px; " src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.224820290.jpg" width="170px"> <br> </a> <a style=" text-decoration: none; " href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69480840" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style=" color:#666666; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; "> Victorian Mourning Brooch Fo... </span> </a> <br> <div style=" font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <a style=" text-decoration: none; color:#B2B2B2; " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> victoriansenti... </a> </div> <div style=" color:#78C042; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; float:right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> $75.00 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style=" color:#B2B2B2; font-size:10px; font-family:sans-serif; margin-left: 10px; "> <a href="http://redrowstudio.com/tools/treasury.php"> Treasury tool </a> by <a href="http://redrowstudio.com">Red Row Studio</a>. </p>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-23011006239519496822011-12-30T16:05:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:07:28.487-05:00Olde South Christmas Ball 2011Our family hosts a Victorian ball every year here in Greenville. This was our best year EVER! We sold out, we had more gentlemen than ladies (shock!), the food was excellent and all of our friends came. What more could you want?<br /><br />Here are a few shots from the evening. First, we all had an elegant southern supper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPezcesS48xgmnzwzIXPE7Lg9Owq2CrhdSZRO6MFRfwikJLdB1U3BFBfGeG-veecblkCkJXcskMBZ-lgptz37m4wSDQ7c_KJacM1qhgAoozW0nLz0giXqJEA6Tr6FWA-vcFt9OeL9LmHI/s1600/P1010009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPezcesS48xgmnzwzIXPE7Lg9Owq2CrhdSZRO6MFRfwikJLdB1U3BFBfGeG-veecblkCkJXcskMBZ-lgptz37m4wSDQ7c_KJacM1qhgAoozW0nLz0giXqJEA6Tr6FWA-vcFt9OeL9LmHI/s400/P1010009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696113476962016914" /></a><br /><br />Then everyone browsed the bazaar, the silent auction, or got their formal photos taken.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylVa9RvoN2e3XPg_bki8R5JObB4GZ4IWtwSpYr-Lqrpc9q27VkO885hR3C3m07LKILmHZtEVH35npY9q7ig1QTUtK-X-ZQn5oOoTgq9gKH8D9kjboStUXgNITuDKtFr-jNcwvjrnPidA/s1600/Rucker2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylVa9RvoN2e3XPg_bki8R5JObB4GZ4IWtwSpYr-Lqrpc9q27VkO885hR3C3m07LKILmHZtEVH35npY9q7ig1QTUtK-X-ZQn5oOoTgq9gKH8D9kjboStUXgNITuDKtFr-jNcwvjrnPidA/s400/Rucker2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696113442950591170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9YGwQDVcmnV6i00MyVZQJM6WpMSAXfesnwCIkhKeAE4ViyD4LnZhds9F3dnGJDnb9VqlPoWf_h2eRAwAhYf56m1yMjLlyWhV86oAsoBw_6GdRRBCNEUWyYcQgNQl5OJlDI78VQVbJQU/s1600/James1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9YGwQDVcmnV6i00MyVZQJM6WpMSAXfesnwCIkhKeAE4ViyD4LnZhds9F3dnGJDnb9VqlPoWf_h2eRAwAhYf56m1yMjLlyWhV86oAsoBw_6GdRRBCNEUWyYcQgNQl5OJlDI78VQVbJQU/s400/James1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696113441868815666" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mwf9-K2KYtjl8zipmDw0WQJgEmFwKONXAxmZTpgsi6jCLtRaBA69Oa5Zw0KW-5qSaCd6yVC1YENpEybL0X2lwQQ0YEVNo1Z_g7jStQsnM1E3TJ_IvaGtFGBRNlOFsdtKrxXpz9xcBXM/s1600/Sheen6-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mwf9-K2KYtjl8zipmDw0WQJgEmFwKONXAxmZTpgsi6jCLtRaBA69Oa5Zw0KW-5qSaCd6yVC1YENpEybL0X2lwQQ0YEVNo1Z_g7jStQsnM1E3TJ_IvaGtFGBRNlOFsdtKrxXpz9xcBXM/s400/Sheen6-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696115093043153378" /></a><br /><br />And finally, we danced!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bm5R_sbCoqRn_TQVu4CYDd-IAMYQemxgrhWUcRORkgjXq1Kd3dU5IpK0-oq_7_9kEKKK6qKcSJp1LBhK3tZn7g6z4-1EIjBjDfNCvfYWecPTJTeiV7pZxn8XayPIDVJwXwveWx8Skgk/s1600/Carolina+Promenade.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bm5R_sbCoqRn_TQVu4CYDd-IAMYQemxgrhWUcRORkgjXq1Kd3dU5IpK0-oq_7_9kEKKK6qKcSJp1LBhK3tZn7g6z4-1EIjBjDfNCvfYWecPTJTeiV7pZxn8XayPIDVJwXwveWx8Skgk/s400/Carolina+Promenade.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696113478662359906" /></a><br /><br />Y'all come join us next year! <a href="http://www.oldesouthball.com">www.oldesouthball.com</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-19453153667509093552011-12-15T15:48:00.000-05:002012-01-11T21:07:44.731-05:00Ball Dress RoundupRemember that picture I posted of all the pretty fabric? The dresses turned out beautifully! Here they are.<br /><br />The first one is mine. I used gold silk with a light checked pattern, and trimmed it with purple ribbon. I also used the ribbon to create flowers for the bodice and my hair. Some white lace added the final touch!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyey8UrOrq5Ktsz8cezZLbUZkEJOKmz_frYHWricT09LIYK3OiKUd1SnmPUsIxXHWN8d4JntEXkYgN91SzyW593rYNvvoQLDYS6kei0b7fVUuxmckgArpI78g9B0UFwtcbJs32XsSRTQ/s1600/1back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyey8UrOrq5Ktsz8cezZLbUZkEJOKmz_frYHWricT09LIYK3OiKUd1SnmPUsIxXHWN8d4JntEXkYgN91SzyW593rYNvvoQLDYS6kei0b7fVUuxmckgArpI78g9B0UFwtcbJs32XsSRTQ/s400/1back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696108851671789346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY5dMDvGG7YHamVz_LuK6_ox9BSZ4f4iQgMIVa1cjfDPUAOyy6DAHLz-ePxdIJrkf7d3MVmO-h2Q_ppRoL6s147MNZB7ivnuI0UPc5H1MZlDpQSu4fcs7Ycjy_1Ir6UAkZxDZ6XU4MlY/s1600/1front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY5dMDvGG7YHamVz_LuK6_ox9BSZ4f4iQgMIVa1cjfDPUAOyy6DAHLz-ePxdIJrkf7d3MVmO-h2Q_ppRoL6s147MNZB7ivnuI0UPc5H1MZlDpQSu4fcs7Ycjy_1Ir6UAkZxDZ6XU4MlY/s400/1front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696108844364132370" /></a><br /><br />This one is Mom's dress. She looks like an ice angel in it! The blue fabric is shot with silver threads and we used white lace and crystal beads to add additional shimmer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYTt5tGHyOvGLaA-RSLFWvInFho_NwaTzTQIR32uemYoBmylrb5rIJCHRXd0saW4kVla6MK_s8SYxcaMlxQLEn9lIOsarJwie5yjrJhqjdSgOXKoDV1p4MosdTyxifpfVeTXvl45CogQ/s1600/IMG_9678.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYTt5tGHyOvGLaA-RSLFWvInFho_NwaTzTQIR32uemYoBmylrb5rIJCHRXd0saW4kVla6MK_s8SYxcaMlxQLEn9lIOsarJwie5yjrJhqjdSgOXKoDV1p4MosdTyxifpfVeTXvl45CogQ/s400/IMG_9678.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696108887514812178" /></a><br /><br />Is this sharp or what? This is a Christmas ball dress for one of my customers. She wore it to our ball in December. Green and ivory looked lovely on her!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS5UQINhjnnnGsAdf3p2vQof6DZ1wA5z0CLLkWLLArl9vBlQc5doeFMa7_YSjZaqfI7dZwLtLcEVaT-ZYwINMsJUlko7OEYddxBgpH4b23G7i2rYGrf6FCb8je1bTZYi7FaktWqvc3ok/s1600/Aliene1_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS5UQINhjnnnGsAdf3p2vQof6DZ1wA5z0CLLkWLLArl9vBlQc5doeFMa7_YSjZaqfI7dZwLtLcEVaT-ZYwINMsJUlko7OEYddxBgpH4b23G7i2rYGrf6FCb8je1bTZYi7FaktWqvc3ok/s400/Aliene1_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696108866062354482" /></a><br /><br />Merry Christmas!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-58578664982654700952011-11-01T22:57:00.000-04:002012-01-12T12:16:06.940-05:00Southern Education MethodsAs promised in <a href="http://southroncreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/education-of-confederate-woman.html">my earlier blog post,</a> here is more on how Southern women were educated.<br /><br /><u>Elementary and High School for Southern Women</u><br />One educational historian writes, "Despite the existence of slavery..., the first fifty years of the United States was as close to a libertarian society as has ever existed. For education, it meant complete freedom and diversity. There were no accrediting agencies, no regulatory boards, no state textbook selection committees, no teacher certification requirements. Parents had the freedom to choose whatever kind of school or education they wanted for their children. Home tutoring was common and there were private schools of every sort and size: church schools, academies for college preparation, seminaries, dames’ schools for primary education, charity schools for the poor, tutors, and common schools." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW7TlH9rgSelRUrRpLtSbaykU3IruEXAvYI9fd-eBIoQ5cl9uejZMnGVMtvp6_jG7PvlKvOUhWa6YmYMAYMV3OyD__jHIq6b-UHHFHVm_GoLn5zvqEhLQcb0nCZ4P6mQs-Y4M20DjkT0/s1600/poorteacher.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW7TlH9rgSelRUrRpLtSbaykU3IruEXAvYI9fd-eBIoQ5cl9uejZMnGVMtvp6_jG7PvlKvOUhWa6YmYMAYMV3OyD__jHIq6b-UHHFHVm_GoLn5zvqEhLQcb0nCZ4P6mQs-Y4M20DjkT0/s400/poorteacher.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696094827067282146" /></a><br /><br />The South continued this tradition of educational freedom even after the North began experimenting with mandatory public schooling. Therefore, a Confederate girl’s elementary and high school education was acquired via three primary methods. (a) Home education with parents or a live-in tutor being the primary instructor, (b) a local school run by the community, (c) or a boarding school. Some girls were educated with just one of these methods – some were educated via a combination of all three. A few, but growing, number of girls then went on to attend college as well.<br /><br /><i>Home education</i> – As the modern homeschooling movement proves, this is a very effective and reliable method of education. Studies have consistently shown that even when parents do minimal amounts of teaching, children still thrive in home education.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBifS0ov4TNtks_yUP-DFKk8CdoiRUrF0Q4xREGwwwabBIZsChM3-TS_HrwtvubXPMNcTIvxCRhuf97vgTRcjbZxzDFfkI3XvllIDP0wAYaqQFUWzue-7byaPEGA-KmBWQ321Nqx0Gpo/s1600/mother-children.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBifS0ov4TNtks_yUP-DFKk8CdoiRUrF0Q4xREGwwwabBIZsChM3-TS_HrwtvubXPMNcTIvxCRhuf97vgTRcjbZxzDFfkI3XvllIDP0wAYaqQFUWzue-7byaPEGA-KmBWQ321Nqx0Gpo/s400/mother-children.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696085591041811858" /></a><br />A southern social commentator of 1860 wrote this in his book, <i>Social Relations in Our Southern States,</i> "The men are not all fools yet, and they know that woman’s one sole Inalienable Right, is to be a Teacher; for whatever may be said in praise of Public, or Free, or High, or Select schools, or any other kind of school, we maintain there is one greater and more praiseworthy that these all, for it is God’s school, and is called The Family."<br /><br />Almost all children in the Victorian era received some form of home education, at least in their early years. Parents, older siblings, a maiden aunt or a local pastor often were the primary instructors for things like reading, writing, basic arithmetic, religion, and life skills like sewing and housekeeping. Some women never had, or needed, more than this level of instruction. Particularly if the girl's instructor was well-educated, she would have a firm foundation in all the basic academic subjects and any further information she required in her life would be easily obtained through more study on her own.<br /><br /><i>Local school</i> – A community-run local school generally only opened during those times of year when the children's presence was not required at home. Thus, school was generally closed during planting, cultivating and harvest time. Census data from 1870 shows that an average attendance for a child in an institutional school per year was about 3 months.<br /><br />Local schools were as diverse as the communities that ran them. Some schools were simply a man, woman or couple who opened their home to instruction of local children. Some of these institutions were charity schools for the poor and were run by local churches or groups of concerned citizens. Usually anyone who needed to use a local school was financially able to do so, either through their own means or through the help of a charitable neighbor or community fund.<br /><br />At the entry level were dame schools, subscription schools, or neighborhood schools – institutions that would cover basic three R’s and a bit of history and geography. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjlPy4aHGj3Ad04j0L9PkHyVH79YwFroy1YoFtx7yhUyq-ALC9fUoQtBOUaClz9Yuxu-nMtMLXxGxF5WSb0XwdlL9CPDPmNqiTAoWEkKuvfXZvf_gTFFvdCuYV71y8Td-aVNIGhMWj8k/s1600/spencerian1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjlPy4aHGj3Ad04j0L9PkHyVH79YwFroy1YoFtx7yhUyq-ALC9fUoQtBOUaClz9Yuxu-nMtMLXxGxF5WSb0XwdlL9CPDPmNqiTAoWEkKuvfXZvf_gTFFvdCuYV71y8Td-aVNIGhMWj8k/s400/spencerian1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696090429849829970" /></a><br /><br />The next level of local school was often called a French school, since this was the primary reason for the parents to send their children to it. These French schools usually included needlework, dancing, handwriting and some academic subjects as part of the curriculum as well. These schools offered a course often referred to as Polite Education. In other words, young ladies learned polish and deportment in their manners as well as their skills. The age range for these schools was usually about 10 to 12.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g34xnyHpkYcPE8tvZXKUc-HqtpT6g56KSs9BRo340PvOWgxZK44PjJ5C_kX7hbP5xyB5RaovJ6ZCUjbPLJ-qqkF0Zcj9s8hXc7kzP-B-rVjbl5R6od2kd3JKX5xuXM0ff0mW4yJ3jvk/s1600/sampler-1826.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g34xnyHpkYcPE8tvZXKUc-HqtpT6g56KSs9BRo340PvOWgxZK44PjJ5C_kX7hbP5xyB5RaovJ6ZCUjbPLJ-qqkF0Zcj9s8hXc7kzP-B-rVjbl5R6od2kd3JKX5xuXM0ff0mW4yJ3jvk/s400/sampler-1826.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696090424154933394" /></a><br /><br />And finally, the highest level of local school was generally referred to as an academy or seminary. These academies were either a girl's highest level of formal education or else her college preparation. Subjects often covered were handwriting, grammar, history, geography, music, dancing, drawing, needlework, and French. The age range was anywhere from 12 to 15.<br /><br /><i>Boarding school</i> – Boarding schools might be either the French school level or academy level. They were often used as "finishing schools" for young ladies. In other words, once a girl had learned the basics at home of reading, writing, arithmetic, and so on, she attended a boarding school to finish her higher education. Boarding schools were obviously patronized by the more wealthy people since it cost more to board a student away from home. Boarding schools were often considered not only a way for a young lady to gain polish, but also a chance to network and form relations with other families of her social standing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4_uUu-HS7_8105NOmAqqgW46TuvBuJxrmVb7Z2pFlRheUPoUY2h92YziNN5zPIeG3WXwxCt7dV0tRF-vy2DIIplxTOcmCbseAYsew6k3Lu87Of2FyaFhdZXGR9U87VE1cejMAK-ZCng/s1600/dance+teacher.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4_uUu-HS7_8105NOmAqqgW46TuvBuJxrmVb7Z2pFlRheUPoUY2h92YziNN5zPIeG3WXwxCt7dV0tRF-vy2DIIplxTOcmCbseAYsew6k3Lu87Of2FyaFhdZXGR9U87VE1cejMAK-ZCng/s400/dance+teacher.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696090413844344674" /></a><br /><br /><u>College for Southern Women</u><br />The South was the nation’s leader in women's college education. One source observes that the South "far outdistanced the rest of the nation in the founding of female colleges. One scholar claims that between 1850 and 1859 thirty-two of the thirty-nine chartered female colleges were in the South. According to statistics presented by Gov. John Ellis in 1860, North Carolina had thirteen female colleges and just six male colleges. Georgia had at least ten female colleges; Tennessee had five. Of the Southern states only Florida had no female colleges. In addition to Alabama’s female colleges, the Alabama Female Institute in Tuscaloosa arranged for students to attend mathematics and natural science lectures at the University of Alabama in 1833 and for a few years thereafter, foreshadowing the institution of coordinate colleges like Radcliffe and Barnard in the latter part of the century."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c5UVCC5MD6H4Bije28ASuYaBW2TWgVSgl8I7399fnRVd7wPs73l8b3415YSdUa1PKo5q3nrtTsRGgvLqp8iAnrkTjxDkuaYP6Leo8YSIVRDt3XZjShg8U5MIBUWBgC74F-Bxs8fMGFw/s1600/science-lab2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c5UVCC5MD6H4Bije28ASuYaBW2TWgVSgl8I7399fnRVd7wPs73l8b3415YSdUa1PKo5q3nrtTsRGgvLqp8iAnrkTjxDkuaYP6Leo8YSIVRDt3XZjShg8U5MIBUWBgC74F-Bxs8fMGFw/s400/science-lab2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696092018239730770" /></a><br /><br />The college age range was typically 12 to 18, though the more rigorous colleges preferred students starting around 14-15 years old.<br /><br /><i>College Curriculum</i><br />All youth, male and female, studied three basic branches of study: English, arithmetic and geography. But those three branches covered quite a range of subjects.<br /><br />English covered all of the language skills necessary to function in 1800s society. Reading, writing, spelling, orthography, grammar, composition, handwriting, speaking, diction, logic, oratory and rhetoric. Consider that society in the 1800s functioned without computers, typewriters, spellcheckers, copiers, printers, radio, television or telephone. In other words, any type of communication, household or business, had to be via your own spoken or written word. Therefore it was crucial to have a thorough knowledge of how to use the English language with precision and propriety. Your livelihood and credit could literally depend on your ability to make yourself properly understood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe0bve-cYTrN1Y5CrzaJSEmc-SPbP5v9uFe76q3ey0BKXAA8TPJzspwtQ68P8c1UqUbrckWDvrTSO4JSdxTQGkf1TFhFO0cWB_laMF5_rgmAnCXAweuC6q3v4ZoRzj4e5cZd9X7qwscQ/s1600/girl+writing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe0bve-cYTrN1Y5CrzaJSEmc-SPbP5v9uFe76q3ey0BKXAA8TPJzspwtQ68P8c1UqUbrckWDvrTSO4JSdxTQGkf1TFhFO0cWB_laMF5_rgmAnCXAweuC6q3v4ZoRzj4e5cZd9X7qwscQ/s400/girl+writing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696092503773815442" /></a><br /><br />Arithmetic covered the basic math skills necessary for keeping household accounts and running a business. Some students went on to study higher math in high school and college. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus studies were all available in the 1800s, though more men than women pursued these studies as necessary for their vocations.<br /><br />Geography is the third major branch of education in the 1800s and it comprised a variety of topics depending on the person defining it. History, physics, botany, geology, meteorology, medicine, astronomy, chemistry, and zoology were all at times listed under the heading of geography. <br /><br />These three branches were the basic foundation of education. However, many more subjects were studied by the well-rounded female student of the 1800s. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeXCukslqEJx56J2D9ZIRDJ1WFcOuXXBZzEYNrxR70LBKD9dOD-axjhMUTH9zHbgfyz9hRw0OYPpR-PKPl30feWpEcifWHVhWVefXiF-qeGRGTCfPzI3VJ31gvDlxddDGzDucb6VydeU/s1600/books.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeXCukslqEJx56J2D9ZIRDJ1WFcOuXXBZzEYNrxR70LBKD9dOD-axjhMUTH9zHbgfyz9hRw0OYPpR-PKPl30feWpEcifWHVhWVefXiF-qeGRGTCfPzI3VJ31gvDlxddDGzDucb6VydeU/s400/books.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696092993822916002" /></a><br /><br />Languages often learned by young ladies were French, German, Italian or Spanish. Hebrew was considered difficult and generally pursued by more men than women. But nearly everyone had at least an exposure level to Latin and Greek, since those were two of the languages in which the Bible was first written and translated into. Latin and Greek were also considered important since those were the languages of the Roman empire. The United States were founded on classical republican principles and it was considered good education for American students to study the classical era for this reason. <br /><br />Needlework was a crucial skill for women in the 1800s. Regardless of your social status, a basic knowledge of sewing was required to function in 1800s society. It is interesting to note the many kinds of needlework that could be learned. One girls' school catalog in Virginia in 1772 explained the types of needlework and artwork that would be taught: "Petit Point in Flowers, Fruit, Landscapes, and Sculpture, Nuns Work, Embroidery in Silk, Gold, Silver, Pearls or embossed, Shading of all Kinds, in the various Works in Vogue, Dresden Point Work, Lace Ditto, Catgut in different Modes, flourishing Muslin after the newest Taste, and most elegant Pattern, Waxwork in Figure, Fruit, or Flowers, Shell Ditto, or grotesque, Painting in Water Colours and Mezzo tinto; also the art of taking off Foliage, with several other Embellishments."<br /><br />Drawing, painting and other artistic skills were highly valued since most artwork in the home and church was created by the women. One author pointed out, "In eighteenth-century America such art as women produced was likely to be the only art available in the home and as such it had an invaluable place in adding form and beauty to otherwise plain surroundings. Many women found fulfillment and satisfaction in the decorative arts, and the high quality of some of their work is evident in those few pieces that have found their way into museums."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fA84vJZARiijWjKOGxAVx_LBqS50JuZ-d5DnV6appGpnKSK_vkLLnOc51P0yiHlU7N-7EzoWm5zU-jd9BEnzbW6nbOeYC1OcSBZQhl7er0OOirDSP1AgUIdRtgx94lc37udvMCNPH7I/s1600/shoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fA84vJZARiijWjKOGxAVx_LBqS50JuZ-d5DnV6appGpnKSK_vkLLnOc51P0yiHlU7N-7EzoWm5zU-jd9BEnzbW6nbOeYC1OcSBZQhl7er0OOirDSP1AgUIdRtgx94lc37udvMCNPH7I/s400/shoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696094190902465090" /></a><br /><br />Music was another valued skill in the 1800s. Again, we in our modern culture of radio, television, CD players, iPods, and city and school orchestra programs often forget that most 1800s music was created by people themselves. Someone then who could sing and play the piano or guitar was highly appreciated in homes and community gatherings.<br /><br /><u>Conclusion</u><br />So what is the conclusion of all this? That southern ladies were far more educated than we have been led to think. Testifying to this are the many women’s educational institutions, the many well-written female diaries and journals, and the many stunning pieces of artwork and needlework surviving to this day.<br /><br />But even more telling is another obvious fact. During the War Between the States, southern society continued to operate in an orderly and well-run fashion – in the absence of the men. In other words, the businesses, the plantations, the homes and churches were all being run in large part by the women! The fact that business and culture continued to operate in an orderly manner is a fascinating testimony to the educational level of the women of the South.<br /> <br /><u>So why do we care?</u><br />British statesman Edmund Burke declared, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." If we merely talk about our history and don’t learn from its lessons, we are in danger of repeating mistakes made by our ancestors. I don’t want this blog to be merely an interesting academic exercise. I want to consider what we can learn from this study of women’s education in the South. Several thoughts occur to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikakVJ2iUh2QZevBNuIZCbunGs1ayDHRvzxZqnJ8AxiXWkagNS0gBnSRymo98LKb-q9kwIL0nziVDjU8z32P_T1sW-IUNGpCwAbPgctp-5wfh1MqTBzIaZgYugF5GnfNloTlmdfxGAF4E/s1600/mother-child.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikakVJ2iUh2QZevBNuIZCbunGs1ayDHRvzxZqnJ8AxiXWkagNS0gBnSRymo98LKb-q9kwIL0nziVDjU8z32P_T1sW-IUNGpCwAbPgctp-5wfh1MqTBzIaZgYugF5GnfNloTlmdfxGAF4E/s400/mother-child.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696085596779434738" /></a><br /><br /><i>Education cannot be separated from your religious worldview.</i> As I touched on in my previous blog entry on education, the Northern religious viewpoint of man perfecting himself by his own effort conflicted with the Southern understanding of each man’s need to personally receive grace from God to improve himself. This led to an entirely different understanding of how education should be given. Those who say we must keep religion out of classrooms fail to understand that one’s religious worldview – even if it's atheism – influences all educational efforts.<br /><br /><i>Formal or institutional education does not guarantee better education.</i> This is a point that is being proven all over again by the modern homeschooling movement. Knowledge can be gained as easily outside the classroom as inside of it – and sometimes more accurately. A well-schooled individual does not necessarily imply a well-educated individual. Education can happen in any setting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jRinK9td-8dVMLal-mcRsvolMULNEauZyuldKTyqnLWHzawUaMnO3wbe1vEn5A8G1dWUZPI5RPHhn-8HB6LkC4bYu30iEjYyGvYkcndU4jQIKjnj1yjsIERXM1PYq4PzxK4f_3jQbxw/s1600/12809antique_globe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jRinK9td-8dVMLal-mcRsvolMULNEauZyuldKTyqnLWHzawUaMnO3wbe1vEn5A8G1dWUZPI5RPHhn-8HB6LkC4bYu30iEjYyGvYkcndU4jQIKjnj1yjsIERXM1PYq4PzxK4f_3jQbxw/s400/12809antique_globe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696095918231727938" /></a><br /><br /><i>And finally, state-controlled education is the tool of those who want to subjugate nations.</i> Social philosopher Hannah Arendt said, "The aim of totalitarian education has never been to instill convictions but to destroy the capacity to form any." Karl Marx insisted that in order to convert a society to socialism, "The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother's care, shall be in state institutions." Horace Mann, the northerner called the father of the mandatory public school movement observed, "We who are engaged in the sacred cause of education are entitled to look upon all parents as having given hostages to our cause."<br /><br />We should take this as a solemn warning for our times. If we want to change our culture for the better, the first step we must consider is opting out of the state’s educational system. Otherwise, we will lose succeeding generations as they are indoctrinated with a faulty worldview and false history. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4pJnWk5I8vzlSGFktQarreVXSQcaQ7VKr1ZBpTqqKh5rc_Okl8FpZ9tZbgrA7bV_HNibkuziUISZTOkypz3U1YQKAT0004ShqM7RNks3qorPxeRb_F7_lvkyHYuKJxAd2tYPzLFveJA/s1600/SLATE.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4pJnWk5I8vzlSGFktQarreVXSQcaQ7VKr1ZBpTqqKh5rc_Okl8FpZ9tZbgrA7bV_HNibkuziUISZTOkypz3U1YQKAT0004ShqM7RNks3qorPxeRb_F7_lvkyHYuKJxAd2tYPzLFveJA/s400/SLATE.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696090418815045922" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-51165426488876111062011-10-25T22:15:00.001-04:002011-10-25T22:18:50.431-04:00Sneak Preview...Whew! I've been working on THREE ballgowns this week! Evidently everyone is getting ready for the holiday ball season! I shall do Part 2 of the Southern Women's Education series soon. For now, sewing is taking over my life. (Isn't that fun?)<br /><br />Here is a quick peek at what I'm working on. The light blue dress will probably be trimmed in white and silver. The green dress will be trimmed with ivory and maybe a touch of red for Christmas time. And the gold and purple gown... well, I'll just let you wait and see it when it's done! (It just happens to be for me. :D)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9g2OrcOG2HO7fslHVxAtkKPYhzIOtVyiDdReyYYCss6GCa9P7-i_AwkSoMOvLE8eJMWR1I6HaOvEZyLBOE24pFsNGfSWo83miN11LPIXXTDurvokurENdruiXaDiamMPUB8a1RZffag/s1600/IMG_9402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9g2OrcOG2HO7fslHVxAtkKPYhzIOtVyiDdReyYYCss6GCa9P7-i_AwkSoMOvLE8eJMWR1I6HaOvEZyLBOE24pFsNGfSWo83miN11LPIXXTDurvokurENdruiXaDiamMPUB8a1RZffag/s400/IMG_9402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667619363517525330" /></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-4749723946272022752011-10-19T22:37:00.001-04:002015-05-02T14:02:39.074-04:00The Education of a Confederate Woman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TaKappEMBw2xOd0hEVvBQeU7Es5AMkNx7GpqMgH-g4kq5P35K5rZduVGDHvt_B18UL6XBLhTOD_bxxTitTgWK5H-h9Qpww0tjTw6DNXeID606g8MTlwkO6kyTkbZFotprNQpPUDMXA/s1600/VictorianWomanReading.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7TaKappEMBw2xOd0hEVvBQeU7Es5AMkNx7GpqMgH-g4kq5P35K5rZduVGDHvt_B18UL6XBLhTOD_bxxTitTgWK5H-h9Qpww0tjTw6DNXeID606g8MTlwkO6kyTkbZFotprNQpPUDMXA/s200/VictorianWomanReading.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665407073183565842" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 118px;" /></a><br />
As I mentioned in my last blog entry, one of the subjects I studied this year about the Victorian era is "The Education of a Confederate Woman." It turned out to be a fascinating journey into history, with some surprising (at least, to me) results!<br />
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<u>Define Your Terms</u><br />
First off, what did "education" mean in the Victorian era? <a href="http://www.1828-dictionary.com/">Webster’s 1828 Dictionary</a> gives us a clue: <br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.</span><br />
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Whew! That's a lot more than what we typically call "education" today! Victorians evidently took academic instruction seriously. To them, a good education prepares you for every aspect of life: physical, mental, and spiritual. <br />
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<u>The Right Time Frame</u><br />
If education is meant to prepare someone with the skills and maturity for life, then it's important to view an educational process <span style="font-style: italic;">within its own time frame</span>. We shouldn't judge an educational system based on our society’s needs – instead we should figure out what knowledge and skills were necessary for that time period before deciding if someone was well-educated or not. Some requirements for maturity transcend all eras, right? But many skills are specific to a certain time frame. We could say that someone who doesn’t have computer skills is uneducated. But in the 1800s, computer skills weren’t necessary. Duh. They'd probably think <span style="font-style: italic;">we're</span> uneducated if we don't know how to milk a cow! <br />
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<u>Victorian Interest In Women’s Education</u><br />
There was a rise in interest in women’s education during the 1800s for several reasons. One reason was that there was a rise in American belief that we should have an educated citizenry. And mothers were the first, and sometimes only, teachers of their children so it made sense to educate them so that they in turn could properly educate their children. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Rush">Benjamin Rush</a>, one of our country’s founders wrote a treatise called "Thoughts Upon Female Education" in 1787. In it he stated this: "The equal share that every citizen has in the liberty and the possible share he may have in the government of our country make it necessary that our ladies should be qualified to a certain degree, by a peculiar [or particular] and suitable education, to concur in instructing their sons in the principles of liberty and government." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrwWIayKSa9w9Ig4Qwo15OxxfacAbTgMPeZzqKs3T6GLDdp4igWr5Usaw3wt6vR8kHbjlFifrSRu9uxv1_3cm7A1G1PbhlxClidIC_Gw1FUqrAarYFR7i72aTrL1qCH6tpZrfLzrkgGk/s1600/refurbished-antique-victorian-kitchen-stove.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrwWIayKSa9w9Ig4Qwo15OxxfacAbTgMPeZzqKs3T6GLDdp4igWr5Usaw3wt6vR8kHbjlFifrSRu9uxv1_3cm7A1G1PbhlxClidIC_Gw1FUqrAarYFR7i72aTrL1qCH6tpZrfLzrkgGk/s320/refurbished-antique-victorian-kitchen-stove.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665409892342257154" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 276px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
A second reason for the rising interest in women’s education was that the industrial revolution provided women with more time for reading and study. Gas light prolonged reading hours in the evening. Sewing machines and factory-made fabric began to take the place of spinning, weaving and hand sewing. Cook stoves and matches took the place of cooking over open fires that had to be carefully banked each night to save the coals. Those are just a few of the time-saving advances that were made in housekeeping in the 1800s. Women simply had more time to read, write and study.<br />
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And finally, education has generally been considered important in Christian nations because Christians believe it is the duty of everyone to read the Bible. Thus, census and legal records show that our nation experienced an almost 100% literacy rate from its infancy. Though early legal records generally only record men’s literacy rates, the fact that women were the first and sometimes primary teachers of children – even male children – shows that women’s literacy rates weren’t far behind men’s. As early as 1647, in what has been commonly called the <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/docs/DeluderSatan.pdf">"Old Deluder Satan Law,"</a> the motivation for education was linked with reading and understanding the Scriptures. <br />
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<u>Politics’ Role in Victorian Education</u><br />
Of course, you can't talk about a Confederate Woman's education without mentioning the Civil War. We know there were many worldview conflicts between the North and the South leading up to the war and we tend to hear mostly about states’ rights and slavery, but these were by no means the only (or even the most fundamental) issues of disagreement between the two cultures.<br />
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One of the great political debates leading up to the War Between the States was whether the federal government had any business being involved in public projects and improvements, one of which was education. Both the Whig and Republican Parties, of which Abraham Lincoln was a member, believed the federal government should centralize and control many things, education included. They tended toward a socialist view of education that says the school system must be federally-owned and federally-controlled. <br />
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A chief proponent of this centralization of education was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann">Horace Mann</a>, sometimes called the Father of the Public School Movement. He insisted that taxpayer-supported, compulsory, universal public education was necessary. "'With government education and a hundred years, all streets will be safe,' Mann said. 'You will be able to walk anywhere. Men will love one another. It will be like the garden of God again.'" (I refrain from making any comments about his lack of prophetic powers 150 years later!) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g4KdwLU74f3w7nT6AgyeQabbrNcemWXIe1H47Ntc9h-pistmnZSMOj7r97b_xKiwEkQ-_vAmK1QEAEav2S30_GLbIYbGIySYXzL1SMGtsQT-j3mIocvUXEatnIxQYMNz8QwRoLyQEiI/s1600/woman-writing-a-book.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g4KdwLU74f3w7nT6AgyeQabbrNcemWXIe1H47Ntc9h-pistmnZSMOj7r97b_xKiwEkQ-_vAmK1QEAEav2S30_GLbIYbGIySYXzL1SMGtsQT-j3mIocvUXEatnIxQYMNz8QwRoLyQEiI/s200/woman-writing-a-book.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665408753579901714" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
An interesting side note is that many Northerners also favored state-mandated education because they believed it would be purely Protestant-run and thus would push out the Catholics. The Irish Catholic immigrants were unwelcome in the North, and public education was viewed as a way to homogenize school children’s religious view and eradicate Catholicism. <br />
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Southerners, on the other hand, believed in local control of education. They certainly were not against providing free education to the poor, but believed it must be properly managed by the people, not a federal bureaucracy. A famous South Carolinian, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wade_Hampton_III">Wade Hampton</a>, observed, "'Free schools for the poorest as well as the richest, black as well as white' must be 'within the reach of all classes.'" But for Hampton, these "free schools" were to be funded by people in the state of South Carolina, not the federal government. <br />
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Southern states all had their charity schools and many funded state support for various educational institutions. But these educational endeavors were usually co-funded with the school students themselves and were locally controlled, thus emphasizing personal responsibility rather than governmental control. If the South had won the war, it’s possible our school system would look very different from what it is today.<br />
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So with all the conflict between Northern and Southern worldviews, it’s not surprising that the South’s vision for women’s education was different from the North’s. In the North, feminists were striving for college education for women because they wanted women to enter the workforce with men. They were strident in their desire to put men and women on the same plane in the workforce. Because of this stridency and perceived threat to the work arena, many men and some women in the North were against college education for women.<br />
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Southern women, on the other hand, desired college education as a means of improving themselves and making them better wives, mothers and home makers. There was little feministic striving or protesting. Men and women of the South, therefore, considered female college education to be desirable and there was little resistance to it.<br />
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<u>The South As An Education Innovator</u><br />
The old South is often portrayed by modern sources as being uneducated and backward, stuck in ancient religious traditions of illiteracy and repression of women. Nothing could be further from the truth however, especially before the destructive period of the 1860s (many southern schools were shut down by the war and subsequent "reconstruction").<br />
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One source remarks, "The South evidenced the greatest interest in female colleges of any region of the nation." This same source observes, "The antebellum South was an innovator in collegiate education for women, which was explicitly designed to be the equivalent of men’s colleges. The legacy of the South’s pioneering role is that it became the pathway to the present."<br />
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<u>Some Examples</u><br />
Possibly the first academic institution opened for girls in America was the <a href="http://ursulineneworleans.org/about-ursuline/our-heritage/">Ursaline Academy</a>, opened by Ursaline nuns in 1727 in New Orleans. It is the oldest continuously operating women’s institution in the US, only shutting down briefly in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina.<br />
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<a href="http://www.salem.edu/about/our-history">Salem College</a>, originally founded as "The Little Girls School," is a liberal arts women's college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina founded in 1772. Originally established as a primary school, it later became an academy (high school) and finally a college. It is the oldest female educational establishment that is still a women's college. It is the oldest female institution in the Southern United States.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrSh-TheCIS_l6ctQHsWs-59zd-AK_yh630xNqb3SN5_RoUDziiJdrwQ_MYArMcOi-4sQF7-38OtiBK7rkLDc9jy9MCIjN0kYW7jNtXuC7ipaynbHxPRB5NDpjOM1zjEtk1igICLzB_o/s1600/salem+college.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrSh-TheCIS_l6ctQHsWs-59zd-AK_yh630xNqb3SN5_RoUDziiJdrwQ_MYArMcOi-4sQF7-38OtiBK7rkLDc9jy9MCIjN0kYW7jNtXuC7ipaynbHxPRB5NDpjOM1zjEtk1igICLzB_o/s400/salem+college.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665410804076268706" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 241px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The first true women’s college, offering an education comparable to men's colleges, was Georgia Female College in Macon, GA. It chartered on December 23, 1836 and opened its doors to students on January 7, 1839. It is now <a href="http://www.wesleyancollege.edu/About/HistoryoftheCollege/tabid/134/Default.aspx">Wesleyan College</a>. <br />
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In 1847, Cherokee Nation Chief John Ross began building two educational institutions in Park Hill and Tahlequah, Oklahoma. One was for female students, the other for male students. Both schools were opened in 1851 as public education institutions which taught the equivalent of high school curriculum. One quote said that the Cherokee Female Seminary was the first and finest institution of higher learning for women west of the Mississippi River. The seminary shut down during the war and had difficulty starting again during reconstruction. Eventually the federal government took over when Oklahoma gained statehood. The seminary is now <a href="http://www.nsuok.edu/GettingStarted/NSUsHeritage.aspx">Northeastern State University of Oklahoma</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hynOWcpupRmhuYUyEKPEFurLxCB0x4dGGorCeZhlQgyBWFxmhmAd5U5gWzBD2Hauxujy9LdTlSwsY5qH9NUArwFmmgLISp0uZZ6FmJbukYVey_XZeDNvB7s4MimVCNzXbC1zZjdJlAc/s1600/columbia-history-class1881.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hynOWcpupRmhuYUyEKPEFurLxCB0x4dGGorCeZhlQgyBWFxmhmAd5U5gWzBD2Hauxujy9LdTlSwsY5qH9NUArwFmmgLISp0uZZ6FmJbukYVey_XZeDNvB7s4MimVCNzXbC1zZjdJlAc/s200/columbia-history-class1881.gif" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665405619293751170" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 136px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
Founded in 1854, <a href="http://www.columbiacollegesc.edu/about/history.asp">Columbia College</a> is one of the oldest women's colleges in the United States. (To the right is a picture of some of the class of 1881.) Columbia Female College officially opened in 1859 with an initial student body of 121 and a faculty of 16. When General Sherman and his troops marched through Columbia in 1865, the school had to close. It was saved from being torched only because Professor of Music W. H. Orchard, having heard that all unoccupied buildings would be burned by a certain hour, left his home to stand in the doorway of the College where he could be seen by the troops. The school was reopened in 1873.<br />
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I have long lists of more southern women's colleges and schools, but these are a good sampling of what I found. Wow! Not exactly the story we often hear about those "backward, repressive southerners," is it?<br />
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In my next blog post, I'll go into detail about what a southern woman would have learned and exactly what types of schooling were available to her. <br />
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For now... go hug your mom! She's your first teacher, just like those southern women were!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-66519091160916988232011-10-15T22:18:00.000-04:002011-10-15T22:45:36.769-04:00Ten Months Is Too Long......to wait to update my blog! Tsk tsk! I shall have to do better.<br /><br />But in my defense, it's been a busy, exciting year! <br /><br />Now I must admit, the year started off badly... very badly. First off, I wound up with a bad case of "tummy trouble" which turned out to be ulcers. Ouch. I was thrilled when we discovered some diet changes that allowed me to eat normally and without pain once again. The health issues slowed me down considerably during the first half of this year though.<br /><br />And THEN, the week before Christmas, we had a pipe burst in the eaves and it flooded 2/3 of our three-story house. No furniture was irreparably damaged, and neither were the 10,000+ old books we have. But the ceilings, walls, and flooring (wood and carpet) nearly all had to be replaced. Till we finished dealing with insurance agents, contractors, and our own nutsoid schedules, it was June till our house was put back to normal!<br /><br />Here is a picture of some of the 15 (or so) industrial strength dehumidifiers and fans we had in our house during January!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lDYI_fWLvvm7Bj63PR3F4tTGM8UZmFe_QeFfoYTGONtaGQJHCAVZaeRQhvbNQeh6sNaAZEjUJNELoTQPFcJdl6orQT7XDlu0kSw_Cxtokvm68upLx00L91d-6acXt3ZtDqLjNlsboA8/s1600/155805_10150100333533200_570538199_7423800_3067500_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lDYI_fWLvvm7Bj63PR3F4tTGM8UZmFe_QeFfoYTGONtaGQJHCAVZaeRQhvbNQeh6sNaAZEjUJNELoTQPFcJdl6orQT7XDlu0kSw_Cxtokvm68upLx00L91d-6acXt3ZtDqLjNlsboA8/s400/155805_10150100333533200_570538199_7423800_3067500_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663910211029822050" /></a><br /><br />In the midst of this awful mess, however, I kept sewing!! Besides garments for customers, I managed to make myself several new gowns as well. Here is one of them. I just love this color of blue!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6WAJGtaCzEweeCt3YiKut50aZAAhudH-3IADBA3jz4B-92BfybM28CTx5ITTX94pLFVx64VsnatxcyUYKo2UEqGcaLLDG4Jf2N4AvRyjDglyO-UIoMcgoGHTdhLL9IlqLiToaQoHRSg/s1600/newdress1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6WAJGtaCzEweeCt3YiKut50aZAAhudH-3IADBA3jz4B-92BfybM28CTx5ITTX94pLFVx64VsnatxcyUYKo2UEqGcaLLDG4Jf2N4AvRyjDglyO-UIoMcgoGHTdhLL9IlqLiToaQoHRSg/s400/newdress1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663911435205385554" /></a><br /><br />In April, we got to help make history. We were there on the morning of April 12, 2011 to watch the 150th commemoration of the firing on Fort Sumter, which began the Civil War. Watching the guns go off in the dusky pre-dawn was an experience I will never forget. I still get shivers thinking about it!<br /><br />There were special events all throughout the week of April 12 and we attended as many of them as we could. Here is a special four-generation photo of the ladies in our family at one of the sesquicentennial events.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoCj1ThhJl-eFo3hiToxRA4o9CQnvmg4vYGgvDp3OfQdANm8z_Ckka92VzXDxEUVUnMvUgvGOJXx-Ku6OC_qXxIJLQZz14JNnU9z_goxQfJHXtPpZmHj0PJlzazXVVYgojcjcs08V1K8/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoCj1ThhJl-eFo3hiToxRA4o9CQnvmg4vYGgvDp3OfQdANm8z_Ckka92VzXDxEUVUnMvUgvGOJXx-Ku6OC_qXxIJLQZz14JNnU9z_goxQfJHXtPpZmHj0PJlzazXVVYgojcjcs08V1K8/s400/IMG_6364.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663912059866473618" /></a><br /><br />I continued to do research on the Civil War era, both for my sewing business and for my own enjoyment. I presented a program for the United Daughters of the Confederacy on "The Education of the Confederate Woman." That was a fascinating topic to study! Here I am at the UDC meeting - and that's my sewing business display in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3UvZBn_hDrYn2VuZL5yOwrUDZCwTfDchRtfySmV5eMiqfp3xhhTp4SsD4LMxoQj2REFn8DHH5C8Lf04R1d_qiWby8bcMsEEim4gKxGvD1JqUabDDVC1AT2iX_cxPr6t3wSHnQZ2j0t4/s1600/IMG_5807.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3UvZBn_hDrYn2VuZL5yOwrUDZCwTfDchRtfySmV5eMiqfp3xhhTp4SsD4LMxoQj2REFn8DHH5C8Lf04R1d_qiWby8bcMsEEim4gKxGvD1JqUabDDVC1AT2iX_cxPr6t3wSHnQZ2j0t4/s400/IMG_5807.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663911257616522594" /></a><br /><br />And of course, our family has continued to enjoy attending reenactments this year! This is me helping one of our unit members to wash up after a yummy supper at the tent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRMvomj9nUckAwpvwIwAKo8g5woyh4Qpumaisvae66TXznte9srdLmIWDFpLkZJ9ugUmWcLYnECbue3PPh634YN7gIyyzP9C1-vgAD9vkiOLeKYRyZaFVL7btN3Dy0jAYn4XvEvvo2u8/s1600/IMG_7755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRMvomj9nUckAwpvwIwAKo8g5woyh4Qpumaisvae66TXznte9srdLmIWDFpLkZJ9ugUmWcLYnECbue3PPh634YN7gIyyzP9C1-vgAD9vkiOLeKYRyZaFVL7btN3Dy0jAYn4XvEvvo2u8/s400/IMG_7755.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663910853518565362" /></a><br /><br />All in all, it's been a good year so far - and some of the most fun events are yet to come! I'm looking forward to attending the Remembrance Days in Gettysburg this November. And our family is hosting our annual Christmas Ball in December. (A great excuse for a new ball dress, right? :D)<br /><br />Hopefully I shall find time to update my blog more frequently in the upcoming months. Thanks, faithful readers, for not giving up on me! Until next time...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-11746008637614090232010-12-20T20:59:00.000-05:002010-12-20T21:28:12.678-05:00Why I Haven't Blogged LatelyMy local sewing business has been swamped the last few months with Christmas coming up. Here are six dresses I made since September.<br /><br />This first one is my own dress... I had, ahem, outgrown my last authentic Civil War ballgown. (sheepish grin)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJUWQBDRrMM8Lz3wbpwhUaRyP-YwFuj6GXJ5biqAHMG6rbMmBDDKWy577DDUYfIz-PXig35CqCF52Kv3g9C9BhWN6GdMNk51CSbc_0fD465f2QBJaJuI-L5X9sjzJKGF2-_nPYtbs5Ws/s1600/heather+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJUWQBDRrMM8Lz3wbpwhUaRyP-YwFuj6GXJ5biqAHMG6rbMmBDDKWy577DDUYfIz-PXig35CqCF52Kv3g9C9BhWN6GdMNk51CSbc_0fD465f2QBJaJuI-L5X9sjzJKGF2-_nPYtbs5Ws/s400/heather+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552953731338210818" /></a><br /><br />I only made half of this dress. Doesn't my sis look pretty? She was going to make the whole thing but ran out of time. So we did a little bartering and I wound up helping her with it. That's what sisters are for, right?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVGVnptzF_OVbGlCEhO306Gr22ZLjORoK7UTXWan060NCbe0TjuDuFXi01txTzND0QzFuASQB5cozdiPq7qMeBrplZMb9-lXvxKh4tzjl2Ud1BOcoFq30nZMOQ0u-Gt-icPY8JwHTRhA/s1600/raquelle+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVGVnptzF_OVbGlCEhO306Gr22ZLjORoK7UTXWan060NCbe0TjuDuFXi01txTzND0QzFuASQB5cozdiPq7qMeBrplZMb9-lXvxKh4tzjl2Ud1BOcoFq30nZMOQ0u-Gt-icPY8JwHTRhA/s400/raquelle+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552953725024816898" /></a><br /><br />This is a cotton ball gown for reenacting. The lady I made it for wanted to be able to wash it after reenactment dances out on the grass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsfPZlS_0kyKpw8bdr6Uazf9yqbr3iOuZYw520UqrFnmtuKgGFaoHpmVtNOVftyKfr2wVEGXeuhaiaaqjASCFL3Gja9bzV1PF71NwZaoFVQXtZLZKg_uw14Of4GTe3wwoiNRgCtw9wAo/s1600/grandma2+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsfPZlS_0kyKpw8bdr6Uazf9yqbr3iOuZYw520UqrFnmtuKgGFaoHpmVtNOVftyKfr2wVEGXeuhaiaaqjASCFL3Gja9bzV1PF71NwZaoFVQXtZLZKg_uw14Of4GTe3wwoiNRgCtw9wAo/s400/grandma2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552952608216912226" /></a><br /><br />Doesn't she look pretty? The fabric is shot silk - something very authentic for the 1860s time period. I love the look of this dress.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqTBnlwzYKhfP42MzFR7rRFIISLRzTaZYJhPihq0ohdgoWEYx7MNr6J5Hy6KzMwJFuX5b0vUWtMfDmVR49RJ9ZlpEN_K5fwPpCUe3uBJw9wRWajh1z47HdI0DiZpGGd-O-gjknSdErPw/s1600/grandma+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqTBnlwzYKhfP42MzFR7rRFIISLRzTaZYJhPihq0ohdgoWEYx7MNr6J5Hy6KzMwJFuX5b0vUWtMfDmVR49RJ9ZlpEN_K5fwPpCUe3uBJw9wRWajh1z47HdI0DiZpGGd-O-gjknSdErPw/s400/grandma+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552952597875765538" /></a><br /><br />This is me modeling another dress I made for someone. This turned out to be a really gorgeous outfit!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR8tuh0PJ2xANzKR30tBIIkZzSI0btG3VjLvDvxzIHyhp_d4UQlmm_mzfdLNGPGKQAuWbQq_6u_ByEEGOfDMoNLxtVXZQL2yXmfPTtQxw_lBoKhqoA-kxKgTZyXDZUDYoPvy6vDOUj2Y/s1600/caroline+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR8tuh0PJ2xANzKR30tBIIkZzSI0btG3VjLvDvxzIHyhp_d4UQlmm_mzfdLNGPGKQAuWbQq_6u_ByEEGOfDMoNLxtVXZQL2yXmfPTtQxw_lBoKhqoA-kxKgTZyXDZUDYoPvy6vDOUj2Y/s400/caroline+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552952587012713714" /></a><br /><br />Here's some closeup detail on the bodice. I love the lines of the lace!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXUUe3jM9mPjmG9RGmApz3FFYuTiXqkjUz194owRAwWCXlToFP2H_gJ2-VLF-iU6cNFM_aEBm-X5f7OkO6czr2iugMleg9dP8lGnEug6s0xNjZiPnoajnRuhyq-B9UK5SKILZ8jro-tY/s1600/caroline2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXUUe3jM9mPjmG9RGmApz3FFYuTiXqkjUz194owRAwWCXlToFP2H_gJ2-VLF-iU6cNFM_aEBm-X5f7OkO6czr2iugMleg9dP8lGnEug6s0xNjZiPnoajnRuhyq-B9UK5SKILZ8jro-tY/s400/caroline2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552952593557058226" /></a><br /><br />It is so fun to see the personalities of different ladies in the dresses they choose. This dress is just perfect for this lady!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KTjdCb0pBdXAaY0MTWck8uDDwij5OTn_LnusAEmM2F3p4oZTcDRRH2DHX3TkVsxOUi2kSlpYJTkQJkLcUPN1Tczpk0XLKlqiU3QUw33Cd5Kbh9Ic4VuYEGBkX32IWDHCJD2EfFMPK8A/s1600/Amy+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KTjdCb0pBdXAaY0MTWck8uDDwij5OTn_LnusAEmM2F3p4oZTcDRRH2DHX3TkVsxOUi2kSlpYJTkQJkLcUPN1Tczpk0XLKlqiU3QUw33Cd5Kbh9Ic4VuYEGBkX32IWDHCJD2EfFMPK8A/s400/Amy+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552952587855517170" /></a><br /><br />And there you have it! When I have time, I hope to do some research for another blog post on the Victorian era. For now, you'll just have to enjoy these lovely photos.<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-88365340460461456122010-09-01T11:49:00.000-04:002010-09-20T22:53:47.548-04:00Victorian Sewing MachinesI'd be lost without my sewing machine! I don't mind hand sewing and hand finishing items in moderation. However, I'm an instant gratification person when it comes to making clothing - I wanna see those seams whipped out in no time!<br /><br />But I have to admit I sometimes take my sewing machine for granted. Sewing machines have only been around in households for about 150 years. My great great grandmothers did all their sewing by hand!<br /><br /><u>Where did the sewing machine come from?</u><br />The sewing machine was invented separately, several times, around the world. Countries inventing it include Britain (Thomas Saint, 1791), Austria (Josef Madersperger, 1814), France (Barthélemy Thimonnier, 1830), and the United States (Walter Hunt, 1833 and Elias Howe, 1845). <br /><br />That's not all the inventors involved though! More inventors joined in by inventing the foot peddle (Isaac Merritt Singer), a reciprocating shuttle (Allen B. Wilson and John Bradshaw), and buttonhole stitching (Charles Miller), just to name a few. <br /><br />Early machines were powered by a hand crank, like the one shown below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbqzwipgyyzOSgO6imTcgHR-1phxFfy4OEV1FNB5DvXFKWmUv_LnLVgYsJBEnPrYyhJPnBlxPzLbkQ3KgbK499EKgn1-4X9bf56rcTaqXgfEprnH3JjYMugtKH8MpwwTbV9BF_aJxJBA/s1600/Elias_Howe_Sewing_Machine_1846.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbqzwipgyyzOSgO6imTcgHR-1phxFfy4OEV1FNB5DvXFKWmUv_LnLVgYsJBEnPrYyhJPnBlxPzLbkQ3KgbK499EKgn1-4X9bf56rcTaqXgfEprnH3JjYMugtKH8MpwwTbV9BF_aJxJBA/s400/Elias_Howe_Sewing_Machine_1846.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494920286878486802" /></a><br /><u>Then what happened?</u><br />But all this inventing led to problems as the various inventors claimed patent infringements, formed their own companies and began suing each other right and left. In fact, in the 1850s, the fracas was so intense it has been called the Sewing Machine War! It took two smart guys to end the strife and bring sewing machines into the common man's - or woman's - household.<br /><br />The first smart man was a lawyer, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_B._Potter">Orlando B. Potter</a>. He suggested that instead of the sewing machine combatants suing each other and wasting profits, the various sewing machine manufacturers pool their patents and form one company. This is one of the earliest examples of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_pool">patent-pools</a>. After this, the gurus of sewing machines apparently co-existed peacefully, if not harmoniously.<br /><br />The second smart man to come along was a colorful character, Mr. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Singer">Isaac Merritt Singer</a>. Isaac was one of the warring inventors. His alter personalities included acting and being an entrepreneur. Singer was one of the manufacturers who joined forces in the patent pool. But it was Singer's vision that took sewing machines from the realm of manufacturing factories and brought them into homes by the simple method of a time-payment scheme that allowed people to afford these machines. Singer's company continued to be cutting edge throughout its history - in 1889, the Singer Sewing Machine Co. also offered the first electrically-powered sewing machine.<br /><br />As a side note, Singer apparently used his acting abilities in other areas as well, managing to maintain several wives and families at once. Reports are that he fathered children by at least five women in America and France and had over twenty children at his death in 1875. <br /><br />Though I can't say much for his morals, he certainly left his mark on the American sewing experience! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Jc7tsZ41FMrWBdXkoRwvGgr_4Qy2GKlZy2V2s6IdBYbmSTnCOelm04sjXCxrrgPHfDmjmlAQaHtV1E-x-6w5E5wRH4F0QMsGuT29gRFijnDreOPvene_czTE2N2u7mGrd2zH4FwDH7A/s1600/IMSinger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Jc7tsZ41FMrWBdXkoRwvGgr_4Qy2GKlZy2V2s6IdBYbmSTnCOelm04sjXCxrrgPHfDmjmlAQaHtV1E-x-6w5E5wRH4F0QMsGuT29gRFijnDreOPvene_czTE2N2u7mGrd2zH4FwDH7A/s400/IMSinger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494914704810918594" /></a><br /><br /><center><i>At 6'4", Isaac Merritt Singer was an imposing, flashy figure</i></center><br /><br /><u>Wilcox & Gibbs</u><br />Sewing machine invention seems to have attracted smart people. Another sharp cookie was a farmer from Virginia, James Gibbs. He happened to see a picture of an early sewing machine in a newspaper and made one himself - based on the picture - out of wood! He later discovered that his machine was one of the first to use the chain stitch and he therefore patented his design in 1857. He teamed up with another inventor, James Wilcox, and the famous sewing machine company <a href="http://www.sewalot.com/willcox_gibbs.htm">Wilcox & Gibbs</a> was formed. (If you're thinking, "Famous? I never heard of 'em," that's okay. Talk to sewing machine collectors - they rave about Wilcox & Gibbs machines.)<br /><br />Besides all the clever inventions their machine had, Wilcox & Gibbs made another smart move - they sold their machine for half of what their competitors charged. For a mere $50 (unlike the competitors' $100 price tag), a Wilcox & Gibbs could be yours. Their machines, naturally, sold like hotcakes.<br /><br />Perhaps their success was also due to a great marketing strategy which included an (apparently made up) sewing machine trial (wherein their machine came out best, of course!) and cute little poems like this one that appeared around 1865.<br /><br /><center><i>If one thread will do,<br />Why bother with two,<br />To break, to confuse, and to tangle?<br />There is not a sound<br />When my looper goes round,<br />No shuttles or bobbins to jangle.<br /><br />I am quick, yet I make<br />Not a single mistake,<br />You have only to keep me agoing.<br />And I never will shirk<br />The least bit of your work.<br />But do all the family sewing.<br /><br />And by all 'tis confest,<br />Who have tried, that I best<br />Can fine robes for dear baby prepare;<br />While the boisterous boy<br />Will fail to destroy<br />My work with the roughest of Wear.<br /><br />And when the fair maid<br />Is for bridal arrayed<br />I make with the neatest of seams,<br />The elegant trousseau,<br />That gratifies you so,<br /><br />And fills the fond lover with dreams!</i></center><br /><br />As it happens, a reenacting friend of mine has one of these lovely little machines and she let me use a picture of it for my blog. Her machine is dated July 4, 1871. Note the hand-crank on the side. Also note a sly bit of self-promotion - the machine is shaped like an upper case G for Gibbs!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAFv_e6RGg5fAjZQ7nXBIgNoCdK6dUmJQ4JZpgT9tvMu5BJse0vh4IUQEs1knMqIGdh5UTCvgklQWkP5p_gNihMiBxtlz93NlMlqPSVWGOuaHjWqWQCDgMWrn8Yua_6wsp3sp1dCITKY/s1600/IMG_9426.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAFv_e6RGg5fAjZQ7nXBIgNoCdK6dUmJQ4JZpgT9tvMu5BJse0vh4IUQEs1knMqIGdh5UTCvgklQWkP5p_gNihMiBxtlz93NlMlqPSVWGOuaHjWqWQCDgMWrn8Yua_6wsp3sp1dCITKY/s400/IMG_9426.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494903181386019794" /></a><br /><u>Badging</u><br />Sewing machine manufacture started in New England. As sewing machine manufacture grew through the mid and late 1800s, companies began moving westward. Many companies sold their machines through catalogs and department stores, which led to "badging" - an interesting problem in tracing an antique machine's history. <br /><br />Companies supplying big lots of machines to stores such as Macy's would obligingly change the name of the machine to whatever the customer - in this case Macy's - wanted. So if your machine says on it, "Elgin Sewing Machine Co.," (as one of ours happens to say) that may not mean it was really manufactured by an Elgin Sewing Machine Co.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nfsP3GNm4o8q3AHhWxwEmm8hSWouwNp7CUTjXSV7KZdaE7hrXQDzeSeY0AR-8XM3FvsGi5dbNxFS_h_Vy_v4Q78HGCSntaQw7l3adjLij_Rfc9pbMSWPyBebZWPR3H06zBPpiEF59uY/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nfsP3GNm4o8q3AHhWxwEmm8hSWouwNp7CUTjXSV7KZdaE7hrXQDzeSeY0AR-8XM3FvsGi5dbNxFS_h_Vy_v4Q78HGCSntaQw7l3adjLij_Rfc9pbMSWPyBebZWPR3H06zBPpiEF59uY/s400/IMG_1998.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504233144721540706" /></a><br /><u>Sew much change</u><br />Yep, sewing machines have surely changed over the years! Here's one of our Singers, manufactured in 1915. It's operated with a foot treadle and came with drawers full of old wooden spools of thread and rusty metal sewing notions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu8SbhVc1ByxZthMAl1AtZiqdz3klKdLOPrIBVpdJIdGSBxuQErvfksMeQpVSmebVwB9C5GpZWY4sgKsr1L4kBuBFJoriRip6OJSBAqOzHjxqWvc9b6XIABPJ3emM0k8JgfoT0Rzi3YI/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu8SbhVc1ByxZthMAl1AtZiqdz3klKdLOPrIBVpdJIdGSBxuQErvfksMeQpVSmebVwB9C5GpZWY4sgKsr1L4kBuBFJoriRip6OJSBAqOzHjxqWvc9b6XIABPJ3emM0k8JgfoT0Rzi3YI/s400/IMG_2174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504237231445411442" /></a><br /><br />Here's our latest Singer sewing machine - looks a little different, eh? This machine does everything but make coffee! I have had a blast trying out the computerized embroidery options it has.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb854MxI7LyfDeD8f0Gy4sfsOQBjBVRDTrgDTbT0S9m16xfQsDuKRWqjzmqmCvoxAhiKP3w1L0MOv84gufnP2_dYK3jp3Vq8FhLDHxRUEvqoMqXlLnkEghlr9iyfNkhHGZTMNIJUmihpU/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb854MxI7LyfDeD8f0Gy4sfsOQBjBVRDTrgDTbT0S9m16xfQsDuKRWqjzmqmCvoxAhiKP3w1L0MOv84gufnP2_dYK3jp3Vq8FhLDHxRUEvqoMqXlLnkEghlr9iyfNkhHGZTMNIJUmihpU/s400/IMG_2176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504237235003818338" /></a><br /><br />I'll leave you with a photo that covers the whole history of sewing machines at once. This is a Victorian chemise, made with straight plain seams on a sewing machine and finished by hand on the underside - just the way our great great grandmothers would have done it. But note the embroidery on the front - I confess, I did it with my cool new machine! We've come a long way in 150 years, haven't we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5q5lOEvakOG9Ot_bX2K8fmiSmq0PoAo1KuidcJo2yWQArYbk9OijKRgQWPte32ks0j5UxFGQ53WdbTGhOiNVb_wGAAw74FytTCobYifUiCoP33GEJL8iwrL0nbyBQhrVKc-TpkcPkzg/s1600/chemise-lavendar-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5q5lOEvakOG9Ot_bX2K8fmiSmq0PoAo1KuidcJo2yWQArYbk9OijKRgQWPte32ks0j5UxFGQ53WdbTGhOiNVb_wGAAw74FytTCobYifUiCoP33GEJL8iwrL0nbyBQhrVKc-TpkcPkzg/s400/chemise-lavendar-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504254849171307746" /></a><br /><center><i>Recently sold in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/southroncreations">Etsy shop.</a></i></center>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3517961179314106317.post-6130503185885398442010-07-07T17:25:00.000-04:002010-07-16T21:37:03.139-04:00Hair Art in the Victorian EraOne of the most coveted types of jewelry in the Victorian era was hair jewelry. And yet, when I bring up the subject to my friends, often their first reaction is, "Ewwwww!"<br /><br />So I've decided to explain hair jewelry more fully in hopes that you all can see how cool it really is.<br /><br />First off, remember that back in Victorian times, photography was still new and expensive. Having your portrait drawn or painted was also expensive unless you had a family member talented enough and willing to do it for free. Therefore, an easy alternative method of creating mementos for friends and family was to give them a lock of your hair.<br /><br />Hair is one of the most durable parts of our bodies (hair has been found intact on Egyptian mummies) but it is also one of the most renewable and expendable parts. So naturally, if you wanted a lasting memento of someone, hair was a good choice.<br /><br />Also, a favorite mourning accessory was hair jewelry made from the deceased loved one's hair. When Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's husband) died in 1861, Queen Victoria went into deep mourning. Since she set the fashions, mourning clothing and jewelry became the vogue. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVQnbgPbvde6C7sDiWfBYrZraN5mFP4wfAtKpEGNYT1SGmOyil3Pvb2KICAtkZtcA2GTc0z4Nz7_ep0sp1BGo20N13IL7PjTLft9yOzgLwQJThIUAkgnTUahn_2FZgHYlaFGvEERM2pA/s1600/Victoria+and+Albert.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVQnbgPbvde6C7sDiWfBYrZraN5mFP4wfAtKpEGNYT1SGmOyil3Pvb2KICAtkZtcA2GTc0z4Nz7_ep0sp1BGo20N13IL7PjTLft9yOzgLwQJThIUAkgnTUahn_2FZgHYlaFGvEERM2pA/s400/Victoria+and+Albert.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491333466802296354" /></a><br /><center><i>Victoria and Albert</i></center><br />And don't forget that the American War Between the States, which occurred from 1861-1865, also increased the use of mourning accessories. So hair jewelry's popularity was given a boost in the Victorian era.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcy8__Las_OgYitFY6q9H_S__kB_aqdmfso11JtDRM_1pF6HGn1hPdco13W7KdKHzCNSQilbu60KKL5bH1ZkmY8q901M0dnyBk8or_sRnFW6NAEK53yaIt_p0AFI-MOiMVLtatpEBYn8/s1600/civil+war+soldiers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcy8__Las_OgYitFY6q9H_S__kB_aqdmfso11JtDRM_1pF6HGn1hPdco13W7KdKHzCNSQilbu60KKL5bH1ZkmY8q901M0dnyBk8or_sRnFW6NAEK53yaIt_p0AFI-MOiMVLtatpEBYn8/s400/civil+war+soldiers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491335636153147986" /></a><br /><br />Now when I say "hair jewelry," you may be thinking of a locket with a lock of hair in it. Nope, I'm talking about real pieces of jewelry made from hair. In fact, hair could be made into scads of items such as framed portraits, landscapes, and wreaths... earrings, necklaces, and bracelets... cuff links and watch charms... and more! <br /><br />I was checking out the <a href="http://www.hairworksociety.org/">Hairwork Society</a> and was impressed with some of the awesome pictures they had. For instance, here is a picture from a hair scrapbook. Apparently this scrapbooker had locks of hair from all her family - or maybe these are her friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOh5FVYtlF8Tm9dRY3f0sSQ8eQfgESWzRHLDEm0k1OyhMAlsHfqcGy73w_q1GBf4GcwBdjSE3nlvcz8wtmfU-MaPvBbutzIEDi_EXO3OjtYVxg-m2o6k1SH13wFbnaCdMSn05g-pLlrM/s1600/IMG56.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOh5FVYtlF8Tm9dRY3f0sSQ8eQfgESWzRHLDEm0k1OyhMAlsHfqcGy73w_q1GBf4GcwBdjSE3nlvcz8wtmfU-MaPvBbutzIEDi_EXO3OjtYVxg-m2o6k1SH13wFbnaCdMSn05g-pLlrM/s400/IMG56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490912471476275906" /></a><br /><br />Even more impressive was this picture of a family-tree-hair-bouquet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kAagc7CgClv7YSggUB09mvn-SGoB_LdjAtiD6aBjuIUwPuzmztlfoNOCbsIBvPSyjadpMD8X-XXCDGGdCH8OiTxjUnaLYoRKoag_-5NpsDdTRSVm1ysDlF36ixQaWUaEkRLGWHU5uk/s1600/hair2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kAagc7CgClv7YSggUB09mvn-SGoB_LdjAtiD6aBjuIUwPuzmztlfoNOCbsIBvPSyjadpMD8X-XXCDGGdCH8OiTxjUnaLYoRKoag_-5NpsDdTRSVm1ysDlF36ixQaWUaEkRLGWHU5uk/s400/hair2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490911471285892306" /></a><br /><center><i>WOW!</center></i><br /><br />Hair braiding and weaving was a fine art, originally confined to the professionals. You cut your hair and sent it off and the professionals would create whatever you wanted from it. <br /><br />But hair jewelry became so sought-after that many women learned how to create it themselves. Godey's Ladies Book and other magazines of the time even provided instructions for making hair art and jewelry. Here's some designs Godey's provided in their December 1860 issue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC96IonL_W_m0g-1rp9YKGjuvWdE74CWcDtv1R6P8-DERCoOIJyHcDMACYN-MMct_w3FnWP4yVCyY9W5GO8Cats-x0PAeHitQIbXRgCjmEH5uTmRghwEwgZiFH6d5Dgmz6C43LSt0tCX0/s1600/Godeys+-+Dec+1860.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC96IonL_W_m0g-1rp9YKGjuvWdE74CWcDtv1R6P8-DERCoOIJyHcDMACYN-MMct_w3FnWP4yVCyY9W5GO8Cats-x0PAeHitQIbXRgCjmEH5uTmRghwEwgZiFH6d5Dgmz6C43LSt0tCX0/s400/Godeys+-+Dec+1860.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491340819712042290" /></a><br /><br />Of course, in order to make these creations, the hair had to be prepared properly. Godey's recommended boiling the hair in soda water and then carefully drying it "but not too near a fire." The hair was then sorted into strands of even length. Braiding the hair was complicated and often required a special braiding frame or table. Then the creation was boiled again and dried again before being ready to use.<br /><br />If you want to research the process in more depth, I thought <a href="http://www.victorianamagazine.com/jewelry/hairjewelry.htm">this</a> was a great article.<br /><br />A quick Google search for hair jewelry brings up some stunning samples, such as these below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjHh-8Cq2-iYuN-DLzs4u7YUY9PCc9lsmOuyRY7lMti0aYNZBr57ySppaQ0YKgltfPHrtTMiIjDgaJo3V_OfBkguua7NfqJ2ai_PZ5k0iVWGMiO6IPYS6UgylYWkpiqDwcNcisKRbKA0/s1600/ve00031a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjHh-8Cq2-iYuN-DLzs4u7YUY9PCc9lsmOuyRY7lMti0aYNZBr57ySppaQ0YKgltfPHrtTMiIjDgaJo3V_OfBkguua7NfqJ2ai_PZ5k0iVWGMiO6IPYS6UgylYWkpiqDwcNcisKRbKA0/s400/ve00031a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915633717023554" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJcvHyntgo64CFb0g1ErHqBlGOhMfyO0Mg2H9QsxBym8fWCJvK_jtnaEJm2st1RrwoxV_zNReiqpWx5pPYAnGQLHTkMXAoqs9hP6wi6yD5uoPNdTK5AS3kxkYkYHOyGL44PC-VYf25sU/s1600/c274.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJcvHyntgo64CFb0g1ErHqBlGOhMfyO0Mg2H9QsxBym8fWCJvK_jtnaEJm2st1RrwoxV_zNReiqpWx5pPYAnGQLHTkMXAoqs9hP6wi6yD5uoPNdTK5AS3kxkYkYHOyGL44PC-VYf25sU/s400/c274.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490916849812614546" /></a><br /><br />And lastly, just for fun, here is a vintage piece of hair jewelry that my mom found on Ebay. There are two hair colors in this pin - I wonder if an 1860s mother wore it because it contained her children's hair?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFttd5_hyphenhyphenpYHUihLBVlpGutz-2FUnMVzwaStx6GQ_38md6ABrq6UcvWgwA-ztCIH7nOmZ0Hw9SnZrYSuMADFZwsHTW0Osvayb-Um3Za7SzZ3v5seBls1Wu9Qc0sT13xC1ffwO9j8C_XE/s1600/IMG_5542.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFttd5_hyphenhyphenpYHUihLBVlpGutz-2FUnMVzwaStx6GQ_38md6ABrq6UcvWgwA-ztCIH7nOmZ0Hw9SnZrYSuMADFZwsHTW0Osvayb-Um3Za7SzZ3v5seBls1Wu9Qc0sT13xC1ffwO9j8C_XE/s400/IMG_5542.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490910527068342082" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifgj0oXXTG_bvkBWPNev7QKbYx1Kv8EOoVzDjUu99JMkZRE25fNyj3VV5Cqcq-GD6FGFgOtBP3Q0rB7HDUAtJkWjROlcFWfIBNwwaO1-eyLrNemGvTFMyzkHDE4ngNb6IzEVmCy2FVs0/s1600/moms+pin+closeup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifgj0oXXTG_bvkBWPNev7QKbYx1Kv8EOoVzDjUu99JMkZRE25fNyj3VV5Cqcq-GD6FGFgOtBP3Q0rB7HDUAtJkWjROlcFWfIBNwwaO1-eyLrNemGvTFMyzkHDE4ngNb6IzEVmCy2FVs0/s400/moms+pin+closeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491344561335506306" /></a><br /><br />So ... ever feel like tearing out your hair? Don't let a hairy situation get the best of you - save your hair and make some art with it!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739171343418527301noreply@blogger.com11