October 1st Costume - Revolutionary War Dress

I recently completed this dress - I've been working on it for 3 months or so. It is for my step mother who is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She will be wearing it in a parade and to veteran's events in November. She lives in California, so I only had one opportunity to try a partially made bodice on her in June. Fortunately she and I are of a similar height and size. 

I bought the main fabric for $6, the hat trim fabric for $3 and the petticoat fabric for $4 at the Goodwill. The hat was $1, but I uncoiled it and re did it into a flat crown. The corset is made from leftover upholstery fabric from a job I did and the panniers and pantaloons are from free sheets I got at a rummage sale. I know everything is not totally historically accurate - but it's tons better than a ready made costume bought off the net. It is a mix of old and new sewing patterns. The panniers are from Norah Waugh's  Corsets and Crinolines, although much smaller.

I really must thank American Duchess for all the inspiration for this costume. I endlessly poured over the details of her dresses and hats. Especially the idea for the covered buttons up the front, this solved a huge headache for me!

 My step mum is not a costume person, so I took a series of photos of the proper order to get dressed.

Vintage Stockings Collection

Per request, here is part of my stocking collection. This is half of one tub of seamless stockings. I'm still slogging through the others!

  

 

Outfit Post - WW2 Soldier

 I finally finished my M-1941 jacket! It went easier than first two I made for sure. I still have to make a sample welt pocket every time a pattern calls for one! I had the fabric lying around for ever, it was almost right, so I dyed with Dylon. The lining is cut from a sheet, and all the notions I bought at Dressew in Vancouver. I think it conceals my girliness, or at least I hope it does! I have to take the carbine back to my dad on Saturday :( Flying with a firearm is no fun, they make you feel like you're committing a crime. My exact helmet is selling on Ebay right now for $410, I paid $40 at the surplus store in Fresno! Please ignore my peeling deck - I sanded and painted it last summer, and already it's awful! 

Max helped me dye the fabric!

DDay Ohio!

I just got back from my trip to Conneaut Ohio. Words cannot describe the fun & food I had there. For a history lover like myself, living entirely in the 1940's for 3 days was heaven. Also, being around people whose dedication and attention to detail rivals my own was amazing. Some highlights: riding in a motorcycle side car, getting hit on by a Nazi (although that was more of a nightmare), eating in a mess tent, meeting wonderful people, toting around my M1 carbine out in the open, swing dancing with a 87 year old WW2 vet & seeing a great lake for the first time. It was strange/scary seeing people dressed as Nazis, but you get used to it when you talk to them. Without them, there could be no battle. The men of the 29th division, 115th regiment, C company were the absolute best, though. Next year I'll be dressed as a boy and storm the beaches with them!

Looking over the battle site.

Reading in my tent.

Visiting the Canadians.

Eli & I in camp.

 The French Resistance! They were so nice!

 A German general. I was scared to talk to him, but he was super sweet.

 Ready for grim business before the battle.

 A German guard, he would not let me go!

 In front of the Allied Headquarters.

 A German and I with stick grenades.

 Dancing at the USO. It was like 90 degrees and 100% humidity there.

Various weapons.

Revolutionary war soldier's graves. A first for me.