Civil War Dress

Yesterday's Threads

Civil War Dress

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The Making of a Civil War Dress

I have always been fascinated with the Civil War time period and the clothing that the women wore. This year, I had a friend ask me if I would consider wearing a dress to a reenactment if she would make it. Would I!!!

This was a wonderfully fun experience for me and I can not thank my friend, Mrs. Ingrid Davidson enough for making this beautiful dress.

It was interesting to learn how they dressed in so many layers, and to see Ingrid reproduce each piece with such detail. The fabrics and laces, some old, some new, all placed just so made this dress simply beautiful.

Brainless Beauty models my beautiful dress

Chemise and Pantaloons/Drawers

Corset over chemise and drawers

Chemisette or corset cover

dress with belt

Sleeve in detail

Complete with shawl, hat and drawstring bag

I always pictured Gone with the Wind: pretty hairstyles, Scarlett fliriting and lots of cleavage. After looking at pictures of real women from that time frame, I saw a different view. And after wearing the whole outfit, I got a small glimpse of their life. When Ingrid took these photos, she kept saying, "smile". I don't know if it was the corset, the heat or the hairstyle...but it was hard to keep a smile!

Petticoat

Dress with apron

Apron pocket in detail