What to do with orange kersey?

[Michael McComas]

Hello good citizens,

I have a 3-yard piece of kersey which--through a failed experiment in dyeing--ended up a quite striking burnt orange color. I know that purple was all the rage in the Victorian era, especially in combination with blue, but what about orange?

I could probably overdye this fabric with walnuts or even coffee and end up with a rich brown color, but it's so nice it seems a waste. Any thoughts for a project? The only thing that sprang to my mind was to make it into an overshirt and trim it with red or buff tape. I'm hoping that better imaginations than mine can come up with an appropriate project.

Thank you kindly for your assistance.

YOS,

Michael McComas
Great Pumpkin Mess

[1stMaine]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Comrade,

Hmmmmmm....... Perhaps you might make it up into a sack coat, trousers, and forage cap, and use it during hunting season? Especially interesting idea if your state has a black powder or muzzle-loading season:)
Imagine the retinal burns of the deer when they see you with an orange uniform and black accouterments?

respects,

[10TnVI]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Perhaps Sell it to a reenactor from East Tennessee/KNoxville. Saw a young lady in a period dress of about that color at the last reenactment I was at.:-)

[Cracker Line]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Or you can use it for some of the colonial stuff you do Mike. I have some ideas, but not for this forum considering they aren't CW.

Cheers,
Adam Cripps

[Wild Rover]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Tim,
that is hilarious....what about a Type II out of Predator Camo for bowhunting...

PS- I am sure Dirty Billy would make a blaze orange "Longstreet"

LOL

[Drygoods]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

I once saw a small ladies paletote which was orange wool and trimmed with a navy/white gingham plaid silk ribbon. It was very attractive and the color patterns were perfect for that era of working not with the color wheel, but across it. If I find the pictures, I will forward them to you.

Judith Peebles

[Straggler3]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Perhaps a nice civilian vest. That would fit well with "The Pumpkin Mess." Maybe you'll have enough to do several.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Recent sale on eBay had an original boy's dress, in orange wool with white braiding at the hem, on the waistband, neckband, and sleeves.

[Michael McComas]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Thank you all for the suggestions. Others I received included a coat for reenacting the Battle of the Boyne (sorry, wrong side).

The idea of working across the color wheel is interesting, and blue trim may be just the thing. This could very well become a vest with blue trim.

As fascinating as the hunting suggestion was, Tim, it's not *quite* blaze orange. :)

Cheers,

Michael

[Canton Zouave]

Re: What to do with orange kersey?

Mike,

I have some pictures that I posted at one time on this site....that shows some lovely orange wool with printed sqaures (green I think) that were used as swatches inside a housewife. 3 yards would make alot of housewife's.

The housewife is at Gettysburg, in the collection. I will look and see if I can find the photos and send them to you.