Where to begin...

[1stMaine]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It appears as though, beginning next year, if I am to attend most events, I will need to be accompanied by my youngest daughter. I don't mind it at all. She seems excited as to the prospect for adventure, and I welcome the company.

I have plenty of stuff for us, but I'll be deviled if I can fathom the various complexities of female attire, let alone begin to know where to attain them.

Let me state here, unequivically, and in as plain and candid a fashion as is possible, that I DO NOT SEW. One can always identify the garments I have attempted to repair by the fantastic style of stitches, blended with blood stains here and there. Oh, I can redo a button hole, and add a hook & eye without too much difficulty, but beyond that the matter is pretty well hopeless.

Thus, I am in need of some helpul and patient guidance as to what and where to acquire clothing and personal items for my daughter. At the moment, I am simply squirreling away funds, since she won't be accompanying me until next year. I do not wish to invest heavily at the moment when it is expected that she will increase in size and proportions between the present and the coming season.

At the moment, for discussion's sake, she is 9 years old (going on 22) and about a size 12, as her older sister tells me. The tags on her clothing go from 10-12, but those sorts of things befuddle me to no end, and besides, they being modern clothes, probably have little relation to period fashions and sizes, etc.

So, dear friends, I must humbly beg your indulgemce and assistance in this matter.

Please allow me to thank you in advance for whatever help you may be able to offer me in this matter. Truly, for one as ignorant as I in these things, anything is truly a bounty.

Respects,

[KathyBradford]

Re: Where to begin...

Tim,

Congratulations on sharing your interest with your daughter. You'll have some wonderful times and memories together.

Although it's been great for years, I rediscovered Elizabeth Stewart Clark's website last night. It's better than ever, and some very generous experts share outstanding information there. http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/main.htm

Liz has written several articles about getting started, basic wardrobe information, safety, pattern reviews, and much more. She offers free patterns for underpinnings that are better than any other pattern I've used. She has free patterns for pinafores, and she has tested and proven patterns for children. Her book, Practical Prinkery is intended for dressing teens, but it has some great information for you and your daughter, too. She offers sensible advice in all kinds of areas, and she also has an outstanding forum for questions. Experts including Liz, Carolann Schmitt, and Jim Ruley share their vast wealth of information and techniques. Her website has something for everyone.

I hope you have a great time together,
Kathy Bradford

[1stMaine]

Re: Where to begin...

Ms. Bradford,


Thank you for your wonderful advice. As usual, it is always a pleasure to talk with you.

Respects,

[Trish Hasenmueller]

Re: Where to begin...

To gain some insight into what children were exposed to, expected to do and read about, I suggest perusing this website with many sources of children's literature:

http://www.merrycoz.org/MAGS2.HTM

Elizabeth Stewart Clark's web page will steer you in the right direction for clothing a child whether you sew or not...read the Academy at Home for many details as well as Liz's Stumps under Aunty Maude's Compendium. When you find a seamstress, ESC's patterns are first rate.

Trish Hasenmueller

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Where to begin...

If you are willing to learn a basic straight stitch by machine, and a running stitch by hand, you will be able to provide for all her underthings and pinafores and such at home, which will be a huge savings over paying a professional. And, the undies never are seen, so if they're not perfect, it's not a big deal. :) You may sew with "malice aforethought" now, but my 8yo son is able to handle the same stitches, so I have every confidence in a fellow as clever as you, Mr Kindred!

Doing at least the under bits at home means money is set aside for the outer bits that you might want more professional help with: two dresses, an outer wrap, and some headwear (sunbonnet for summer, warm hood for cold weather).

A few resources for ready-made children's clothing that will meet very high quality standards:

Jenny D'Onofrio at http://www.mason-dixonsewing.com has extremely reasonable prices, for very, very good quality.

Marta Vincent sells her things through Kay Gnagey's site: http://www.originals-by-kay.com

Most competent mid-century dressmakers can do a good job on children's clothing--patterns like those mentioned above *can* be legally used by professionals when the family brings the pattern in, and it's reserved for that family's private use.

For a girl her age, think in terms of sets: she'll need one set of clean undies (chemise and drawers and stockings) for each day out (these roll very small in a satchel); she'll need one set of skirt supports (starched petticoats, 2-3, or a small cage with 2 petticoats), and those will be worn multiple days; she'll need at least one dress, but with sets of pinafores to cover that dress, one dress will do for days at a time. (Pinafores are cheap and simple to make, too.)

She'll want something small to amuse herself with in quiet moments; a book, or some drawing things, or a small historic doll. She might take up knitting, and make stockings or caps for "the war effort." (Children were historically taught to knit very young, and I know my own kids learn around age five.)

Some additional random thoughts: let her be the "little woman" if she wishes--doing little householding things like preparing your coffee, mending, etc. Girls like to be useful at that age, and she'll feel very grownup if she's "taking care of Pappa."

Colors and styles of dress are wide open for her--look at original images as often as possible now through January to get an idea of how many, many styles are out there. Keep in mind your normal event season and climates, and ask for help in narrowing down a few fabric choices to let her choose one. Fashion autonomy is usually important to girls this age. (I've my own just-11yo, and it's a charming time!)

As she gets a bit older, and starts to "blossom", she'll likely move into lightly corded stays--precursor of an actual corset--and you'll probably want to look at arranging some female companionship at various events, to deal with the inevitable "womanhood whilst camping" issues... though you may find she's perfectly fine discussing such things with you (mine, absurdly, is.)

I think you'll set out on a grand adventure... what had potential to be a sour note can be a wonderful time for father and daughter, at an age where that relationship is key. Beautiful!!

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Where to begin...

Brain like a seive--forgot to mention growth!

Mid-century children's dresses and undies are built to be remade. If you're sewing at home, or hiring a professional, they can use the same techniques. These include:

Growth tucks to "hide" extra length in dress skirts, petticoats, and drawers legs
Full-cut bodices that can be unbound, let out, and reset onto new waists and necklines
Extra bodice length hidden inside a faced waistband (back dress closes with hooks and eyes)

Plan similar features in at the beginning, and one dress can be remade and resized for at least three years of growth. It takes time each year to let out and remake the dress, but it's far less time than the 8-12 hours of sewing needed for a whole new dress.

[1stMaine]

Re: Where to begin...

Ladies,

Thank you all so very much for your assistance. There is a lot for me to chew upon and learn in these coming months. I knew, however, that if I were to enquire here, that certain and substantive answers might be forthcoming. I don't mind doing a little work, some researching here and there, et al, but I do need a place to start, and now I have several :)

I'll be back as soon as I can figure out what I should be asking next.

Respects,

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Where to begin...

Mr. Kindred,

Might I suggest a more realistic concept for you and your young daughter?

Civil War hospitals could really get grotesque and certainly an inappropriate scene for any young lady of mid-century.

While by no means is the calendar formed for the authentic civilian side of things for 2008, and I do not mean to damper your own desires to portray a surgeon/doctor, you may be in a more accurate situation at a civilian only or heavily civilian leaning event.

Keep your eye to the forum here for pending events where you and your daughter may really have been in a situation like the event's historic basis.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Where to begin...

Though the thread has been edited to better focus on the citizen aspects of the board, may I add an encouragement to all fathers who may be in a similar situation with their children?

The vast majority of military men in the CW were first citizens, with citizen lives. Post-war, the vast majority returned to citizen life. Undertaking a citizen role does *not* mean boredom, nor does it mean discarding all the research and preparation one has already done for military roles. While the history-heavy side of citizen reenacting continues to grow, there are ample opportunities for men to have "prior military service" experience in a citizen role, and these deeper impressions can lend a LOT to the culture of citizen events.

History-heavy events are perhaps the most family-friendly--as they provide accurate roles for the whole family, not just the Dad. :)

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Where to begin...

Quite admin note: though this particular thread has closed, parents who need additional help finding workable roles for themselves and their children at history-heavy events are very welcome to open up additional discussion topics. Who knows what exciting and worthwhile scenarios might be developed at citizen-focus and citizen/military interactive events?