The Start of my Adventures

I have been interested in Civil War Reenacting for sometime now.When I was little I always wanted to dress up in big dresses and go out and about. Then in high school I met a friend who was in a Civil War Reenacting group. I never knew such things existed until this day. I was so over whelmed with joy that I just wanted her to teach me all that she knows. Now it is a few years down the line. I'm not in a group yet, but i'm working my way there. Now that I am an adult it is much easier to do things on my own.
I started off my reenacting garb with a skirt and top that I bought off of my friend. Soon after I got it I went to work making some underpinnings from a pattern that I had bought. Now that I have learned some more about the more "correct" way of how things are worn I will be redoing my underpinnings. They have served me well the past couple of years the times that I have worn them. I made a white muslin chemise and drawers, then I made two petticoats, one long and one shorter that were made from an old floral pattern bed sheet. Both the petticoats and drawers have a drawstring waist.
Soon after that my dad and step mom went to an auction where an older style wedding dress with hoop skirt was being sold. The hoop skirt has 4 hoops I believe so it is quiet large. They gave me both in hopes that I could use the wedding dress for fabric later. Nothing has come of the dress as of yet but the hoop has been wonderful to me. All I had to do was clean it up a bit and make a drawstring waist. It is made out of metal hoops and some sorta nylon material. So that will have to be re-done also. But I am wondering if I should do a hoop or get a kit to make myself a cage. But that won't come for a little bit here.

Everyone calls this my "school teacher" look

The skirt I bought from my friend is a black and white plaid with a drawstring waist. It is lovely, long and full. The top that came with it was white that accidentally got dyed pink in the wash. I replaced it by going to a thrift store and just buying a nice looking button up shirt. Also it came with a black sash.
Now we have my most recent purchase, bought from the same friend as my other outfit, which was a green and cream like stripe dress that has a sort of pagoda sleeves and red lining in the bodice.Also there is red trim along the bottom of the skirt. It also came a separate short sleeved bodice. The dress is just beautiful. I had to add my own buttons to it and I will more than likely have to take it in once I buy/make my corset. The long sleeved top is attached to the skirt and I am hoping one day I will be able to make them to separate pieces so that I can change out the bodices for the spring and fall months.

I'm not the best with pictures

Then I have a few shawls, shoes, men's clothing for my boyfriend (next post) pots, pans, bowls, and a tea pot. So I guess i'm off to an okay start with things.