Monday, April 18, 2011

The Daughter of the Regiment

Last weekend was a BLAST! I had so much fun as a vivandiere! It was awesome being out on the field with the soldiers, tending to their wounds, and informing them that I am too young to legally be carrying brandy in my cask. I was quite happy to talk to people about vivandieres and explain my role to the public. Any impression that gives me a purpose at reenactments is a fun one, and makes events all the more enjoyable. Sitting pretty is fine and all, but doing something--actually interpreting, educating the public-- that's the whole point, right?


I'm very pleased with how the outfit looked with the kepi, haversack, and keg. I felt very "complete"! I actually had enough fabric to make my own trousers (with piecing) and I'm glad I went the extra mile to have matching trousers, as opposed to borrowing male trousers like I'd planned.








  






12 comments:

Time Traveling in Costume said...

It looks great! This is for my information since I'm not familiar with the vivendieres, but would your hair be hanging down like that? Its not criticism, I just don't know.
Val

Samantha said...

thanks! i have three images of vivandieres with their hair down, which i included in my first post about the project. i've been told that this was so they wouldn't be mistaken for male soldiers during a battle, but i haven't found any literature to confirm this theory.

Time Traveling in Costume said...

Thank you, that's good to know. I'll go read your earlier posts.

Meg said...

I was wondering what type of cloth you used. Is it a wool blend or cotton?

Samantha said...

It is 100% worsted tropical (lightweight) wool.

Meg said...

Thanks. Is that Costa Mesa, by the way? I was there with the Penn 71st last weekend. It looks really familiar.

Samantha said...

yes it is!

Scott B. Lesch said...

What an elegant outfit! I have seen a number of photos of Kady Brownell with her hair down but they were studio photos. The series of her in the kepi were from the 1870s when she preformed at a GAR show in Connecticut, so it might not be correct for outside on campaign to wear your hair down. It is good to see the vivandiere impression as a feminine outfit and not a tom boy impression. Great looking canteen as well.

Very respectfully,

Scott

Sewings and Goings; Love of Historic and Vintage Fashion said...

Samantha,
I just want to tell you- I LOVEEE your impression! The vivandiere uniform is beyond sweet! Very nice job on the uniform!!!!! Also- I must ask you, what unit and company were you portraying under, now? I know and have read on plenty of women's accounts of wearing the uniform( vivandiere included), but I've not come across a Confederate viv. , but I do believe they're out there- or you wouldn't of portrayed it! But again, You did a FANTASTIC job!!
- Samantha Jane

Samantha said...

thank you! there is a list of known confederate vivandieres in the first post i did about the project :)

Anna T said...

Super awesome, well done! I'm sewing my own viv skirt, and I wasn't sure about making the top, but yours is very well made(inspired me). Did you have a pattern for the top part of the dress?

Linnea Janelle said...

What material of fabric did you use? Thanks.