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.








  






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12 comments:

  1. Time Traveling in CostumeApril 19, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    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

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  2. SamanthaApril 19, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    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.

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  3. Time Traveling in CostumeApril 19, 2011 at 9:23 PM

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

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  4. MegApril 21, 2011 at 8:23 PM

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

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  5. SamanthaApril 21, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    It is 100% worsted tropical (lightweight) wool.

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  6. MegApril 22, 2011 at 1:32 AM

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

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  7. SamanthaApril 24, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    yes it is!

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  8. Scott B. LeschApril 27, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    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

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  9. Sewings and Goings; Love of Historic and Vintage FashionMay 16, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    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

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  10. SamanthaMay 17, 2011 at 4:17 PM

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

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  11. Anna TMarch 4, 2012 at 8:31 PM

    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?

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  12. Linnea JanelleDecember 5, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    What material of fabric did you use? Thanks.

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