Sewing Reenactor Clothing

[Louise Gwiazdowski]

Hello, I am interested in sewing Revolutionary War Reenactor Clothing. Can anyone share sources for patterns, fabrics and notions? Also, any sewing hints would be greatly appreciated.

[D]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Some of the Sutlers in the Sutler list carry notions, patterns, fabrics, etc. : http://revwartalk.com/Research-Library/sutler-list.html

Hopefully some other folks will come along and be able to share some of their insights/experiences. Have you done historical sewing before or are just getting into it?

[Louise Gwiazdowski]

Hello, Thank you for directing me to the Sutler List. There’s quite a lot of information for me, and I’ll be visiting the Sutler Websites.

I have sewn reproduction Civil War clothing, using a treadle sewing machine and hand sewing methods, for the reenactors in our family. Sewing Revolutionary War clothing will be new to me, and I need to learn about the pattern styles, the fabrics, buttons, trims, etc. needed to create a reproduction uniform.

I’m hoping other sewers can share their experiences sewing Revolutionary War uniforms, and other men’s and women’s clothing from this period.

[D]

That sounds interesting not only making historical garments, but also using the older treadle machine. Was it easy to learn how to use the treadle? Did you run into any challenges using the older methods?

I can barely sew a button on, what you have done seems impressive!

[Louise Gwiazdowski]

I have enjoyed making Civil War Clothing, and I am looking forward to making Revolutionary War Clothing. My main challenge using the older methods of sewing, was that I needed to learn and practice some new hand sewing stitches.

In my opinion, once you have learned the basics of how to use a sewing machine, using a treadle sewing machine is not difficult. Most of the treadle sewing machines only sew a straight stitch, they aren’t difficult to thread, and it takes a little practice to get the rhythm of treadling.

Does anyone have any experience using a treadle to sew Rev War costumes or other clothing? Do you have a favorite brand of sewing machine, and would you know of any sewing machine attachments that could be helpful?

Thank you for any sewing hints or ideas you may share with us.

[D]

That sounds very interesting! And you must be very creative to be able to make those different types of clothing. I have seen photos of the older treadle machines and always wondered what it might be like to use one, having to constantly be moving the treadle while also focusing on working with the material being sewn.

Hopefully someone with experience in the area will be along and be able to share some great insight

[Author]

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