Young Lads - Clothes Count!

This past week we took at trip down to New Haven to view the Zoffany exhibit at the Yale Museum of British Art.  It closes on February 12th, so if you have a chance to make it down there, don't miss it!  And if you do miss it, consider buying the book.

While soaking in all the wonderful clothing details that Johan Zoffany so kindly shared with us, I noticed a few things about how young lads are portrayed.

Most of them are sporting the 18th century version of a mullet -- short bangs and long hair, as seen in the painting below.

Zoffany Lavie Children c 1770

And that little boys are given special dispensation in regards to fashion rules, while at play.

I also noticed that whenever people were standing in front of paintings of children they always looked at them and sighed. "awwwhh", often punctuated with "how cute".  We love our kids and we love pictures of kids.  Why do you think kids are such camera magnets at reenactments?  Which brings me to the point of today's post -- we need to put the same amount of effort into our kid's kits as we do in ours!  Don't misunderstand, that doesn't mean we have to spend the same amount of time or money, but we do need to do it right.

During the weekend of Feb 17/18, master tailor Henry Cooke will be conducting a workshop on "Constructing a Young Lad's Kit".  He'll be teaching how to make an accurate kit, that is relatively easy to construct and has room for growth.  Even if you don't have a young lad of your own, it's the perfect opportunity to create a few outfits to have on hand for your regiments stores. So don't miss this opportunity to make that photo op count, with really great kit for the younger set.  To find out more about this workshop visit www.thehiveonline.org

Sunday's Hive Schedule -- Changes!

This Sunday kicks off the 2012 Hive season!  Our home this year will be at the Major John Buttrick House, which is the yellow center entrance colonial on Liberty St in Concord, across from the North Bridge Visitor Center, where there is plenty of parking.


We are thrilled to be kicking off things with, count 'em, two guest scholars.  Becky Fifield, who will be sharing her exhaustive research on runaways and Carol Kocian, who is the "go-to" person for 18th century stockings. And because we'd like everyone to be able to hear both lectures, we've tweaked the schedule a bit, so here it is......  See you on Sunday.....

12-1pm - Coffee/Snacks at Major John Buttrick House

1pm-1:45 "Had on When She Ran Away"
Expanding the usefulness of garment data in runaway advertisements. Recently published in Textile History, the author will be sharing her research and the methodology used in collecting and analyzing runaway data, with a special focus on fabrics, their frequency and use in particular garments.

2pm-2:45 Stockings Close-up: Yours and Mine
We'll begin with a slide lecture on 18th century stockings. Style changes throughout the century will be shown, as well as details of the frame-knitting process. Afterwards will be a chance to take a look at the original stockings in Carol Kocian's collection. Bring your own stockings, your knitting, or knit fabric you are thinking of using for stockings, to compare and discuss

3pm-3:45 Encore -- Stockings Close-up - For those who want to attend one our our clinics at 2

****2pm-3pm CLINICS*****

Breeches Fitting Clinic
Period breeches fit snugly around the leg and feel just below the knee. Bring in your off-the-rack breeches and learn how to make them have a more period correct (and flattering) appearance. No sewing experience necessary.
 
Kit Tune-up/Getting Started
New to reenacting or does you kit need a tune-up? Join our team for an overview of Battle Road clothing standards. Separate clinics for men and women/children.

Making an Apron*
An easy beginner project and a great refresher for experienced sewers. An apron is an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe; let’s make a new one!

Making a Market Wallet*
Sewing 101 for men. Learn basic hand sewing stitches as you make a practical and useful item for your kit.

Using Props as Interpretive Tools for Living History
Sometimes when talking to the public it’s hard to know where to start. We’ll look at the things you know about, like your clothing, your musket, and other props as a way of breaking the ice and feeling confident in your interpreting.

* Indicates pre-registration necessary and materials fees.

January Workshops - Don't Miss!!!

There are still a few openings for some of the January Workshops -- Don't miss your chance to attend some great classes!

  

Making a Man's Shirt

Saturday January 14, 2012 9:30am–4pm & Saturday February 11, 2012 9:30am–4pm

A great beginner project in which to learn and practice your hand sewing but also a great way for more advanced sewers to create a thing of beauty! These two Saturday sessions will teach you the basics of constructing and sewing a man's shirt. The classroom time will focus on learning the trickier details while you work on the easier things at home between classes. The second session will help you with the finishing touches like cuffs and sleeve buttons.

Fee: $100 (fee does not include materials)
Instructors: Matthew & Vicky Brenckle
To register contact: v_rebal@yahoo.com

Waistcoat as a Foundation Garment

Saturday, January 14, 2012 9:30am–4pm & Saturday February 11, 2012 9:30am–4pm Ever notice how a well-fit waistcoat beautifully complements an 18th century suit? Often overlooked because a coat covers it, the waistcoat is actually a man's foundation garment. This two-day workshop will look at original waistcoats and explore the methods tailors used to create a good fit. By the end of day one, you will have drafted a pattern to create a superbly fit waistcoat, cut out your fabric and will leave with a homework assignment. The second session will be spent perfecting construction techniques and focusing on the finer elements.

Fee: $100 (materials not included)
Instructor: Henry Cooke
To register contact: hcooke4@verizon.net

So you want to knit your own stockings

Saturday January 14, 2011 9:30am–noon

This is not a session to teach knitting. If you want to knit stockings, plan to have someone to knit for you, or you are evaluating hand-knit stockings to purchase, you will be prepared after this session. Using detailed images from museum collections and originals from Carol's collection, we will discuss the elements of hand-knit 18th century stockings. Construction details, gauge, and density will be discussed, as well as the pitfalls of modern knitters assuming any hand knit is historically okay.

Fee: $15
Maximum Attendees: 15
Instructor: Carol Kocian
To register contact: carolkocian@yahoo.com

What time is it? Clocked stocking time!

Saturday, January 14, 2011 1pm-4pm

Most costume enthusiasts have heard of clocked stockings, but did you know the patterns and techniques changed through the decades? Using detailed images from museum collections and originals from Carol's collection, we'll look at clocking styles from early to late 18th century and a bit into the 19th. Besides learning about these styles of embellishment, methods of replicating a them or "faking it" will be discussed. We will make a sampler of a few of these techniques.

Fee: $20
Maximum Attendees: 12
Instructor: Carol Kocian
To register contact: carolkocian@yahoo.com

January Hive: New Saturday Workshops Added -- HOSIERY!

Happy New Year!
I know that many of you have made New Year's Resolutions to make improvements to your 18th century impressions.  Some will try hand sewing a complete garment for the first time, others will try their hand at making a new accessory, but whatever we choose, there is one area that we all need work in: HOSIERY!

Stockings? Really?  Yeah! For the men especially-- think about it -- one third of what you see is their hosiery!  And guess what -- we don't have accurate period stockings -- or even *really* good ones for that matter.  However, that doesn't stop us from learning about this orphan item in our wardrobe.

To the rescue -- Carol Kocian, independent scholar and stocking maven is traveling north to share with us her vast knowledge period hosiery!  She'll be joining us for our first Sunday Hive to give us a introduction to period stockings, but that's only going to scratch the surface of this neglected subject so she has kindly agreed to do two workshops on Saturday January 14th, for those of you who want to learn about stockings in greater depth and learn how to make stockings that create a better period appearance.

So you want to knit your own stockings

Saturday January 14, 2011 9:30am–noon

This is not a session to teach knitting. If you want to knit stockings, plan to have someone to knit for you, or you are evaluating hand-knit stockings to purchase, you will be prepared after this session. Using detailed images from museum collections and originals from Carol's collection, we will discuss the elements of hand-knit 18th century stockings. Construction details, gauge, and density will be discussed, as well as the pitfalls of modern knitters assuming any hand knit is historically okay.

Fee: $15

Maximum Attendees: 15

Instructor: Carol Kocian

To register contact: carolkocian@yahoo.com

What time is it? Clocked stocking time!

Saturday January 14, 2011 1pm–4pm

Most costume enthusiasts have heard of clocked stockings, but did you know the patterns and techniques changed through the decades? Using detailed images from museum collections and originals from Carol's collection, we'll look at clocking styles from early to late 18th century and a bit into the 19th. Besides learning about these styles of embellishment, methods of replicating a them or "faking it" will be discussed. We will make a sampler of a few of these techniques.

Fee: $20

Maximum Attendees: 12

Instructor: Carol Kocian

To register contact: carolkocian@yahoo.com

So ladies and gentlemen don't hesitate, sign up today and learn more about stockings from our guest scholar and start out 2012 by learning some new!