"Sewing for Dummies" Workshop for Military Reenactors?

[Elaine Kessinger]

I'll do even better..I've been trying to figure out how to offer a workshop in "basic sewing skills for the soldier set" for awhile... I'm talking the "very basics" here..hems, buttons, insignia, mending... maybe a pouch or housewife as a project to test the skills if time allows. ...So, soldiers, what would you like/need from such a workshop? is there a need? an interest? a format you think has worked well for other types of workshops? I'm in the Mid-Atlantic area, is there other persons skilled in sewing who would offer workshops to the other areas of the country?

[Spinster]

:mrgreen: I've done both shirt and drawers workshops over the years, and its always entertaining.

I usually start with "This is a needle. This is the end you poke the thread through."

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I'll do even better..I've been trying to figure out how to offer a workshop in "basic sewing skills for the soldier set" for awhile... I'm talking the "very basics" here..hems, buttons, insignia, mending... maybe a pouch or housewife as a project to test the skills if time allows. ...So, soldiers, what would you like/need from such a workshop? is there a need? an interest? a format you think has worked well for other types of workshops? I'm in the Mid-Atlantic area, is there other persons skilled in sewing who would offer workshops to the other areas of the country?
I've done a few of those and they are appreciated by the soldiers. It started with me sitting around in camp mending everyone else's clothes, and I thought to myself, "wait a minute, why am I doing this when they should be". Its basically an offshoot of "teach a man to fish", and like Mrs. Lawson, I was basically starting out with "this is a needle and this is thread" and going from there. For a few guys, we never got past mending a tear in a shirt or jacket, and thats fine, because most soldiers didn't sew - but don't overlook those who did. There are several examples of soldier made clothing (a good article from the first year of "Civil War Historian" focused on a really wild soldier made shirt, but I digress. A good basic class for soldiers on sewing buttons, mending items, etc is a good idea for either side, anywhere. They can be quite informal in camp, or outside of events at someones house or a meeting place, or you can go really formal and run a frock coat boot camp like Chris Daley and really watch the needles fly!

[Elaine Kessinger]

The "this is your friend Mr.Needle..." workshop was exactly what I was wanting to see if there is an interest in. The soldiers (not all of them are men, just like all needleworkers are not women) can easily find workshops and instruction sheets on more advanced work, but many need the basics (or feel like they need more basics) before attempting such an endeavor. And many feel shy about, or are afraid of offending by asking, the folks who do sewing for their unit to teach them. ..and most soldiers are oblivious to the oppertunities available at the several Civilian Conferences, (really a pity!) and are not aware of how the knowlege gained at such a conferance transfers over to their military personna.
So, perhaps I should ask a moderator to move this to a new thread, so we can stop hijacking this one.:)

[Poor Private]

There probably are a bunch of us Mr. Thumbs who would attend such a "school" myself included . But there is a stepping stone you have to get past first. Having someone like Ross teaching his buddies in camp during downtime is one thing. Getting the officers to let his troops go to one one is another. Usually there is such a hectic schedule of military tasks to perform that finding time is tuff. Unless it is part of each units schedule. Such as Between the times of 1pm-and 2pm the 69th Homeguard will attend(making it manditory). Otherwise you will be getting those who let us say have lots more downtime time, such as those doing, living histories, or demonstrations who have proscribed times set for thier programs. Or even the shall we say civilians who come just to participate and watch.

[wilber6150]

Heres a thought....You could always produce a video on the sewing basics and sell it on this or other boards.. Sometimes its easier to sit down and be able to hit pause while you get a band aid to stop the blood after pricking your finger...:) I and I'm sure others would be interested in a entry level video that teaches the basics...

[bizzilizzit]

I usually start with "This is a needle. This is the end you poke the thread through."

Do I need to drill a hole in the needle first or will the thread create it's own hole?
From your Severely Sewing Challenged Friend.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Heres a thought....You could always produce a video on the sewing basics and sell it on this or other boards.. Sometimes its easier to sit down and be able to hit pause while you get a band aid to stop the blood after pricking your finger...:) I and I'm sure others would be interested in a entry level video that teaches the basics...
Thats an interesting idea, but so much of sewing is hands-on, one on one attention that you have to see first hand. It might actually work for the most basic of things, but there are a few necessary functions that do not translate well to audio/visual. I like how you're thinking though! As for when to schedule such an endeavor during the weekend with most battalions having so many functions to do, my former battalion routinely scheduled specific training like NCO or officer classes, and other specialized training classes like guardmount, etc., so finding a half hour time slot was a little easier to find that time for us. Other battalions and organizations will of course vary, but if you have an understanding commander that could be shown that even a basic sewing class can only help the individuals of the command and perhaps down the road improve the authenticity (if that matters for that particular command), then it might sell.

[MD_Independent26]

Gentlemen, I believe she is referring to a workshop not necessarily to be held at an event. Working within the confines of an existing event would limit what could be done. An independent 'event' would be the way to go.

I personally would be interested if time allows. It's unfortunate that every time one of these sewing workshops pops up, my work schedule or budget interrupts my ability to attend.

Bill Birney

[Spinster]

Do I need to drill a hole in the needle first or will the thread create it's own hole?
From your Severely Sewing Challenged Friend.


:mrgreen: Depends on the time period and the type of sewing.

Yes, in some cases we really have made our own needles. Thankfully, by 1860 the common material culture is such that we don't need to.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Keep the suggestions coming, everyone's imput helps to make the whole better.
I was thinking of a workshop that is not at an event, but at a scheduled "other" time. Like a Sat. Afternoon in Feb-March while folks are looking at their wardrobes in prep for the season, but before the season is going full swing. (again, I live in the Mid-Atlantic, seasons in other parts of the country are different somewhat in timing). Trying to plan a session at an event has many challenges, y'all have named a few, others include..I'm a girlie-kinda gal and really have no place in a military camp from an historical standpoint..so I don't want to break that "historic magic moment" for my fellow re-enactors by being where I don't belong (Mr. Lamoreaux has it easier for the "round the campfire" aproach that way). Also, the disruption of learning by passer-by and 'tators would be great at an event. The possibility of "class size" becoming too large for the individual attention needed to learn effectively is great as well.

[Pvt_Idaho]

Dear Miss Kessinger,

How about a "you-can-mend-it and we'll-show-you-how" type workshop run in winter? Attendees can bring in their wardrobe problems. It can teach how to patch tears, sew on buttons, hand stitch button holes, mend a split seam, fix trowser hems, all the stuff that seems to fall apart in the field. I suppose making useful things like handkerchiefs or poke sacks or housewives using basic stitches such as the running stitch, back stitch and whip stitch would help at least give the attendee the knowledge he can use to repair and even make his own reenacting clothing from a pattern or kit.

Great idea -- if you need help, I'd lend a hand.

[Poor Private]

How about this... There is another thread running about the school of the soldier.
Our unit does spring drill as if it was an event Friday night through Sunday afternoon. Others may vary.
This might be one way for it. There is down time at a 3 day spring drill. If you contact units in your area, it might be possible to show up at thier drill. That way you would have most of the unit at one time. No distractions from spectators, other units, sutleryville, Come in do your teaching and go back home.

[flattop32355]

A possible compromise time at an event would be on Friday evening, when nothing is happening except people showing up. Those who wish to attend such a seminar can arrange to get there earlier, while there's still enough hours of light left to allow for both setting up and attending said seminar.

That makes it possible for those who are not close enough for a stand alone session to save drive time/money.

Most mainstream events also tend to have a fair amount of down time on Saturday afternoon and evening, where all there is to do after the battle is over and the spectators leave is cook dinner and wait for the ball to start.

[Elaine Kessinger]

For those who have expressed intrest, I can offer possible dates of 21 or 22 March or 4 or 5 April to offer a sewing basics class, I am thinking in the Frederick, MD region. Please PM me or e-mail me (elainekessinger@yahoo.com) to vote on a preference and confirm your interest. We will be covering basic sewing stitches needed to do simple mending, hems, attach buttons and insignia, and hand-done buttonholes. Cost of the workshop will cover a housewife filled to get you started and an osnaberg/canvas haversack kit for your first project.

[Elaine Kessinger]

and a bump...

[Pvt_Idaho]

Some dates are on the table for you soldiers who want to do learn to do some hand sewing. The instructor is wondering where everybody on this thread went and would like to know if there is interest.

Thank you,