Cold Weather Gear?

[ladyirish]

Hello! My family and I are gearing up for an 1812 event in a couple weeks. It is bound to be at least chilly if not downright cold during the evenings. I'm stuck as to what would be correct for cold weather gear, such as hats, gloves, scarves, etc. I need info for my husband, myself, three boys (ages 4-10), and one girl (aged 12). Thank you in advance!

[dawnluckham]

Simple wool half-circle capes are the easy answer. There are lots of more elaborate options…

You can put hoods and/or collars on the capes if you like. Have a look at “Fitting and Proper” and “Costume Close-Up”. Good wool is waterproof and warm and does not need anything done to finish the edges.

Children can wear wrist length short capes or you can make them a bit longer to survive a few years growth. Red wool was fashionable and fairly common.

If you’d rather you can make the boys wool “round-about” jackets and you can make the little girl a spencer to wear with her cape or alone.

Edit to add: You could also make a short-gown - high underbust waist - for your daughter. Striped wool would be cute.

- Personally, I'd go with the "cardinal cape" with a hood for her.
The hood can be separate or attached to the cape: Something like this:

www.manchestergalleries.org/the-collections/search-the-collection/display.php?EMUSESSID=a794adf79fcf66f1bfb60b6f022f6862&irn=16259

[dawnluckham]

one more thing : There is a nice pattern for a cloak in Costume Close-Up

[amandamoose]

I"m going to the Regency retreat in December and I bought some super soft flannel for pantalettes..I'll let you know how they turn out

[amandamoose]

I still need to sew on the ribbon waist ties, the fabric is so soft and I'm thinking I might put some cording in the ankles. I'll try to post pictures as soon as I get them done But they went together really easily and really quick