Here is the finished bearskin compared to a 1778 drawing of a grenadier by Philip James de Loutherbourg. The height difference is apparent, as is the grenadier’s badge at center back. The cord pattern on the 7th Foot cap is completely conjectural, but is similar to surviving examples. Insanely talented Alexa embroidered the Regiment’s badge […]
Read more "The Royal Fusiliers in Canada, 1774"Mrs. Delaplace (her name is lost to history) is worried. Strange people appear from the woods and ask pointed questions about the fort. Ticonderoga was more “composed of decayed wood and earth” than a fortification in 1775. Fortunately, the stone barracks are serviceable. Captain Delaplace worked his 23-man guard hard. He acquired livestock, and made […]
Read more "A Perfect Day"So THIS happened. Miss Kitty talked me into it. Honestly, I don’t feel like I have much to say, but together we could be helpful. We’re both obsessed with excruciating little details that most folks ignore. Speaking of which, thanks to Kitty and Alexa for lending their special brand of insanity to the bearskin project. The cord machine was […]
Read more "Bag It"Last post of the year. Hoping for more next year. Slightly taller than the originals, the boots now need stretching and finishing. These things are crying out for some pantaloons or stretch pants. Very happy with the finished product. Somehow there are now twice as many Federal Era shoes as 18th century. Where the boots […]
Read more "Give ‘Em Enough Rope"With the boot toe up, pressed flat on the floor, here is the cardboard template for the front. The pin marks the center, and the scratch awl is used to trace the new edge. A cut down Teflon cutting board inserted into the boot makes this job easier. Nearly two inches need to come off […]
Read more "Hides"Well that didn’t go well. Making two coats at once was a huge mistake. Too many distractions. The regimental coat looks good, but doesn’t fit worth a damn. Snug WITH constraint. Perhaps Kitty can make it into a riding habit. The lesson here is patterns need to be revisited and fitting patterns made for everything. Don’t rush. […]
Read more "Boots and Bearskins"Helyar’s Company of the 7th Regiment of Foot waits. Smoke and shouts drift up the hill towards them. The crash of hundreds of muskets and a ball buzzing off a tree make them forget momentarily how hungry they are. If only the liquor had not run out. General Cornwallis is concerned, desertions are up, and […]
Read more "Drunk"Linings are a great way to check fit one last time. Breeches should be tight. Make sure that the crouch seam is snug against the nether regions. Whip or tack the linings with big (one inch) stitches. If everything looks good, transfer any changes to the body and cut the lining back open. Turn the […]
Read more "Legs And Linen"Since these breeches do not have fall extensions, turning the edges of the cuts is not an option. Make sure the fall cuts are parallel to the center front seam and slightly shorter than the height of the bearer. The fall is around eight and a half inches wide. The cut should overlap the bearer […]
Read more "Fall and Bearers"Pity the poor Fusilier, the Carolina sun finally came out and dried him after days of being soaked. Promoted corporal (largely through attrition) he somehow avoided capture at the Cowpens, saw his tent burned, waded through chest-deep rivers, and cleaned the mud from his uniform in a horse trough. He survived the slaughter at Guilford, […]
Read more "After Guilford"