The more I learn about regimentals, the more impressed I am about the functionality of the coat.
This time the new details to add to my repertoire are the working reveres, actual pleated tails, and a hook in front.
Such a little thing, that hook, but my son has been after me for years to put one on, because the actor has one.
My son found a photo and sent it to me.
So, this coat finally has a hook!
When I am sewing these coats, my son is my shadow, following every move, to make sure I get everything as accurate as possible.
FABRIC
When the director of the Costume Design Center heard of coat #2, she handed me proper wool samples, encouraging me to get broadcloth wool for the next one.
The closest blue I found is a navy blue reproduction which was used for regimentals in the War of 1812.
Unfortunately, this navy blue reads black in the evening.
It’s a bit thicker than the CW sample I had, so it was a bit difficult to hand sew.
My hand hurts!
When I stick my hand in front of him and say, massage and he gets to work with a grin. =)
Buff was especially difficult to locate.
One of the suppliers from whom I requested a buff sample sent me what she said could be a viable alternative for a Lafayette coat buff facing…a muddy greenish brown.
Ugh. The sample was awful!
Finally, I found buff, but it was expensive.
Thankfully I only needed a little bit.
Financing this came through my son’s birthday budget.
Since his birthday he’s lived on anticipation fumes!
PATTERN
Last October at the Costume Design Center Open House, one of the fitters put my son into a muslin to fit him for the Lafayette regimental.
Showing me where to make alterations, she jotted down all the measurements on a diagram.
From there, I ordered their 75th anniversary coat pattern, based on one in the collection from the 1770s.
The fitter adapted measurements for their 75th anniversary coat pattern that I purchased, and that was printed specially for us then shipped to our house.
MUSLIN PROCESS
From that I made a muslin of my own…and ruined it. (sigh)
When I could not figure out the fitting measurements I was given for the sleeves, I ended up with too large a sleeve opening for the sleeve.
Running out of time to start the coat, I gave up.
I decided to make the coat as is, since my son is still growing by leaps and bounds.
We discussed that as a backup plan at the Costume Design Center.
After cutting a new muslin of the pattern, I fitted it to my son the best I could.
HANDSEWN
Although the pattern was written with directions for the sewing machine, I hand sewed everything, which meant changing up lots of steps.
I sewed this coat in 4 days.
After I handstitched twenty-two buttonholes, I securely sewed thirty-two buttons onto the coat.
The epaulettes were simply transferred from coat #2.
Now what? The CDC tailor was suggesting that I make wool waistcoat and breeches for my son for him to stay warm.
DEBUT GRAND ILLUMINATION
Completed the night before we left to Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination, I was glad to have conquered that so my son could wear it for the Christmastide festivities in the cold night air for all the outdoor events among the cressets, lit to keep us warm.
At one of the events, we visited Lafayette at the Tucker House, with whom my son posed for a few pictures.
NEW WOOL CLOAK
Completing his winter attire, is the black wool cloak I sewed for him a week before Thanksgiving.
My son loved every moment wearing his new Lafayette coat and wool cloak, looking quite officially part of the Continental Army.
Mission accomplished!
