How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your own Civil War Uniform Impression is easy and economical. Follow these simple directions, and your Civil War uniform shirt will be exactly how you want it.

Take all of your girth measurements.

Using a tape measure, measure your chest, stomach and note the bigger of the two measurements. Write it all down in inches. Do not suck your stomach or chest in. Be sure you are in a comfortable position, so your shirt will fit properly.

Next, measure from top of shoulder to mid-thigh, so you can tell how long you want the shirt to be. Next, measure then from shoulder tip to wrist with arm bent at a 90 degree angle, so the sleeve will have enough room in it for you to move freely and comfortably.

Measure your bicep and wrist.

Measure your neck.

Start looking for material but don't buy anything until measurements are completed

Look at original photographs and decide which type of shirt you like and would be comfortable wearing on the march. Look at the collars and variations on how the neck is done. The collar is an easy part of the shirt to change also. A standard placard front with a slit for the head is desirable and very accurate.

Purchase a shirt pattern. Follow assembly procedures.

Now you are ready to choose your material. 100% cotton or Osnaburg is recommended. Muted colors are more of what was worn during the Civil War. If I were going to do a shirt just starting out, I would go with a red, white and/or blue homespun. I would stay away from real bright colors. Use muted-color fabrics. I think it looks much more accurate that way. The reason I said red, white, and blue is that both armies were patriotic and those color combinations were popular in the Civil War Era.

Hand topstitch around the pocket and neck. Your hand topstitching should be about 6 ? 8 stitches per inch. If you do this hand stitching, you have just doubled the value of your shirt and jacket.

You probably will not start the hobby out as much of a tailor. My first few handmade items were a joke, but eventually I got to where I can put together a good uniform. I would stay away from shirts that were real fancy. If you don't want to make your own shirt, purchase a shirt that is already made that has machine buttonholes in it and rework the buttonholes to make it look more authentic. Take a seam ripper and pick out the buttonholes and handwork them. I would pick out and redo by hand all exposed machine stitching. Someone can show you how to do that in about 15 minutes. You have just doubled the value of your shirt and made it more authentic.

For photographs of shirt designs, patriotic combinations, and topstitching, go to http://www.civilwaruniforms.net/shirts.htm

Next, get yourself some good buttons. Stay away from plastic and modern buttons. Go with glass, bone, shell, metal, porcelain, 2-hole cat's eye or Mother of Pearl. Metal buttons are authentic, but they have the potential to rust and stain your fabric. Some of the sutlers that sell fabric and sewing items have buttons.

Or I have a ton of buttons I might be talked into parting with. Buttons can also be found at flea markets, antique stores, in old button baskets, tins or jars. Frequently, you can buy a whole jar of buttons for $3 ? check out the buttons in it, and if you find a substantial antique buttons, it certainly is worth it. Sometimes the jar is as valuable as the buttons! I have found jars full of buttons with a hundred dollar button in it. Small items like buttons can make a huge difference and increase the value of your shirt, jacket, pants, etc.

To see some antique buttons, go to http://www.civilwaruniforms.net/civilwarshirtbuttons.htm

Try to get solid brass buttons. Waterbury is good. Original buttons are a bit pricey but not out of the question. If you are getting U.S. Eagle buttons, sutlers have them. Stay away from the ones that are plated. I personally just use coin buttons. If you are doing a state regiment, you want to go with state seal buttons. "I" buttons are a good generic impression. For late war buttons, go with the Tate Script "I" which were coming in later in the war. U.S. buttons can go U.S. or Confederate. It would not be unusual to see an Eagle button on a Confederate uniform.

Coach McCoach has been reenacting the Civil War for 27 years. Units he has reenacted with include 4th North Carolina, 2nd Virginia and 21st Virginia, Company B. In the movie GETTYSBURG, he is the soldier holding General Garnett's horse while is talking to General Armistead before Pickett's Charge. His Kepi was used for the little boy in the movie made for the visitors center at Manassas. He received the Stonewall Brigade 1994 Authenticity Award for his uniform.

2004 permission granted to reprint this article in print on your website so long as the paragraph above is included and the contact information is included to coach@civilwaruniforms.net

---

Decorative Metal Work Techniques From The Early 1900s

Today's Metal Craft workers should truly appreciate the artistic skills... Read More

Origami Instructions - Getting Started

The birthplace of origami is still a mystery. Paper was... Read More

Diecast Collectibles: The Collectors? Guide to Making a Profit

Millions of people have made a hobby of collecting items... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 1

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 1 - A Place... Read More

What Is An Un-circulated Coin?

You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated... Read More

Jewelry Insurance - Hints and Tips So You Dont Get Ripped Off

As crime and drug use increases, the risks involved in... Read More

Woodworking: Protection When Working With Wood - Ignoring Could Potentially Harm Your Health Or Kill

Woodworking: Basic Safety TipsWoodworking can be a dangerous undertaking if... Read More

Are You Making Money At Craft Shows?

If you are involved in the crafts business, and are... Read More

How To Make Your Own Gift Baskets

Haven't you always wanted to give someone a beautiful gift... Read More

Choose From A Wide Variety Of Off Road RC Trucks To Play In The Dirt

Are you tired of driving your cars only on the... Read More

Origami Secrets Revealed

Origami, or the art of paper folding, has been around... Read More

Genealogy in Switzerland - A Longenecker Family Search

I recently visited Langnau, Bern, Switzerland and spent two days... Read More

Create A Gift Basket For A Dog Lover!

The choice of what gift to give your family and... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 5

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 5 - Tools For... Read More

Money Making Hobbies - Which Ones?

Which ones can be money making hobbies? A friend made... Read More

Family Album In The Digital Age

Back then it was simple - you take the picture,... Read More

Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways

When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and... Read More

Idle Hands Beget The Devils Work

As a southern girl, sewing was a rite of passage.... Read More

Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking ? Keep Kids Busy with Crafts This Summer

They're out of school and back to torment the neighborhood... Read More

A Look at Cabinet Humidors

Cabinet humidors are specially designed for the serious cigar aficionado.... Read More

Faux Wax Seals, Tearing, and Fraying in Your Scrapbooks

Would you like to add more creative appeal to your... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your... Read More

Leather Work Tips

For leather work, consider the basics: an awl and spare... Read More

How to Make Sea Shell Candles

Collecting sea shells along the beach is a favorite kids... Read More

Be Your Own Way, but Still Use the Safe Tools

It is so often that people are not aware with... Read More

A Few Tips About Comic Book Backing Boards

Comic Book Backing Boards come in different thicknesses and acid-free... Read More

Making a Living Making Soap?Questions to Ask Before You Begin

Soap making can be a wonderful hobby but if you've... Read More

Gold Jewelry Hallmarking Secrets Revealed

We should be familiar with the BASIC hallmarks mentioned on... Read More

Genealogy / Family History

One huge advantage of knowing about family history is that... Read More

Why You Should Race RC Cars, and Not Just Bash

For those of you who have been racing your RC... Read More

Weaving Photographs and the Use of a Collage to Give Your Scrapbooks Artistic Flare

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two... Read More

Bartering: A Modern Day Phenomenon

Back in the early days of America, families didn't have... Read More

Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party

One of the most popular party favors is a framed... Read More