F&I Goodness

Here's an impression that I've been trying to complete for a while now. I had grand plans to get this done back in April, but finally finished the kit in August. +2 points for at least getting it done in an A-month right? Behold, my 1750s Frederick County Maryland militiaman impression.

First and foremost, my goal for this impression was to make it visually as obnoxious as possible, and I think I did a pretty decent job with the clashing patterns, crazy colors, styles etc. Everything in this kit, is based on first person garments that are described in runway ads from the Maryland Gazette during the 1750s.

Numerous references are made to "check cotton trousers" or "check linen trowzers" being worn by landsmen and indentured farms that I simply had to make a pair. Not only do they look awesome  but they are hella comfortable in the summer.

The coat is taken from an exact runaway ad that describes a man wearing a "blue double breasted coat with large white metal buttons." I repurposed wool from an unfinished project that had already been cut to make the coat, which resulted in some fun piecing. Since most people associate double-breasted 18th century coats with military, I tried to remove as much military connotations from the coat when drafting the pattern. I used simple scalloped pieces for pocket flaps and cuffs to give it a fairly non-military look.

The waistcoat is the only thing not specifically taken from the Maryland Gazette. It's made in a Kersey that's described a Goose Turd color, which is just the obnoxious color that I was going for when completing this ensemble. I love it so much.

I debuted the whole thing at Fort Frederick's French and Indian War muster, from which these pictures are taken. In the picture of us with the wagon, in which myself,  Jacob (black coat and breeches), and Josh (tall guy in the blue breeches hauling the cart) we have some mad swagger going on as we head off to the engagement for the day.

That picture gives me a particular sense of pride as my work and tutelage is fully on display. First, I made all my own clothes (obviously), but I also made Jacob and Josh's breeches. More rewarding though, I taught Jacob the process of hat making, which allowed him to make the hat that he is wearing.

Most rewarding though, I drafted the pattern for Jacob's coat, gave him instructions on how to cut and assemble it, and then left him to his own devices. In a little over a month, he had the functional and well constructed coat that he's wearing. It's much better than my first article of clothing that I constructed not only in fit but also construction. He did an amazing job. The real pride and reward is teaching someone else this trade and watching them succeed.

One final note on the F&I Muster. People always think that re-enactor food must be terrible and consist only of stews and other single pot meals. Not true. To prove that point false I provide our dinner. A standing rib roast that we cooked on a tin reflector oven with a side of collard greens. Yes, that's right, we ate prime rib for dinner at a reenactment. You can't have swagger like us and expect to eat watery stew. It's just not gonna happen.