How to Make Civil War Uniforms
Each year in the south there are Civil War reenactments at every historical fort in the region. If you are participating in such a reenactment or opt to dress as a historical figure during the Civil War for Halloween consider making your own uniform.
Supplies:
- Civil War uniform pattern
- Fabric
- Pins
- Shears
- Sewing machine
- Buttons and fixtures for uniform
- Purchase and/or download a pattern for a Civil War uniform. You could locate these uniform patterns at any fabric store or from an online vendor in download form. These patterns are reasonably inexpensive and not difficult to follow. You should however ensure that you purchase the correct size based on clothing sizes.
- Purchase your material using the yardage listed on your Civil War uniform pattern. Make your color selection based on whether this uniform should follow the Union or Confederate style. The Union soldiers wore mostly navy blue uniforms similar in color to current military dress blues. Confederate soldiers wore grey uniforms.
- Cut out your pattern using the shears. Follow the dotted lines as you cut the pattern and place the sections in an organized pile.
- Pin the pattern sections to the fabric and begin cutting the fabric along the edges of the pattern sections.
- Begin attaching the sections together following your Civil War uniform pattern using your sewing machine.
- Sew on buttons and other fixtures according to the specific Civil War uniform you are making. These fixtures could include costume style ribbons and medals to make the uniform seem more authentic.