Ugh! The Puritan Stereotype is Not Sexy!
Last modified on 2009-09-12 22:13:39 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The good news is that you don’t have to wear those horribly unattractive black and white Puritan clothes for Thanksgiving anymore (hurray!). The black-and-white stereotype actually got its start back in the early 1800’s when the lost manuscript, Of Plimoth Plantation resurfaced in England (it was lost to the British during the American Revolution).
When Americans got the manuscript back, it naturally led to heightened curiosity about the 1621 fall feast, and about Puritans. Unfortunately, the earliest portraits of American Puritans were those from the late 1600’s, or the time of the Salem Witch Trials, when black-and-white attire was fashionable for Sunday wear.
Up until that approximate time period black fabric had only been affordable to the upper classes, and portraitures had not been a survival priority. But by the late 1600’s the middle classes were able to afford making their “Sunday Best” clothes out of black fabric, and to have their portraits done. And of course they always wore their Sunday Best for their portraits.
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Period Authentic VS Class Authentic
Last modified on 2009-11-04 01:21:49 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
 See It Here! $7.99 |
If you’re going to go to the expense of costuming for Thanksgiving, you may as well have maximum fun with it and make what you prefer. I know the historical costuming inaccuracies I present when I wear my costume, but I like the lower class garments better… AND, just like in times past, lower class garments are less expensive to make than middle class garments.
Whatever you decide, English class clothing differences, as well as the basics of period Sumptuary Laws, fabric choices, shoe styles and head coverings are all covered in The American Patriot’s Treasury of Historical Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, Second Edition.
Additionally there is a full section on Wampanoag attire and accessories, plus a section on pirate attire and accessories.
Budget Stretcher: Make kids costumes (or any costumes) do double duty for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Tags: make kids costume, indian costume how to, indian costume how, how to pirate costume, indian and pilgrim costumes, make pilgrim costume
1621 Period authentic, but not class authentic English attire. We chose these costumes for their lower price tags, and for personal taste.
1621 Plausibly authentic style, but not 100% material authentic Wampanoag attire. See another interpretation at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDfD4D8VtY&feature=related
Pirates of 1621: Algerian Corsair (L), and French Privateer (R). See Fun Facts for pirate connection to Thanksgiving.
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The Honor of Donning Native Attire
Last modified on 2009-09-12 23:36:12 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
The Reality Thanksgiving Revolution at IdeasThanksgiving.com is all about cultural awareness. For this reason it is important to convey the sentiments of American Indians concerning the use of their cultural attire as “play costumes.”
Euro-centric Americans are asked to understand the need for respect and cross-cultural diplomacy when wearing American Indian costumes, especially in public. As a rule, Native Peoples are offended by the careless donning of their cultural attire.
More specifically, for some Native persons still today it is an insult to trivialize tribal differences, to overlook the animals that may have been killed in order to provide the costume components, and worst of all, to publicly engage in old Indian stereotypes (“savages,” or “less civilized”) while wearing Native attire.
In a show of good will, please take these things to heart when you don the stunning attire of the Wampanoag Indians, or any other tribe in public. Of course we urge you to practice the same respect at home.
It all boils down to enjoying the exchange more deeply by having a heart of respect for others, especially if and when you might not agree with them.
Tags: make kids costume, indian costume how, indian costume how to, the wampanoag tribe, indian impersonation, native stereotypes, native americans stereotypes
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New to Sewing and Historical Costuming?
Last modified on 2009-09-13 14:48:20 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
 See It Here! $6.99 |
The sewing section of the guide walks you through mini lessons covering all the sewing techniques you’ll need for modern machine sewing, plus the basic hand stitches you’ll need if you decide to go all out and make your garment truly authentic.
The historical costuming section of the guide covers all kinds of historical information on fabrics, notions, techniques, including basic hand leather sewing. For historical costuming challenges, like how to make armor, additional resource information is provided.
Please note this is a beginners resource only. It is not extensive, but what it lacks in depth it makes up for in resource suggestions and ease of use. A perfect stepping stone into home sewing and historical costuming. Illustrated, 58 pages. Requires your owner’s manual for machine threading instructions.
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Tags: make kids costume, indian costume how to, indian costume how, how to pirate costume, indian and pilgrim costumes, make pilgrim costume, family thanksgiving ideas, family for fun, fun for whole family, history for thanksgiving, ideas thanksgiving
Posted August 31, 2009 by Admin
