Roseanne

"Soldiers' Packages"

  We have received raves about the handkerchiefs that were sent to the A. P. Hill march. These were simply made from 45" fabric in a period print, usually dark for men, that was split down the middle making a 22" square hanky with 1/4 rolled edges. These are large enough that the men can tie them over their faces to help cut the dust and comfortably tie them around their necks for warmth or sweat.

  For those of us who keep an ever multiplying assortment of fabrics, a sleeping cap is quite simple to make. Simply cut out 2 of the following pattern,

adjusting the band area for the right size, and sew the two pieces together. You can even roll the edges up on the outside creating a cuff around the head. Add a jaunty little tassel at the top, and viola! What more could a soldier ask for?

By Sherry Key

This CDV of a lovely lady in profile is a very interesting study. There are many things going on. See how many things you notice and then check page 4 for our thoughts.

A Review of the Genteel Arts

Workshop in Spartanburg

June 7 - June 8

by Angela Metts

While on a business trip to Boston, I had some free time on my hands, so I thought, "What better way to spend it than at the Boston Public Library". It was amazing! The library had 5 floors chocked full of tasty tid bits of information. I wandered around for a bit, and then headed for the non-fiction sections. I managed to find the section on clothing and pulled books on nineteenth century clothing, one on earrings, and another on hairstyles, fans, stocking and shoes. I settled down and began with "A Visual History of Costume ‘The Nineteenth Century’" by Vanda Foster. The book was filled with wonderful period photos and drawings. It also contained detailed description of both men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and hairstyles.

I took detailed notes and even did a few sketches. Here’s some of the info I got from the book:

1837 – Elastic sided boots were patented

1840 – Fringe trim on dresses, accessories and even umbrellas was very popular

1850 – "Mrs. Bloomer, an American reformer, demanded that women be allowed to wear trousers instead of burdensome long skirts and layers of heavy petticoats. She promoted a ‘Bloomer’ costume consisting of a wide-brimmed hat, loose, knee length tunic and ankle length baggy trousers, not unlike children’s outfits of the period. Although worn by a number of Americans, it was too advanced for the British."

1857 – The usual daytime hairstyle was the hair was parted in the middle and pulled into a chignon that was low and wide on the back of the neck. Caps, like bonnets, were worn far back on the head.

1860 – Skirts of their day dress were often tucked up into the waistband, revealing petticoats probably of stripped flannel and stiff enough to suggest horsehair or the presence of the new cage crinoline beneath. A more formal method of hitching up walking skirts was developed in 1860. This method had a serious of internal cords passing from the waist to the hem which when manipulated at the waist, gathered up the skirt well clear of the mud, revealing brightly colored petticoats and stockings.

Submitted by Angela Metts

Tell me, ye zephyrs, warm and bland,

That o'er me wave or gently stoop,

Is there, in all this sunny laud,

A fashion lovelier than the hoop?

Or if we stand, or walk, or sit,

Or smiling bow, or pensive droop,

No fashion seems to us more fit

Than is the graceful-circling hoop.

Behold those ladies, young and gay,

A modest and a happy group,

And mark the agile forms that sway

The airy movements of each hoop.

Then say, If efforts e'er were made

Utility and grace to loop,

That yet have triumphed o'er brocade,

Like the invention of the hoop?

Yet village boors and city fops,

Though each to folly's shrine a dupe,

Are heard to lisp, through hairy chops,

Their envious railings at the hoop!

And sallow smoke-jacks puff their spleen,

And sneer, and vulgar laugh and whoop;

But what know they of fashion's queen,

The bright, elastic, airy hoop!

In vain such rhymesters try their art

In dells and caves our forms to coop,

That to their friends they may impart

"There's nary place there" for the hoop.

For where such places do exist,

And ladies there should form a troop,

No parodist shall e'er resist

The introduction of the hoop.

CDV Study: Notice her hair, it is dressed and has a somewhat heavier hair net but it is not drooping down her neck. Then, the dangling pierced earrings. She has an interesting stand up collar that indicates this may be a little later, perhaps 1865. Lastly, there is some sort of net thing going on…perhaps some sort of trim or part of a sash or pelerine (though it does not appear to be on the other shoulder). Photographer was Rockwood & Co., New York. What are your thoughts?

The same morning that Mrs. Bullfrog and I came together as a unit, we took two seats in the stage-coach and began our journey towards my place of business. There being no other passengers, we were as much alone and as free to give vent to our raptures as if I had hired a hack for the matrimonial jaunt. My bride looked charmingly in a green silk calash and riding habit of pelisse cloth; and whenever her red lips parted with a smile, each tooth
appeared like an inestimable pearl. Such was my passionate warmth that--we had rattled out of the village, gentle reader, and were lonely as Adam and Eve in paradise--I plead guilty to no less freedom than a kiss. The gentle eye of Mrs. Bullfrog scarcely rebuked me for the profanation. Emboldened by her indulgence, I threw back the calash from her polished brow, and suffered my fingers, white and delicate as her own, to stray among those dark and glossy curls which realized my daydreams of rich hair.

"My love," said Mrs. Bullfrog tenderly, "you will disarrange my curls."

"Oh, no, my sweet Laura!" replied I, still playing with the glossy ringlet. "Even your fair hand could not manage a curl more delicately than mine. I propose myself the pleasure of doing up your hair in papers every evening at the same time with my own."

"Mr. Bullfrog," repeated she, "you must not disarrange my curls."

This was spoken in a more decided tone than I had happened to hear, until then, from my gentlest of all gentle brides. At the same time she put up her hand and took mine prisoner; but merely drew it away from the forbidden ringlet, and then immediately released it. Now, I am a fidgety little man, and always love to have something in my fingers; so that, being debarred from my wife's curls, I looked about me for any other plaything. On the front seat of the coach there was one of those small baskets in which travelling ladies who are too delicate to appear at a public table generally carry a supply of gingerbread, biscuits and cheese, cold ham, and other light refreshments, merely to sustain nature to the journey's end. Such airy diet will sometimes keep them in pretty good flesh for a week together. Laying hold of this same little basket, I thrust my hand under the newspaper with which it was carefully covered.

"What's this, my dear?" cried I; for the black neck of a bottle had popped out of the basket.

"A bottle of Kalydor, Mr. Bullfrog," said my wife, coolly taking the basket from my hands and replacing it on the front seat.

There was no possibility of doubting my wife's word; but I never knew genuine Kalydor, such as I use for my own complexion, to smell so much like cherry brandy. I was about to express my fears that the lotion would injure her skin, when an accident occurred which threatened more than a skin-deep injury. Our Jehu had carelessly driven over a heap of gravel and fairly capsized the coach, with the wheels in the air and our heels where our heads
should have been. What became of my wits I cannot imagine; they have always had a perverse trick of deserting me just when they were most needed; but so it chanced, that in the confusion of our overthrow I quite forgot that there was a Mrs. Bullfrog in the world. Like many men's wives, the good lady served her husband as a steppingstone. I had scrambled out of the coach and was instinctively settling my cravat, when somebody brushed roughly by me, and I heard a smart thwack upon the coachman's ear.

"Take that, you villain!" cried a strange, hoarse voice. "You have ruined me, you blackguard! I shall never be the woman I have been!"

And then came a second thwack, aimed at the driver's other ear; but which missed it, and hit him on the nose, causing a terrible effusion of blood. Now, who or what fearful apparition was inflicting this punishment on the poor fellow remained an impenetrable mystery to me. The blows were given by a person of grisly aspect, with a head almost bald, and sunken cheeks, apparently of the feminine gender, though hardly to be classed in the gentler sex. There being no teeth to modulate the voice, it had a mumbled fierceness, not passionate, but stern, which absolutely made me quiver like calf's-foot jelly. Who could the phantom be? The most awful circumstance of the affair is yet to be told: for this ogre, or whatever it was, had a riding habit like Mrs. Bullfrog's, and also a green silk calash dangling down
her back by the strings. In my terror and turmoil of mind I could imagine nothing less than that the Old Nick, at the moment of our overturn, had annihilated my wife and jumped into her petticoats. This idea seemed the most probable, since I could nowhere perceive Mrs. Bullfrog alive, nor, though I looked very sharply about the coach, could I detect any traces of that beloved woman's dead body. There would have been a comfort in giving her Christian burial.

"Come, sir, bestir yourself! Help this rascal to set up the coach," said the hobgoblin to me; then, with a terrific screech at three countrymen at a distance, "Here, you fellows, ain't you ashamed to stand off when a poor woman is in distress?"

The countrymen, instead of fleeing for their lives, came running at full speed, and laid hold of the topsy-turvy coach. I, also, though a small-sized man, went to work like a son of Anak. The coachman, too, with the blood still streaming from his nose, tugged and toiled most manfully, dreading, doubtless, that the next blow might break his head. And yet, bemauled as the poor fellow had been, he seemed to glance at me with an eye of pity, as if my case were more deplorable than his. But I cherished a hope that all would turn out a dream, and seized the opportunity, as we raised the coach, to jam two of my fingers under the wheel, trusting that the pain would awaken me.

"Why, here we are, all to rights again!" exclaimed a sweet voice behind. "Thank you for your assistance, gentlemen. My dear Mr. Bullfrog, how you perspire! Do let me wipe your face. Don't take this little accident too much to heart, good driver. We ought to be thankful that none of our necks are broken."

"We might have spared one neck out of the three," muttered the driver, rubbing his ear and pulling his nose, to ascertain whether he had been cuffed or not. "Why, the woman's a witch!

If you are going to dabble into the wonderful world of color from nature, you have to understand mordants. The term mordant comes from the Latin word meaning "to fix" or "to bite". Mordants are metallic salts that change the molecular composition of the fiber and allows the dye to bond with it. Mordants can help enhance or even change the color of your dye depending on how you use them. There are times when a mordant is not needed such as for certain barks where the mordant is built in or if you prefer a softer color.

Here’s short list of some of the mordants and their uses:

Alum- This is a must have for the natural dyer. Not only is it the safest, but also helps to deepen the color. This is not the same alum that you buy in the spice isle at the grocery. Make note, too much alum can make your wool sticky.

Tannic Acid- This mordant is naturally occurring in a lot of barks such as black walnut hulls. Tannic acid helps to enhance the browns and tans. This is a good mordant for your cellulose fibers such as cotton or linen.

Iron also known as Copperas- This mordant saddens colors and is often used towards the end of the dyeing to help enhance the greens. Too much can harden the wool.

Tin- Highly toxic, but it helps bring out the reds in cochineal and brighten certain colors. If you use too much on wool however it will make it brittle.

Blue Vitrol- It saddens and brings out the greens, it can also help enhance the blue in the color, but it is very poisonous.

Chrome- This is extremely TOXIC! Do Not use under any circumstances. Also, this mordant was not used prior to the 1900’s, so it’s not even period appropriate.

All of these mordants are available online and the best source I have found is the Earthguild. You can also make your own by making a solution of ½ white vinegar and ½ water and adding copper pipe or rusty nails (iron) and let it sit until the water changes color. There are also other items such as glauber’s salts, washing soda and cream of tartar that are used in the dye baths, but these are not mordant but simple enhancers that don’t affect the color.

Mordants can be used before, during or after the dyeing to enhance the color depending on your preference. We’ll explore the process and how to set up your dye bath in the next issue.

Lady of the Year Nomination Form

I, ___________________ hereby nominate ____________________.

She has attended the following events:

As well as this/these seminar/conference/workshop:

And she has volunteered in the following:

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

She has supported the PSRS by doing the following:

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Roseanne Christie

In the issue before last, we talked about the wonderful colors that come from nature. This issue, we’re going to discuss what you need to get set up. First item you need is a sense of adventure. Remember, we are dealing with nature so your results may be unpredicted, unexpected but definitely unboring. Think of it all as a crazy experiment and you get to be the mad scientist. Your results can be affected by a huge amount of things from your fiber to your water, so relax, have fun and expect the unexpected.

First let’s talk safety. Whatever equipment you use, make sure you mark it and don’t ever use it for food preparation. Second, you need gloves and in some cases respirators. There are some chemicals involved with natural dyeing called mordants and some can be rather toxic. Keep children and pets away.

Second, choose your fiber well. If you are going to do natural dyeing, then choose natural fibers. Natural fibers are made of cellulose or protein that allow the natural dyes to bond with the fibers, particularly the protein fibers like wool and silk. If you try to dye your Acrylic yarn you will just be wasting your time and effort. You’re better off sticking to the Fiber Four. (A great source for ready to dye wool is Knit Picks) (see last issue for Fiber Four)

Third, you need your plant material. The more you have, the stronger your dye bath will be. You can use almost any natural material like flowers, bark, leaves, moss or roots. You can gather it yourself or purchase it on-line (I get my supplies from the Earthguild). Just remember some plants can be toxic such as azaleas, blood root and the white berries on mistletoe, so use caution. The easiest color to obtain from nature is yellow and the most difficult is red and blue. There are several book and resources that can tell you what colors you can get from your natural material, but remember results will vary depending on water, mordants, fiber, etc.

Fourth, to get the best results, you will need a mordant. A mordant is a metallic salt that changes the molecular composition of the fiber and allows the dye to bond better. Some natural dyes have the mordants built right in, such as black walnut hulls. There’s a lot of information about mordants, so I’ll save have to save that for next time.

It makes me melancholy to see how like fools some very sensible people act in the matter of choosing wives. They perplex their judgments by a most undue attention to little niceties of personal appearance, habits, disposition, and other trifles which concern nobody but the lady herself. An unhappy gentleman, resolving to wed nothing short of perfection, keeps his heart and
hand till both get so old and withered that no tolerable woman will accept them. Now this is the very height of absurdity. A kind Providence has so skilfully adapted sex to sex and the mass of individuals to each other, that, with certain obvious exceptions, any male and female may be moderately happy in the married state. The true rule is to ascertain that the match is fundamentally a good one, and then to take it for granted that all minor objections, should there be such, will vanish, if you let them alone. Only put yourself beyond hazard as to the real basis of matrimonial bliss, and it is scarcely to be imagined what miracles, in the way of recognizing smaller incongruities, connubial love will effect.

For my own part I freely confess that, in my bachelorship, I was precisely such an over-curious simpleton as I now advise the reader not to be. My early habits had gifted me with a feminine sensibility and too exquisite refinement. I was the accomplished graduate of a dry goods store, where, by dint of ministering to the whims of fine ladies, and suiting silken hose to delicate limbs, and handling satins, ribbons, chintzes calicoes, tapes, gauze, and cambric needles, I grew up a very ladylike sort of a gentleman. It is not assuming too much to affirm that the ladies themselves were hardly so ladylike as Thomas Bullfrog. So painfully acute was my sense of female imperfection, and such varied excellence did I require in the woman whom I could love, that there was an awful risk of my getting no wife at all, or of
being driven to perpetrate matrimony with my own image in the looking-glass. Besides the fundamental principle already hinted at, I demanded the fresh bloom of youth, pearly teeth, glossy ringlets, and the whole list of lovely items, with the utmost delicacy of habits and sentiments, a silken texture of mind, and, above all, a virgin heart. In a word, if a young angel just from paradise, yet dressed in earthly fashion, had come and offered me
her hand, it is by no means certain that I should have taken it. There was every chance of my becoming a most miserable old bachelor, when, by the best luck in the world, I made a journey into another state, and was smitten by, and smote again, and wooed, won, and married, the present Mrs. Bullfrog, all in the pace of a fortnight. Owing to these extempore measures, I not only gave my bride credit for certain perfections which have not
as yet come to light, but also overlooked a few trifling defects, which, however, glimmered on my perception long before the close of the honeymoon. Yet, as there was no mistake about the fundamental principle aforesaid, I soon learned, as will be seen, to estimate Mrs. Bullfrog's deficiencies and superfluities at exactly their proper value.

Submitted by Mrs. Sherry Key

I became aware of a children’s book Little Ferns for Fanny’s Little Friends, by the author of ‘Fern Leaves when it popped up in a related search on eBay and was fortunate enough to purchase it. These books contain various stories, drawings and poems related to children. The following is one article from an 1860 edition. I hope you enjoy it and I’ll be happy to bring my copy to an event if you would like to peruse it.

"Now, I suppose you think, because you never see me do anything but feed and sleep, that I have a very nice time of it. Let me tell you that you are mistaken, and that I am tormented half to death, although I never say anything about it. How should you like every morning to have your nose washed up, instead of down? How should you like to have a pin put through your dress into your skin, and have to bear it all day till your clothes were taken off at night? How should you like to be held so near the fire that your eyes were half scorched out of your head, while your nurse was reading a novel? How should you like to have a great fly light on your nose, and not know how to take aim at him, with your little, fat, useless fingers? How should you like to be left alone in the room to take a nap, and have a great pussy jump into your cradle, and sit staring at you with her great green eyes, till you were all of a tremble? How should you like to reach out your hand for the pretty bright candle, and find out that it was way across the room, instead of close by: How should you like to tire yourself out crawling way across the carpet, to pick up a pretty button or pin, and have it snatched away, as soon as you begin to enjoy it? I tell you it is enough to ruin any baby’s temper. How should you like to have your mamma stay at a party till you were as hungry as a little cub, and be left to the mercy of a nurse, who trotted you up and down till every bone in your body ached? How should you like, when your mamma dressed you up all pretty to take the nice, fresh air, to spend the afternoon with your nurse in some smoky kitchen, while she gossiped with one of her cronies? How should you like to submit to have your toes tickled by all the little children who insisted on "seeing the baby’s feet?" How should you like to have a dreadful pain under your apron, and have everybody call you "a little cross thing," when you couldn’t speak to tell what was the matter with you? How should you like to crawl to the top stair, (just to look about a little,) and pitch heels over head from the top to the bottom?

Who were the following?

(See page 6 for answers)

While persuing an on line forum recently, I happened across a few posts regarding Leap Year; and since this is a leap year thought it would appropriate to share. A friend I met at a conference several years ago started the discussion with this tantalizing tidbit:

"I found this paragraph about a ball and wondered if there were other things single ladies could do during a leap year. It is supposed to be a time when ladies are able to approach a gentleman of their choosing."

The Leap Year Party, By Mary E Clarke

Another friend, Mrs. Glenna Jo Christen, chimed in with the following confirming comment:

"I've come across similar accounts of Leap Year balls and less formal hops, etc. in the period. Rather like the Sadie Hawkins dances of my high school years. I grew up with a long held idea that "traditionally" (a slippery dating term if I ever heard one!) a lady could propose marriage to a gentleman on Leap Day itself with the gentleman almost honor bound to accept. If this "tradition" was around in the Civil War era, I rather doubt it was taken seriously. After all, what woman of the period would dare to propose, even if she were confident of a positive response?"

All this intrigued me as I too remember Sadie Hawkins dances but was not aware this was popular during our era. It opens up some interesting opportunities! Last but not least, Vicki Betts contributed several items from her wonderful newspaper research site that can be found at http://www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/ [If you haven’t checked it out, careful….it can be consuming!] Enjoy!

THE EASTERN CLARION [PAULDING, MS], April 25, 1860, p. 3, c. 4 (read it as a poem)

A Good Resolution.

Dear me, why don’t some handsome beau propose at one to web?

For this I've waited night and day thro' weary years long fled.

The crow's feet angle round my eyes, the hue fades from my cheek,

I'm leaving youth's enchanted bowers; why don't the young men speak?

There was a time when I could draw a gazing circle round,
when life was but a dream of love, and suitors did abound.

But, woe is me! that day is gone; I'll never see it more;

the die is cast, the jig is up--I am almost twenty-four.

In vain I spread my crinoline, to show my foot so neat,

that foot which once could draw the eyes of all who passed the street,

in vain I paint my pallid cheek, and wreathe my face in smiles;

it's all for naught, for well I see the youngsters know these wiles.

Youth! all thy beauty once I had, but that brief dream has fled;

on pleasure's wings I once careered, but they are long since shed.

I now must look at things that are; 'tis useless to ignore

That when my birthday comes around, 'twill number twenty-four.

When to my virtuous couch I hie, how lonesome do I rest!

My arms encircle naught but air, no naught my lips are fed!

Great Heavens! 'twill surely drive me mad--why don't the young men wed?

A lucky thought! for now I think that this is Leap Year sure;

I'll make the leap and take the chance; it can but kill or cure;

full long enough alone, unloved, life's weary vale I've sped;

'tis Leap Year now, I am resolved before it's out to wed.

[NEW ORLEANS] DAILY PICAYUNE, March 27, 1864, p. 7, c. 1 [Originally from Punch]

Leap Year, Eighteen Sixty-Four.

[LITTLE ROCK] WEEKLY ARKANSAS GAZETTE, November 3, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
Leap-Year Ball.--The gay season was ushered by a Leap-year Ball given by the young ladies at the Beebe house on Tuesday night. It is decidedly agreeable for a batchelor [sic] to receive, from a beautiful lady, a delicately penned note on perfumed paper, asking the pleasure of escorting him to the party, and stating that she will call punctually at the hour. Such things do not happen every year. Then to go so escorted--to have every want anticipated—to receive such attentions as can be ministered only by a lady--is enough to make one wish that every February had twenty-nine days, and that all years were leap-years. The effect of this demonstration has been to make us still stronger in our feeling for, and advocacy of the Union. As is the case where the genius of woman presides, every thing went off admirably. The house was thronged with fair ladies and brave men; and to see beauty floating through the dance gracefully as a swan on the bosom of a silvery lake, or whirling, like a fairy, with steps so light that her home seemed to be in the air, it was difficult to realize that one was not on enchanted ground, until one of the fair spirits took his arm, conducted him to the table, and, with him, eat turkey, oysters, salad, and such edibles, like a hungry mortal. We hope the success of the ladies in this entertainment may encourage them to make a custom of their experiment. It is needless, at this day, to urge the importance of associating the rougher with the softer sex. It refines, improves, and elevates man, morally, and intellectually. And even in her foibles and follies there is still a charm in the society of woman "which seek the world o'er is ne'er met with elsewhere." Raptur'd he quits each dozing sage, Oh woman! for thy lovelier page! Sweet book! Unlike the books of art, whose errors are thy fairest part; in whom the dear errata column is the best page in all the volume!"

[DES ARC, ARK.] THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION, November 23, 1860, p. 3, c. 1

Leap-Year Party.--The young ladies of Des Arc, availing themselves of the peculiar privileges of their sex in Leap Year, surprised the rougher portion of our race with invitations to one of the most pleasant parties known in the history of this town, which came off at the residence of one of our well-known and most estimable citizens on Wednesday night.

The Fiber of Our Being

By: Suzanne Collins

This month I’m going to talk about one of the most important, but often overlooked aspects of a good 19^{th century impression. The very fiber of our being, you could say. To get your impression right, you need to stick to the basics and by basics I mean the "Fiber Four"; Cotton, Wool, Silk and Linen. Polly & Ester and the rest of her friends weren’t around in 1860. Synthetic fibers often look a little too perfect. That work dress that never wrinkles or the day dress that that has an incredible shine, shimmer and sparkle will only detract and distract. Granted we can’t always find or afford silk ribbons, but for certain things like a work dress, you’d be better off sticking to the Fiber Four.}

The first man-made fiber was Rayon and it wasn’t available until 1890. US production of this fiber began in 1910. Rayon was originally called ‘artificial silk’ and is made from wood pulp which is a cellulose based material similar to cotton and linen. After that came Acetate in 1924, which is also cellulose based. The first synthetic fiber that was completely produced from petrochemicals was Nylon in 1939. Their synthetic cousins Acrylic and Polyester soon followed in the 1950s.

Synthetic fibers may be carefree, but they also can be quite dangerous. If you study the burn rates for fibers, Cotton is listed higher than Polyester. If you however blend them into a fiber of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, they become even more dangerous with a longer burn rate that either fiber on it’s own. Synthetic fibers also have a distinct burn quality, they either burst into flame or they melt. Natural fibers on the other hand simply char and turn to ash. Heaven forbid if I happen to catch on fire I certainly would rather have my dress char than to burst into flame or melt and if you’re around a campfire that can be a real danger. Another great benefit of natural fibers is they have a very breathable quality that is difficult to find in synthetic fibers. Anyone who has endured a hot event can tell you there is nothing like cotton and linen to help keep you cool. That’s why they still continue to blend in natural fibers with synthetics. So as you begin to add to your wardrobe and fabric collection, check the label and keep to the Fiber Four, not only for a great impression, but also for your own safety.

In the coming months I’ll cover each of the Fiber Four, their history, how to care for them and the wonderful characteristics that make them unique.

June 6-8 2008 Lynn Cogdill will again be sponsoring a sewing workshop in Spartanburg, SC taught by Carolann Schmidt of The Genteel Arts Academy. Last year’s Sleeve Variations was very educational as well as fun to boot! The topic and details have not been set, nor the price, but last year it was $149.00 and worth every penny.

July 3-6, 2008:  The PNJW Clothing Collection will be at Kennesaw National Battlefield Park visitors center.  Great opportunity to view original clothing and other items up close and personal.  Photographs allowed.  Great collection of CDVs also.

August 2008 The annual PSRS workshop. Send your ideas to Jeannie Weil.

???? 2008 Kay Gnagy and Mackenzie Anderson Sholtz are considering a workshop, probably in Sumter, SC, sometime in 2008. May and July seem to be somewhat slower months so those may be likely candidates. No details yet

B = Battalion Event)

DTA =Date To Be Announced

Louise Murray

Approximately 22 members present plus several visitors per President’s count.

Miss Christie welcomed everyone to the meeting about 12:45 and updated us on member news: Miss Jean Hutchison’s father passed last year, Miss Brenda Kittrell’s, Mrs. Louise Northern’s and Mrs. Jackie Redmon’s mother passed away in the fall and Mrs. Sandy Sharp’s father passed earlier this month. Miss Brenda Kittrell will marry Mr. Jim Tindal at the Battle of Charleston this year and all are invited. The President then thanked several members for their help—Miss Rena Hefley for assistance in emailing notices, Mrs. Shanna Williams for the newsletter and Mrs. Jeannie Rucker for maintaining the web site. Mrs. Rucker has prepared new flyers and all were encouraged to take a few for recruiting purposes.

The minutes were published in the newsletter so the reading was dispensed with.

Mrs. Nita Keisler then gave a treasurer’s report. We have 60 paid members and the current balance (not counting any checks written today) is $3,830.44. She then discussed the need for our own tax ID number. After discussion it was agreed that she would apply for this.

Miss Christie has given out almost all of hers and Mrs. Key has roughly 15 left. We will need to reorder soon.

Miss Christie has some left and when they are gone, they will not be replaced.

Miss Hefley announced she will be working on a new chapter on cooking over an open fire. Mrs. Williams had several hard copies available for those that had not received one and Mrs. Key had one disk. A discussion was held regarding the Unit Representative’s job which includes making sure new members of her unit receive a copy either paper or disk, in a timely manner.

Mrs. Sharp displayed a hoop damaged by fire when she backed into a heater in her tent. It was strongly suggested that heaters be turned off when dressing.

The Columns at Florence will be the next care package event. Miss Metts announced that letters were particularly appreciated by the men and are easy and inexpensive to do.

Due to the rainy weather it was not held at Aiken. It will be open at the Battle of Columbia.

Mrs. Lynn Dukes suggested a ‘Flea Market/Swap Shop’ to be held at elections that would give everyone an opportunity to clean out their closets. This would allow us to pass along correct items to new members; not to pass along our mistakes. Members would donate 10% of their proceeds back to the PSRS. Mrs. Karen McKenna made a motion to this effect; it was seconded and carried.

An idea from the past regarding a Tea/Fashion Show was brought up. The original intent was for it to be presented to and attended by the public as an educational fund raiser. After general discussion, Mrs. Rucker volunteered assist this committee with assistance by

Mrs. Key, and look into the various possibilities.

Miss Christie asked that ideas for the annual workshop be sent to Mrs. Jeannie Weil as she is the Chair of this committee. Discussion included Day Caps and evening headdress.

Mrs. Rucker announced that she and Miss Lynn Cogdill will also be hosting a workshop June 6-8, 2008 in Spartanburg to be taught by Mrs. Carolann Schmidt of the Genteel Academy. Topics will be Collars and Cuffs Saturday morning and Fichus in the afternoon and evening.

A discussion was held regarding the fact that many Unit Reps are not doing their job and that the list needs to be updated. A Unit Rep should have access to a computer in order to be updated in a timely manner by email. Along with this discussion it was decided that the PSRS Application needs to be updated. New member Mrs. Holley will be the Unit at Large representative.

Miss Christie invited everyone to join her for a Tea at this event. She will furnish the beverage (lemonade) and everyone else is asked to bring a period goodie and their teacup. It will be held at 11:00 at her tent.

Miss Christie feels a need for someone to assist her with sending cards, etc. and asked if a social secretary was needed. After general discussion a motion was made and carried that the current secretary position be allowed to purchase and be reimbursed for note cards/greeting cards and stamps in order to fulfill this need.

Miss Christie asked that we be aware of our appearance and behavior at all times since we never know when our picture may be taken and end up on a web page like U Tube.

Mrs. Key offered some display boards given to her by former President Mrs. Marty Hegler which were quickly claimed

Miss Metts, ably assisted by her niece Miss Callie, awarded the door prizes and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:15.

Respectfully submitted in the absence of the secretary,

by Mrs. Sherry Key.

I recently purchased this book on a whim and am very glad I did. The review below is shamelessly lifted from Amazon.com [where you can also purchase it] as I don’t believe I could say it any better. The book was most enjoyable, especially at this time of year. It was subsequently loaned it to Miss Metts who assures me was equally charmed by the story and the characters. Enjoy!

Colors To Dye For

By Suzanne Collins

It’s truly amazing how many colors can come from nature and from a variety of sources. You can get golden yellow from flowers, lavender from bark, rich brown from nut hulls, subtle green from fungus and red from insects. Because the elements in nature are composed of the same core elements (carbon, oxygen), these natural colors share a common feel. Think of them as naturally blended tones and hues. If you put different samples of natural dyes together it’s amazing how the colors coordinate naturally. Only the yellow dye from weld is a true clear color. This is an important point to remember when choosing colors for your impression. Most synthetic dyes are true clear colors and weren’t readily available in the 1860’s.

The first synthetic dye was introduced by William Perkins in 1856. He discovered it while trying to synthesize quinine. His experiments produced a by product that was purplish in color. He tested it on fabric and found it was rather fast. He named it mauve and the color soon became all the rage in the fashion world. Even Queen Victoria had a mauve colored dress. Other colors soon followed with madder in 1869 and indigo around 1897. By the 1900’s, they were granting patents for synthetics dyes every year, the only problem was a lot of the early synthetic dyes were rather fugitive (they liked to run).

So when you think about your impressions keep color in mind. Choose tones that are subtle and avoid ones that are too clear and true. A bright green or florescent orange shawl made from Wal Mart yarn will greatly distract from your impression, not to mention the hazard of synthetic fibers (but that is a separate article). Next month I’ll cover the basics of natural dyeing so that you too can dabble in the colorful bounty of nature.

Submitted by Angela Metts

Article submitted by Shanna Williams

From the time she watched her brothers ride away to war, Mrs. Richardson says her memory seems to be a blank until the news came that Sherman's army was on the way. She recalls the great excitement on the plantation then as slaves and members of the family scurried about picking valuables and food preparatory to leaving home for the upcountry. The Brunson’s had planned to travel with their neighbors in a sort of caravan to escape the path of Sherman's march and the five Brunson children were thrilled at the prospect of traveling. The day came on which they were to start and she remembers the disappointment they all felt when her mother, sitting at the breakfast table, announced that she had decided not to leave, but remain and take her chances with the Yankees right in her own home. Their nearest neighbors, the Richardson family, whose plantation adjoined their own and whose son, Dr. C. G. Richardson, the little Hattie Brunson later grew up to marry, decided to remain at home, also.

The change of plans necessitated a lot of work to hide food and valuables. Food and articles of values were secreted in the walls of the house and buried in the lot where they were covered with dirt and manure. Mr. Brunson, who was beyond the age limit and did not get into the army until toward the last, divided all the meat and provisions which he was unable to hide between his slaves, as he did not believe the Yankees would take food from them. At last they saw Sherman's army marching up the road. Five men approached first and searched Mr. Brunson, but found nothing. He had taken the precaution of giving his oldest daughter, a girl of about fourteen, his much prized watch several days before and Mrs. Richardson accompanied her sister into the woods where they hid it beneath the gnarled root of a large tree.

The soldiers entered the house and plundered it from cellar to attic. They ripped open mattresses and pillows, scattering feathers and cotton everywhere, and took whatever they fancied. Mrs. Richardson tells how they took the children's rag dolls and tore then to pieces before their eyes. However, they saved their best-beloved china dolls by hiding them on their persons. Having wrought havoc to their satisfaction in the house, the soldiers then proceeded to destroy what they could on the outside. The gin house, full of cotton, was just across the road from the house and this they set on fire. They killed all the chickens, hogs and cattle for their own uses, and what they could not use of the flour, rice and grits, they emptied together on the ground. They carried off all the horses and mules and left the plantation bare of all food. Fortunately, they did not burn the house, and also missed a lot of cotton which Mr. Brunson had stored in an empty house on the place. . . .

Sherman's army was three days in passing the plantation and pitched camp on the Richardson place a mile away. From there, foraging parties would descend upon the Brunson home all during the day and night. If they found any of the children eating, they would snatch the food out of their hands and throw it away. The only food they had while the soldiers were in the vicinity were potatoes which their mother baked in the fireplace and they learned to slip the potatoes in their clothes when they heard soldiers coming. Once five officers visited their home and looking about at the disorder, inquired of Mrs. Brunson whether their soldiers were responsible. Mrs. Brunson, a quiet, retiring woman, spoke up with withering sarcasm: "You don't think I did it, do you?" They told her that she could have had a guard around her home if she had asked for it and she retorted that she had asked and had been refused. Spying the piano, one of the officers sat down and played a merry tune while another danced about the room. Mrs. Richardson says she never heard that tune before or since until recently when she heard it over the radio. It brought back to her vividly that scene of 73 years ago.

Source: Library of Congress Website

Submitted by Sherry Key

June 2008 Lynn Cogdill will again be sponsoring a sewing workshop in Spartanburg, SC taught by Carolann Schmidt of The Genteel Arts Academy. Last year’s Sleeve Variations was very educational as well as fun to boot! The topic and details have not been set, nor the price, but last year it was $149.00 and worth every penny.

August 2008 The annual PSRS workshop. Send your ideas to Jeannie Weil.

???? 2008 Kay Gnagy and Mackenzie Anderson Sholtz are considering a workshop, probably in Sumter, SC, sometime in 2008. May and July seem to be somewhat slower months so those may be likely candidates. No details yet.

Dates subject to change: (I = Information only, O=Other,

B = Battalion Event)

DTA =Date To Be Announced

www.psrs-csa.com

Crossword Puzzle Answer Key