The obligatory intro post

[black_hound]

 My user name is black_hound . I've been in reenacting for 25 years as an American Revolutionary War reenactor and I am in the ranks.

I am primarily an artillerist. I have been working black powder artillery for the bulk of those 25 years. When I field with artillery it is as a member of the Pennsylvania State Navy and their 3 pounder cannon, "Defiance".

I also field as a rifleman with the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment, Rifle Coy.

I'm not sure what else there is to say except I love black powder, I love live fire competitions, I love the history of the Am Rev War, and I love the hobby. Warts and all.

If you belong to a unit or civilian organization and they have a website, please post a link and I'll add it to the sidebar.

Comments

[black_hound]

Oohhh. I've seen photos of the Senior Service. Those guys are just brilliant!

And yeah, SEWING. Which, in fact, I hate. *g*

I have some to do. Actually should have done it way before now. I need a new linen shirt posthaste. It's just all the handwork. OY.

*Hmmm... need to port my historic sewing icon over here from THE DREADED LIVEJOURNAL.*

[sharpiefan]

I just sat down and did mine bit-by-bit in front of the telly. You can take sewing with you when you round friends' houses without being thought of as anti-social, too.

I got my pattern from Patterns of Time; it's a Kannick's Korner one and pretty self-explanatory.

Also, thanks for reminding me: I have a pair of trousers to finish at some point as well.

[black_hound]

Kathleen Kannick's patterns are terrific. I used her workman's jacket pattern to make my coat for my Pennsylvania Navy impression.

Speaking of trousers. Are the Napoleonic trousers still fall front?

[sharpiefan]

I've got her shirt pattern and now her trousers pattern.

And yes, Napoleonic era trousers are fall-front. (Remember Archie Kennedy's button flying off when he comes running down the companionway?)

[potboy]

We're a bit far from Portsmouth to make a regular thing with the Senior Service, but they have shared events with MM, so I'm aiming to get there one day!

*g* I quite like sewing. As Sharpiefan says, it's good to have something to do with your hands infront of the TV. But having three people to make 18th Century kit for and 4 people to make Saxon kit for means it just takes forever. And shirts are worst of all, with all those gussets and reinforcements!

[black_hound]

The gussets are evil. I don't mind so much putting them in as I mind finishing all the seams around them. I have yet to hit on a method that I actually like. I've done overcasting (linen still frayed too much), French seaming and a couple of other closed seam methods. Which are fine until you get to the gusset areas, and then it is like some kind of arcane origami to make it all work.

[sharpiefan]

*checks gussets of sailor's shirt*

Looks like I did two seams enclosed - off-set then folded under - and somehow finished the other two as though doing the double-seam effect you find on jeans. I don't recall having that much trouble with them. (Not like the current issue I'm having with the fall lining of my trousers. Need to re-cut those and totally redo them, which is going to be a pain.)

[potboy]

I know what you mean! I tend to hem all the pieces individually first before assembling.

[black_hound]

That? Is an excellent idea.

And I'm still stalling on the shirt. Oy.

I love to knit. LOVE IT. And that always seems to trump the sewing. Yet I need to get with it because I really do need a new shirt.

[potboy]

Knitting I can't do at all. I've learned three times and forgotten three times, which is odd, as I like spinning, I like weaving, I like embroidery and sewing. I obviously am just not cut out for anything that involves knots.

I would swap knitting for shirts, except that I already have a frock coat and posh waistcoat (for Andrew), a robe a l'Anglaise and matching petticoat (for Rose), two sets of pocket hoops and a woman's riding habit (for me) to make first. Also a full nun's outfit, a pair of trousers and an under-dress for Regia. And that will take me a couple of years, I'm sure!

[black_hound]

Swapping knitting for sewing is actually a grand idea.

I did swap a thrum cap I made for some jewelry. So why not do it with sewing!