Civil War Ladies: Fashions and Needle-Arts of the Early 1860's [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Mark Campbell (Author, Editor), R. L. Shep (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0914046098 | ISBN-13: 978-0914046097 | Publication Date: January 1, 2007

What did women do during past wars? History was not written with them in mind and we can only get information from women's publications of the times. Here we have a country wounded, scarred, and in mourning. Women had to bear these burdens and were not liberated enough to really institute change. Civil War Ladies contains hundreds of fashions, patterns, under garments, needlework, hair styles, items made at home, and many songs of parting and sorrow. Hair jewelry was also important as 'remembrance' or 'mourning' jewelry and a large selection is illustrated. Primary Source Material is mostly from Peterson's Magazine (an American publication) of 1861 and 1865.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: R. L. Shep Publications (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914046098
• ISBN-13: 978-0914046097
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,107,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait!, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Civil War Ladies: Fashions and Needle-Arts of the Early 1860's (Paperback)

This is a wonderful compilation of material from Peterson's magazine & Self-Instructor in the Art of Hair Work. There are embroidery patterns, lots of clothing patterns for women & children (to be enlarged), black & white fashion plates, sheet music, crochet patterns & knitting patterns (somewhat difficult to translate, but great ideas to get you started), craft instructions for pin cushions, purses, fashion accessories, & househould items, hair styling pictures & how-to's, and much more! This book is a great source for costumers, reenactors, and people who just enjoy the era. Even if it's special order, it is certainly worth the wait.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Primary Source, March 26, 2003

By 

"perqs" (Grand Prairie, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Civil War Ladies: Fashions and Needle-Arts of the Early 1860's (Paperback)

Reprints from Peterson's Magazine from 1861 (beginning of Civil War) and 1864 (end). This book omits the recipes and literature, but includes hair styles, children's and women's fashion with some patterns.

The limitations of the book are due to the limitations of the source material itself -- art work is pen-and-ink drawings, and the printing is small and sometimes hard to follow. But that's part of dealing with a primary source.

Good as a companion to more detailed books about reenactments and costume history (authors such Janet Arnold, Jean Hunnisett, Nancy Bradfield, the Cunningtons, and Norah Waugh). Probably wouldn't stand alone or be that good for a beginner since it would need some "interpretation" for the modern reader; the introduction to the book covers the limitations and would be good to review before delving into the work itself.

I found the close-ups of the hair styles and gowns to be helpful, but again, the novice might be asking, "Where do I go from here?"

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the Novice, February 21, 2006

By 

masckerade (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Civil War Ladies: Fashions and Needle-Arts of the Early 1860's (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading and reviewing this book, and it made a fabulous ADDITION to my mid-Victorian costume book collection. However, I would not suggest this one as a book for beginners to either costuming or reenacting.