Inspiration:

After I made my Civil War dress I decided that I needed to make some underpinnings (something I now know should have been done first). So I gave it a try. Of course, Scarlett O'Hara trouping around in her corset and bloomers proved very inspirational *grin* :)

Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind.

Materials:

Simplicity pattern's 9769 and 9764, white cotton and muslin, white lace, hooks and eyes, a button, ribbons and elastic.

Construction:

Chemise: My first attempt at a Civil war chemise came out not exactly the way I was hoping. The chemise was so long that it made my bloomers bulky and uncomfortable when the chemise was tucked in. The sleeves on the chemise also were uncomfortable when my dress was worn over it and the sleeves moved around and bugged me badly. So I ended up selling this first chemise to Rebekah.

My second try came out exactly how I wanted it. I drastically shortened the chemise so that it came to mid-thigh instead of mid-calf. I also completely removed the sleeves. Both these changes cut down a lot on the bulk of my atire and proved very comfortable and satisfactory.

Drawers: Instead of leaving the drawers accurately crotchless, I sewed up the crotch. I think this made them more bulky between the legs but I wanted to be safe. I also used some leftover lace from my Victorian Gown around the legs, rather than buying more. The back of these drawers hangs down almost to my knees and they look positively ridiculous, but who's going to see me in them? :)

I ended up taking the ribbon ties off the drawers and put elastic in instead. This was a very farb decision but I thought that tying and untying my drawers in a portable potty at a Civil War re-enactment was ridiculous. I am pleased to announce that the elastic has solved my problems :).

Petticoat: One thing I noticed about wearing my dress was that the bones of my hoop showed through the dress. I soon learned that this is what petticoat's are for! So I set about making a simple petticoat out of muslin. It didn't take very long and it does it's job very well.

The Finished Under Clothes:

This was my first attempt to make underpinnings and I am very pleased with the results.

Sorry that the drawers picture is blurry; below is a better shot.