CHIT - CHAT

On the chit-chat page I will be posting answers to some of the more unusual questions I am asked.  Feel free to e-mail me any questions you might have. I will e-mail answers or post them here.  If you have any alternate answers to the questions you see here, please send them to me and I will post those also.

Ladies, I have started the year 1864 of Peterson's Magazine for the Newsletters.  I will continue to leave the 1863 Newsletters up as long as my server allows.
POST CARDS
Check out the new item for sale!!!
PETERSON'S APRIL 1864 MAGAZINE

REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS---I just couldn't resist the book by George Cumming McWhorter, having just found out that my g.g.grandfather Abner McWhortor changed the spelling when they came to MO. from IN.  So there's a real possibility that George is a relative!!
OUR NEW COOKBOOK---A couple of receipts for reenactment breakfasts.
FASHIONS FOR APRIL---Another reference to garments being remade year after year with a fresh trimming.  Also check out the colored underclothing.

PETERSON'S FEBRUARY 1864 MAGAZINE

IMPROVEMENT IN STAYS---Here's a description of my antique French corset.
VENISON---I wonder if a dusting of powdered ginger on our outdoors dining tables would keep the flies away---worth a try.
HEAD-DRESSES---Here's another elastic use.  This issue also has instructions for a crocheted hair net.  It looks like a doilie and the instructions end with:  "These nets are confined round the head by means of an elastic band, passed through the rows of loops immediately above the border pattern."
PETERSON'S JANUARY 1864 MAGAZINE

I decided to put mostly fashions news in the January Newsletter because most everyone is using the winter quarters to update their reenacting wardrobes.  I think you will enjoy all of the accessory and remake type ideas in it.  You will notice that I have changed to two columns but I still haven't figured out why it adds a blank line when I hit enter after a short line.  I've tried using shift plus enter and it will look right and then reverse back to the blank line when I shoot it up to the stars.  If anyone knows how to fix this problem, please let me know!!!
PETERSON'S DECEMBER MAGAZINE
PETERSON'S NOVEMBER MAGAZINE

Please forgive me for not getting the November and December newsletters up and flying on time.  This year has been hectic and something had to get pushed aside.  You will find that the November issue will not print on just two sheets of paper.  I've tried to keep it to two for those of you who make copies to share with friends.  However, there was so many neat articles and information that I just couldn't stop----so enjoy!!!
"ABSOLUTELY INDISPENSABLE"--- Here's one for The Lamplighters.  This group started a little over a year ago and are really lighting a path for the rest of us.  I plan to put up a page on them soon.  There are several tidbits from area towns (Keosauqua, IA is less than an hour from me and my Dad lived there for awhile as a boy).  This shows you how widespread this publication was. I've heard tell that even the Southern Ladies coveted their copies and sometimes the action would cease so that the mail could be transferred.  I would like to know where any historical files are for the Peterson Magazine and if there are lists of names and addresses of subscribers.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS --- There are usually 6 to 10 books reviewed each month.  Seldom is there any relating to the war.  Likewise with the poetry and stories.
BUT TRYANNY IN FASHION --- Ok, ladies, here's your permission to create your own styles.
COLORED COLLARS --- Now's the time to start using the colored fabrics----even stripes!!
FOR MORNING WEAR --- Now you know why they didn't want the elastic to show!!  I think maybe that the added ribbons were just on the top where the hair didn't cover the elastic and not used as a draw string.
PETERSON'S OCTOBER MAGAZINE

SHAPES OF CRINOLINE---You can see here how the shape is heading for the bustle era.  Check out the use of elastic.  Also, the waistband boning and the draw string only in the back.
PETTICOAT AND CRINOLINE TRIMMINGS---Here's our modern day eyelet trim.
AN EXTRA COPY FOR A PREMIUM---Finially an explanation about the clubs.  Postage was usually paid for by the subscriber, but I wonder if all the magazines were shipped to just one address to save the publisher time in addressing individual magazines.  I'm keeping an eye out for those other advertised premiums.  Wonder what they were!!!!
BALMORALS, ETC.---Notice the high-heeled boots---this type of heel is easier to find in our discount stores, but I don't recommend it for walking around at reenactments.  Mention is made on "wearing out a skirt" meaning that you can get some more wear out of a skirt even after the bodice is outdated.  This is the first that I have seen this explanation.  Usually, the wearing of a Garibaldi blouse is because the one or two bodices that match the skirt have worn out, not out of style.
FASTENINGS FOR SHAWLS---This duchess would gladly wear a fake looking ring that costs twelve hundred francs----wonder what a franc was worth in U.S. dollars back then.
CHILDREN'S FASHIONS---This sounds like a good quick outfit for our little reenactresses.
FRENCH WORDS---
bouillonnes---closest term that I can find for this means to "bubble over", so I would assume it        looks something like puffings.
recherche---sought after, in great request, in demand, choice.....
revers---back, reverse; back of the hand; facing(of clothes).....
vigor---strength, might, energy, power, spirit...
vignette---seal, stamp, label.
PETERSON'S  SEPTEMBER MAGAZINE
There was so much fashion information that I just couldn't stop at two pages. Please forgive me for not getting the September issue posted sooner, but I had a little bundle drop a month early that took my breath and attention away.  Please check out my Words page where you will find my new Grand-daughter's web site with pictures of what I think is the most beautiful baby ever created!!!  Everyone is betting on how soon I will have her in Civil War clothing.
SOME EXQUISITE DRESSES---Another reference to what is called page or pages--the ribbon loops to hold up skirts and give them festoons or a ballooned look.
BALL AND PARTY DRESSES---I am seeing more references to ball dresses instead of ball gowns.
POTATO PUREE---Sounds like twice baked potatoes to me, and we thought that was something new!!!!
THE DRESS-MAKERS....---We generally think of epaulets as being across the shoulders but they can also be the description for short cap sleeves.
HEAD-DRESSES---Notice how they talk about hair being worn waved or in short ringlets.
CHILDREN'S FASHIONS---I found it amazing that they used silk for children's clothing.  Striped colored stockings for little boys---how cute!!!

AUGUST HAIR STYLES
AUGUST HAIR STYLES--The Duchess is quickly becoming the "Hair Lady"!!!  After years of reenacting and fighting the problems of hair styles and wigs, I decided to do something about it.  I spent about two years searching for the perfect hair for my ladies. (Don't ever check my attic--it has a closet full of "nitemare hair orders" that I invested a lot of money in, in my search)  The quest was for low maintenance, durable curl-holding, hassle-free, real-looking, 1860s adaptable and most of all reasonably priced.  From the raves of my ladies due to the millions of compliments that they are receiving, I think the end results were worth the search.  Thank goodness my ladies don't keep secrets well and are willing to pass on my number for others to order.  It is such a thrill to attend the Balls at events and see all my curls bouncing.  At most events, I give at least one complimentary workshop and the past year, it has had to be one on hair.  We have so much fun in The Parlor recreating the hair styles of the 1860s.  The picture of the August hairstyles (on the left) is easily styled from our "Scrungy" trick.  We generally apply the Grecians curls where the braid is.  I now have hanks of hair ($5.00) that can be braided as shown in the picture.  Half of the hank for the braid and the other half used in a hair net for a different style.  Check out the Neccessities page for ordering the hair.
A French lesson for the French words in the description of the August Hair Styles.
V Imperatrice ---- V means very, love, of.  Imperatrice means empress.
rouleaux ---- roll, scroll, roller; curler.
cheveu ---- hair.
rouleaux un ~ de cheveu ---- a roll of hair.
Credit goes to my daughter for getting me the French dictionary that was on my Christmas list last year.  Thank-you Stacie!!!
PETERSON'S AUGUST MAGAZINE
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE---We have only seen increases in postage in our lifetime, therefore this seems somewhat of a novelty.  I remember someone at my local post office telling me that in the 1870s, a letter cost 25 cents and was paid by the recipient.  This would make it even more understandable as to why reduced postage would please recipients.
"NOT INCREASED IN PRICE."---This one is for my Wisconsin Ladies.  How fantastic to think that we are reading the same information in the Peterson's Magazine that the Sheboygan Ladies read in 1863.
SUMMER DRINKS---Before the hot summer sun wanes, I'm going to try making some of this punch to serve in the Parlor (minus the 7 bottles of  booze).  It might be a nice change from the iced peppermint tea.
JULY HAIR STYLES
JULY HAIR STYLES---The first paragraph under GENERAL REMARKS in the FASHIONS FOR JULY talks about the hairstyles.  I backed up and added the two figure discriptions and then decided to see if I could scan the pictures in so that everyone can see.  Huzah!!!!  It was even more intriguing to see because the editor didn't approve of the styles.  Now that I am figuring out how to scan, insert image, reduce size, name it right, link it right and ship it to the stars right----I'll try to scan something in each month.
PETERSON'S JULY MAGAZINE
NOTICE---Page 75 & 76 is gone from my 1863 volume.  I wonder what it said---oh well, there was still enough interesting things to fill up the July issue.
A NEW STYLE OF NET---Note the invisible part and the fact that the net kept the dirty hair from soiling the clothes.
VEILS---Sounds like they all were black.  How do you embroider with straw???
DRINKS FOR WARM WEATHER---COLD PUNCH---Could this be what they call Highway Lemonade in N.E. MO.???
CHILDREN'S FASHIONS---For the Ladies who attended the Carthage Tea, here's another proof that boys did wear Knickerbocker suits
PETERSON'S JUNE MAGAZINE
WEDDING-RINGS---With so many weddings at reenactments taking place, I thought that this article would be of great interest.
FANCY ARTICLES FOR FAIRS---Here's some more ideas for fund raisers.  Attention LUAS sisters:  Might be something here to help pay for our '99 MO. Ball.
HOW TO REMOVE MILDEW FROM LINEN---After the Mason City event, and trying to soak Col. Allen's mildewed, bloody aprons in bleach water, I may just have to try this one.  Only there sure hasn't been any frosty nites around here lately!!!  After reading this you'll know what the statement "air your linens" means.
A POMATUM TO MAKE THE HAIR GROW---After 8 days of rubbing hempseed oil on your head, who would care if their hair was growing or not!!!!!!
FASHION FOR JUNE---Printed pattern boarders were used!!!!  Another reference to steel petticoats.
WOMEN AND THE SANITARY COMMISSION
Women and the Sanitary Commission was an article at the beginning of the Editorial Chit-Chat column in the May 1863 issue of Petersons.  Many of my ladies are interested in the Sanitary Commission.  This compelled me to type it up for all to see and make copies of for their friends.  Many different aspects of the Civil War can be gleaned from this article.

PETERSON'S MAY MAGAZINE
WESTERN UNITED STATES---I keep putting in the complimentary articles from these Western states to show how well received the Peterson Magazine was.  It seems geared more to the average lady living in these states and dreaming for an escape from her life once a month, into the pages of Petersons.  One wonders how many ladies finished her work day and picked up a sewing project that she was copying from the pages of Petersons, trying to complete it for a special occasion.
A HINT ECONOMICAL---We are still finding references for the black petticoats and hoops.  The idea that they would not have worn black petticoats because the dye bleeds seems all the more reason that they would have worn them.  What would happen when a black dress bled black onto white petticoats?  Ladies of the 1860s were very much into recycling, so perhaps what we are seeing is not a black skirt, but a black skirt recycled into a black petticoat as this article suggests.
A HINT ECONOMICAL---Check out the herring-bone embroidery stitch on the ribbons and sash.
A VELVET ZOUAVE JACKET--Here again, they talk of recycling.  This was the beginning of our skirts and blouses that we wear today.  The bodice would wear out and they would make a blouse to wear with it.  Generally, you will see a print skirt with a plain colored blouse.  Where it says a white muslin skirt, must be a typo, I would assume it should read shirt.

PETERSON'S APRIL MAGAZINE

The April issue has a good variety of articles.  Check out the Timbals, made with maccaroni.  Sounds like a good cassarole dish to freeze ahead for an event.  Or the Beef Hash, but what is sippets?  If you fix any of these dishes for an event, be sure to take a copy of the receipt to share with your friends.
PETERSON'S MARCH MAGAZINE
I have changed the newsletter buttons so that each month will stay on.  Ladies who will be purchasing PCs and the internet in the future will be able to back up and catch the newsletters from the start of 1863.  I will continue to carry copies of the newsletters to events and can be gained by tossing some loose change in the can.  Please feel free to print off copies from the web site and make copies for your friends.  The more we share historically acurate information, the better presentations we can aquire.
CUIR COLOR---This color pops up again, this time in the children's fashions.
COOK-BOOK---How about some pea soup and fish sticks at the next event?  Freeze ahead!!!
FASHIONS---This issue has a lot of accessory type items, which can change the looks of last year's outfits. April will have an article on crimping hair.
STRIPED PETTICOATS---These look like fun!!! Notice that they refer to our hoop skirts as steel petticoats---I kinda like that term!!!
MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS---I would not advise anyone to try these receipts, I have included them for historical value only.
PETERSON'S FEBRUARY MAGAZINE

I thought that I had best share with you some of my reasonings on the selected articles in the February issue...........................................................................................................................
PICTURE FRAMES---This might be a good period source for those fund-raisers that the ladies are always needing for their unit functions.
INFANT TREATMENT---The mothers, young and old seem to have an interest on how they raised those babies back then.  Note: the whole article is geared to the masculine gender--didn't they ever think that we might pop out a girl once in awhile?????
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS--- I know it sounds like I'm picking on the military, but I just had to add this one.  I promise a different style next month.  Reading Daniel Butterfield's name brought to my mind a conversation that I want to share with you.  Back in the '80's, I was at a reenactment at Momence, IL  where I met an elderly gentleman with the Butterfield name.  He was a gemoligist and I purchased a beautiful topaz from him. (later I had silversmith friends from WI. set it in a ring for my mother)  I asked him if he was a decendent of Daniel Butterfield.  He finially admitted it but said there wasn't much to be proud of.  Well, I informed him that we wouldn't have the bugle song "Taps" were it not for Daniel Butterfield.  He said he knew that, but he also knew his Grandmother's heartache.  For Daniel Butterfield took not his wife to war with him, but one or more "ladies" traveled with him and this was an embarassment and sorrow to his Grandmother.  This really was an eye-opener to me at the time, and the memory of this little conversation has stuck with me. It kinda makes you want to read just what Brigadier-General Butterfield's advice on camp and outpost duty was and his rules for health.
FLANNEL STAYS---For all you "elastic enthusiasts", check this out.
OUR NEW COOKBOOK---Being blessed with the name Patricia McWhortor and of heavy Irish decent, I had to add the recipes on "the blessed potato".  I know it is a month early for celebrating "St. Paddy's" day, but March doesn't have any potato recipes.  Could the fried potato recipe be a forerunner of our "chips" that we consume by the bagfull??????
PETTICOATS---We are all on a mission to find any research on black underpinnings and if they were just a "mourning" item.
PETERSON'S JANUARY MAGAZINE
If you have finished reading Peterson’s January Magazine excerpts, you may have some questions. If you e-mail them to me, I can add them to this page in February. I will submit two with answers that might be of help to you.

QUESTION: "What is the ‘corsage of the dress’ mentioned in the ‘LACE GOODS’ article?

ANSWER: The corsage of the dress is across the top part. We are more familiar with the word corsage as a flower decoration. Corsage, then, as a noun, meant a place not a thing. Today, we sometimes say a wristlet corsage, (two places) meaning a wrist flower, (a place and a thing).

QUESTION: "What color is ‘the new cuir color’ mentioned in the "FASHIONABLE STYLES of SILKS" article?

ANSWER: In the November 1863 edition of ‘Petersons’ magazine, it tells "......for who is not tired of the cuir (leather) color with which every article of ladies’ outer garments appears to have been dyed during the late spring and summer.......But the leather color has had its day and a very long one too, and the tourterelle(turtledove) shade is to reign in its stead."

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