This picture was posted on the Colonial Williamsburg Facebook Page.  The weird looking buttons in the left corner are actually button molds, made of bone or wood, and were used to make a variety of designs by wrapping threads in a certain pattern around the mold.  These were used in both men's and ladies clothing, but usually very fine garments, and can be purchased from Williamsburg, or you can get the supplies from William Booth to make them yourself. 

The French in Minnesota

Finally getting around to posting this link that Bill Schjolberg shared about the French in Minnesota - lots of interesting information!

Platteville 2016

300th Anniversary Event - Sault Ste. Marie

For our consideration, in 2018 on the site of historic Fort Repentigny in Sault Ste. Marie, they will host a one-time 300th anniversary event of the founding of the oldest city in Michigan.  July 25-26.  For informational purposes I prepared a Powerpoint presentation you can access here.

You will need either Powerpoint or access to Google Slides to view, or e-mail Michael Mathews and I'll send you the file.

Let's get there in numbers in 2018.

Excellent Illustrations

I have harvested a series of prints by Eugene Leliepvre and others, mostly of "marines."  Some have appeared in publications familiar to us like Parks Canada.  Click on the images to enlarge them.

A veteran sergeant imparting wisdom to his young ensign.

Detail of the sergeant.

A generic soldier, representing
what most of us have patterned.

In harbor, to remind us of the mixed duties.

"Have you seen any little green men?"

So perhaps we can find inspiration in these images for the coming year(s).  Now if I can only figure out how to look so young and thin again....






 

Lessons from a Handcraft Tailor

Fashion in New France

Read the full article here.

Women's Fashion After the Fall of New France

Read the full article here.