faux suede fringe

Have you tried making a double layer of the fringe? That might make it more substantial.

Beverly

Have you tried tugging on the fringe to kinda stretch it out a bit? That might work.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

My first thought was to run a gathering thread and ease it on ever so slightly, so that there isn't quite enough room for the strips to lie flat.

Joy Beeson

All of these are great ideas! I'll try them to see what works best. I just hope they'll wear them when they're finished. :-)

lisa

Dear Lisa,

For the record, Daniel Boone never wore fringed jackets or coonskin caps. If you're familiar with the military style jackets worn by Lewis and Clarke, that would be closer. Boone was a Quaker, and wore the black felt hat seen in many pictures of Quakers. He did, however, wear leather breeches and moccasins--much more practical in the wilderness, where he spent much of his time. That aside, Hollywood portrayed Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone with coonskin caps, and that is what "stuck." My former University before retiring owns the Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri, and I had to dress the docents. It took much research and a lot of sweat to get them "authentic."

Teri

Much of Hollywood, especially Walt Disney (Fess Parker made the coon skin cap famous, my brothers all had them, all I got was a darned Dale Evans cowgirl hat) also portrayed them romping around together on their adventures.......in reality there was 52 years difference in their ages. But this is for Halloween and the boys are doing "make believe" so as long as there isn't a history pop quiz on November 1st, who cares! LOL

I'd spray that fringe down with water and scrunch it up, let it dry until just barely damp and then rub it with my hands to rough it up good, then blast it with a hair dryer or toss them in the dryer.......after all they were "rugged" mountain men, or so the legend goes.

Val

Dear Lisa,

It's the museology gene in me. I have a degree in museology, and have curated several collections. We have to verify everything, and do extensive research before we can make a single text panel for an exhibit. I didn't mean for you to change your ideas; Halloween should be a carefree, fun time for children, and your ideas are fine, especially when you don't want to use masks. I just thought you'd like to know.

Teri

Thanks, Teri. I love learning stuff like this. But my two boys are ages 2 and 5. The older one is autistic and I was trying to come up with a costume that could be removed easily and not involve covering his face with a mask or makeup. He'd freak! The younger one wants to be just like his brother, so I thought I'd just dress them alike. :-)

Thanks for your information!

lisa

I used to sew reproduction clothing for several of the museums around here and did very extensive research on these items. The biggest problem, or maybe not, is that when you do know what is "period correct" you find yourself critiquing costuming (and even set props) on movies and TV. A pile of metal spring clamp clothes pins on a stump by the wash tub in 1776; I don't THINK so! "ZIPPERS? What the heck are they doing with zippers down their dress backs in 1620 Italy!!" Or zippered flies on men's trousers in

1850, not likely. Seeing the outline of modern bras under blouses (shirtwaists) in 1890? I even spotted a pair of Nikes being worn by one of the "walking wounded" in a Civil War scene. OMG! My kids hated watching those TV shows with me in the room as I'm shouting at the TV.......they didn't wear, have, use THAT, it wasn't even invented yet!! Those guys didn't HAVE buttons on those shirts then! Amish women don't WEAR mascara you fools!! A housemaid in 1890 did NOT wear blue eye shadow and lip gloss......and on it went. Wonder if that's why the kids ended up leaving home immediately after high school for college or the military......they got tired of watching that "historical stuff" with Mom? hehehehehe... Not all bad. When the first 2 boys left the nest I got a huge dedicated sewing studio in the "big room". LOL

Val

Dear Val,

I do the same thing. I can't help myself. I got into all kinds of trouble when I started researching the Boone Home for my University. I found that Daniel Boone was 68 years old when he came to Missouri, and no way did he build that house. It was his son, Nathan's house, although Boone and his wife, Rebecca, stayed there often, and Boone died there in 1820. The man from whom the University bought the Boone Home had been telling all kinds of wild stories about the place for years. Not necessary, when the man himself was an enigma, and the real stories were better than the fantasy stuff. Hmm. Maybe your experience with your kids is why my kids roll their eyes when I start.....

Teri

And just for some more fun trivia. ;) Before we moved here to Arkansas a little over 2 years ago, we lived in Corydon, IN. Just to the south side of Corydon, is Squire Boone Cavern. The park is on the site of the settlement where Squire lived. (Daniel's brother.) There is a huge cave, obviously. lol And the flour mill has been preserved, still works. The oddest things about the cavern are the "chapel" and the burial site in there. They are not sure if it's Squire's final resting place or not. The leading theory is probably not, but it makes for an interesting tidbit on the tour. ;)

They really were an interesting family.

Sharon