18th Century Militia Attire

• 1). Purchase commercial sewing patterns for any items needed or visit thrift stores for clothing to adapt.
  
  
• 2). Adapt a men's frock from a brown or beige flannel nightshirt or nightgown. Cut and sew to mid-thigh level.
  
  
• 3). Make breeches by hemming a pair of pants just below the knee and running elastic in a casing around the hem.
  
  
• 4). Purchase a pair of white knee-high socks.
  
  
• 5). Wear buckled shoes or create a pair by hot-gluing a buckle over the tops of brown or black shoes.
  
  
• 6). Purchase a thin-brimmed hat made from soft material such as flannel or wool at a woman's department store or through historical period catalogs. Alternatively, wear a three-cornered hat.
  
  
• 7). Roll a small blanket and tie and lash it with a rope to create a shoulder strap and wear your blanket roll across your body.
  
  
• 8). Carry a replica musket for effect. Search antique shops or specialty shops for a powder horn with a strap and carry it over the shoulder, across the body like the blanket roll.
  
  

18th Century Women's Attire

• 1). Scour secondhand stores for long billowy skirts or purchase a pattern (see Resources) and make two skirts to use as your petticoats. Use simple elastic waistbands under the gown.
  
  
• 2). Purchase a commercial pattern (see Resources) for an 18th century gown, white cap and cloak.
  
  
• 3). Purchase fabrics and notions as noted in the package directions and sew according to pattern directions.
  
  
• 4). Tie an apron around your waist. Colonial women often wore an apron made of a quilted material for warmth; however, a simple white waist-tied apron will work.
  
  
• 5). Purchase or make a triangle kerchief, large enough to circle your neck. Women of the period often wore prints or calico patterns. Wrap the kerchief around your neck and tuck the ends into the front of your dress.
  
  
• 6). Purchase a pair of black knee-high stockings and a pair of brown or black ankle boots to finish the look.