Patterner Cosplay: January 2019

07 January 2019

WW1 US Army Contract Surgeon Uniform (Winter Version)

The winter version of the Contract Surgeon uniform was based on photographs of female contract surgeons that I had found in the time since making the summer version. This is my main uniform for World War 1 living history and educational events.

Details about making this uniform can be found here.

Presenting my research at the Bay Ridge Historical Society, 21 November 2018

Photo: unknown

United War Veterans Council Holiday Dinner, Fraunces Tavern, December 2018

Photo: Eliza Vincz

United War Veterans Council Holiday Dinner, Fraunces Tavern, December 2018

Photo: Eliza Vincz

Presenting at the Bay Ridge Historical Society, 21 November 2018

Photo: Unknown

Green Fairy Society November 2018, Armistice Day Theme

(Test wear to identify problems with uniform)

Photo: Scott Stanger

Green Fairy Society November 2018, Armistice Day Theme

(Test wear to identify problems with uniform)

Photo: Scott Stanger

Green Fairy Society November 2018, Armistice Day Theme

(Test wear to identify problems with the uniform)

Photo: Scott Stanger

United War Veterans Council Holiday Dinner, Fraunces Tavern, December 2018

With WW2 WAVES veteran Lucille

Photo: United War Veterans Council

Veteran's Day 2018

Photo: passerby

World War 1 Contract Surgeon Uniform (Summer Version) Photo Gallery

I made this uniform to be part of my historical presentation for the East Coast Doughboys, a living history group in New York City that teaches the public about World War 1. I have had the privilege of being one of few people to portray a woman in uniform during this time because I have the skill to make these uniforms, which are not available on the mass market the way the men's uniforms are.

The pattern for this uniform comes from a 1916 dressmaker's pattern that I re-drafted and draped to be what I wanted it to be. It is made of a nice cotton twill and interlined with wool hair canvas to give the lapels and collar their shape. All the buttonholes are hand-embroidered and fully functional, although most of the skirt front is sewn shut to prevent wardrobe mishaps. Only the top few buttons are used as the closure. Both the jacket and the skirt are lined in silk habbotai. The shirt and all the leather pieces are vintage, except for the chin strap on the campaign hat, which I made to replace the crumbling original. The medical arm band is not my work.

A detailed description of how this uniform was constructed can be found here.