Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe's Replica Coats...Part 1

 Paul Sheaffe's father wearing the original 200 year old coat , with his sword at their Family reunion

I received a lovely  email from a  Mr Henderson, early in August, 2012

He wanted us to make some 1812 outfits for the Bicentennial  Events coming up in Sept-Oct 2012...

He asked if we could make one for himself, A full Gentleman's Outfit 1812 Along with a Man's Canvas Haversack.

 Linda Stanley of:

" Canadian Art Cards.com"

  So we began with a series of emails then fittings and picking of fabrics.

 Linda choose a striped fabric with a silver thread  for the main Day Dress.  Along with Blue-Black Bahamian Linen for her Pelise. I accented her outfit with simple ruffle trims, rust  ribbons , and embroidery on the back of her pelise too match her Reticule

This outfit had to be finished for a speaking engagement two weeks after her first fitting.

Her hand sewn"day cap" and Chemise are made from 100% cotton

If you have had the opportunity to see her at some events around Ontario you can be sure she will show you her chemises detailing her initial "S"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAXuyeQdt5o&feature=colike

Mr Sheaffe & His wife Glenda 1812 outfits had alot more work involved.

Stephen Sheaffe had decided to wear a replica of his ansestor's coat pictured below. This is what it looked like prior to coming to Canada, to it's new home, for the people of ONTARIO to enjoy. 

I had never created a military outfit as of yet.  I was leaving that up to the pros and reenactors.

But, I was chosen for my Sewing and Embroidery talent's and determination. I had a thing about being extra fussy, for a lack of better words!

 We started to make the Shirt's for the men.  We decided since we had no time to hand sew them he would machine sew the interiors and do the exterior's by hand.

I was quite busy creating the pattens and doing it in Stephen's tall size along with a regular 42 for the Musem

 front Black Cashmere Panals,  8 Hours for sewing time

They had  to send me their  measurements for me to create the outfits, with the opportunity of only one fitting before going public, on His Speaking Engagements ...Through out Ontario, and the States.

I would have to be sure of the sizing and leave the sleeve and hems for last...

Through many phone calls and emails to Australia!

Glenda's first choice for her fancy "Day Dress"

It was too light weight with the cold damp weather coming...her second choice, which became her first...100% Blue Paisley Quilting Fabric, blue & Gold buttons, Gold trims and a 100% cotton chemisse with her name and lots of lace! Mini glass heart buttons and gold satin sleeve bands.

some more of my 1812 Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe work on Display...

I have spent the past two month's researching and designing the Replica of Sir Roger Sheaffe's coat from the 1825-30's. 

This time period was determined by Mr Robert Henderson from:

 http://www.militaryheritage.com/

he is also the one who helped with the correct buttons, for the Replica Coat.  Prior to this information reaching me I had been told it was from 1812-13 circa.Time was running short and I couldn't find the pattern as the dates were wrong. When I did find them they couldn't send it in time...

So I did what any other seamstress or Tailor would do... I designed it using the Military General Officer's button as my measurement, guide.

All this was done through emails and from, Paul Sheaffe's  private photo's.

  It wasn't untill the October 9th Invitation only, Speaking engagement at the

Historical Society Museum in Niagara on the Lake.

That Paul and myself noticed the side seam on the coat. The embroidery flowed around to the front of the coat and on top of the waist seam! 

 A photo with the Sheaffe's at Brocks Monument.

We checked the files, he had taken  no picture's  of this side seam.

The sleeve had covered it in every photo.

 What was I going to do.
There was not enough time to change the computerized embroidery sew. files and redo the coats,

Stephen had already been wearing it too many engagements here, Kingston and up to Ottawa. 

 We had spent  many hours  on the embroidering of the 4 coats for their public viewing .
The Buttons came in just in time as promised:

Thank you Robert Henderson!

 We had tried to find Maple leaf printed or brocade fabric, fitting for a General.

Pine Cones was what we decided on.

"That's Canadian, Eh!"

 Hand sewn pocket welts,9 ~ 3/8 Shank gold buttons

It was with the amazing help from Susan Spencer That I found Mr. R Henderson...

http://www.spencersmercantile.com/

and Susan Spencer from Spencer's Mercantile on Locke Street in Hamilton, Ontario. 
Also at many WW2 Events, and Reenactment Events Canada & USA

Thank you for all your help advice and products

These didn't arrive on time!
So I purchased two regular ones from
Spencer's Mercantile, Hamilton For the Sheaffe's to wear for their engagements.

I created a personal Embroidery label for Stephen's coat lining of Muslin
It incorporated part of  the Sheaffe Family Crest
It was desided to put it in all the 5 Coats that were created by:
Beverley of  SheaffeDesigner/BEARS4U

A photo taken September 28, 2012

This was my first meeting & fitting with the Sheaffe's

A Before picture of Mr. John Henderson's, Work in Progress!

Will  it fit...?

This was an Adventure of a Life time and now I have Sew many Memories.

It was a pleasure and a honor, to be apart of History in the Making

Myself speaking to the Mayors wife at the

Niagara Historical Society & Museum, NOTL

This picture was taken at the Reenactment of Brock's Funeral 200th Anniversary. 

Enjoy and God Bless...