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Since I have had several inquiries into my regalia, I thought I would post it here and then those that have regalia can also post what type they wear and why.
In my avatar, you can see my regalia. I dress post contact as my great great grandmother, Susannah Minchew, would have dressed. She was a Person county farmer’s wife, having been raised in Orange county. He was a large landowner. He descended from the Whitefields, Moores, Hargis, Van Hook and Farrar, just to name a few. Most of my ancestors came from Virginia, the James River area. I also would like to remind you that this is my first regalia and regalia does evolve as you find more family history and things take on different meanings over time.
My shirt is muslin, a plain fabric that would have been found on most any homestead here. It is gathered around the neck by a piece of twine and tied from underneath.
The skirt was gifted to me, but, reflects a design similar to tear skirts worn in this area. It is a red and white polka dot design. It is also held in place by a piece of twine run through a casing. I don’t wear an apron like Siouan woman because I don’t think she would have worn one like that. I think if she wore one, it would be plain muslin and pinned to her dress or tied around the waist.
My shawl is a yellow material that was gifted to me. It is not finished yet, I have yet to add any fringe. I have placed my “grandmother” pins on it as a tribute to all the grandmothers. I also have pieces on there to represent my family. I have not embroidered anything on the yellow one yet since I have not decided what symbol I want to use. I also use tablecloths that were handmade by the grandmothers as shawls. I have several that are hand embroidered with lace.
My neckerchief is one that my late husband used when he was a Boy Scout. I feel that a woman would have worn one simply to use to protect her neck from the sun or wipe sweat. I also have one that was used for the Order of the Arrow. I also carry a handkerchief that belonged to one of my grandmothers.
I carry a knife and fan made by John Blackfeather Jeffries (a gift from Ken for Christmas). I have a turtle shell bag that I also carry. And of course, there’s my medicine bag that holds the tobacco/sage/sweet grass/ cedar mixture.
My necklaces are chosen as to what event I am attending and what I feel that day. I wear shells as a tribute to the James River ancestors. I have a snail shell necklace, also. I have made several beaded necklaces from material bought or gifted at pow wows. I usually use the dragonfly as a symbol of our work in cemeteries. Beads that I use can be many materials from horn, glass, or simply metal beads from Walmart.
My boots are white doeskin, a gift from my husband. They are knee high so I don’t have to worry about leggings. I have added beads to the fringe on them.
In my hair I usually wear black, white, red color scheme. I have beaded barrettes and tie my hawk feathers to them.
And come this winter, I hope to work on a different color skirt using my birth color, lavender. One note, in a description of Susannah in the heritage books, she was described as wearing a bonnet….and I have considered adding one of the many that I have to my regalia, but, not sure if I will or not.
And if I have forgotten anything, I will post it later. I hope those that have regalia will take a minute to describe what you have, why you wear it, and any changes you hope to make in the near future.
Aho
Becky
I really appreciate the way you have put your regalia together. It has answered some questions I have had about what would be my real intention of making and wearing regalia. How will I honor my ‘ggparents’ whose memory is in jeopardy of being forgotten.
Thank you for posting this.
QuietGirl
Thank you, I went with what I felt at the time. Actually this winter I have worked on another skirt made from the homespun fabric that I got at Walmart. It is patterned moreso from the 1850s era, with a triangular neckerchief that is larger.
I made a rectangular shawl that would come around the shoulders, this one is to wear when attending gatherings at Stagville, a plantation in Durham.
I took the yellow shawl I had and added a binding in matching fabric, which can be turned inside if I wear it with the red/white outfit. Not sure at this point what else will go with this outfit…still have a couple of months before pow wow season is in full swing.
I think if you go with your heart, you can’t go wrong. And regalia does evolve as you dance and attend the pow wows. Good luck…and remember the ancestors will help you…..
You have really inspired me 🙂 I think I might head to the fabric store today and do a little shopping. The WalMart near me discontinued their fabric dept., but I may check one down the way. May I ask what type of fabric you made your shawl from?
In the several pictures I have seen of my ggparents, the women are wearing men’s type bowler(?) hats. I have always owned one of these at one time or another, so I am going to incorporate that into the outfit.
I am really excited now 🙂 This actually seems doable for the near future. I thank the ancestors so much for this! 🙂 I was always scared to even think of doing this… afraid I was going to do something wrong or disrespectful.
Michele
QuietGirl
The yellow shawl is a piece of fabric that was gifted to me by my husband’s late aunt. It is polyester.
The new shawl is the same fabric as the skirt.
I also have used eyelet tablecloths, embroidered tablecloths (made by great grands).
I have seen many different types of fabrics…the most interesting one was a hand tied tablecloth made from tobacco strings….a true heirloom. Look through your belongings and see if anything speaks to you..
The only thing I have heard as far as any fringing is that the fringe goes to the outside if you are single and to the inside if you are married.
I have done quite a bit of research on types of clothing worn during the time frame after which my outfit is modeled. Remember one thing…they used what they had. It’s not rocket science….think simple…..KISS.
Aaahhh cool, I think I may have some tablecloth like fabric that I can look into using. That is so true, they used what they had… That also puts another perspective on it for me.
About the fringe, i am not quite sure I understand… If I put the side of the fabric that I sew the fringe to facing outward, that would signify that I am single?
Thanks so much for your help 🙂
Michele
Sorry to mislead you, when folding your shawl that goes over your arm, if the fringe is toward the hand, single. If the fringe is toward the elbow, you are married or taken.
I have been told to look at Goodwill, Salvation Army for clothing…you never know what you will find. My shirt was bought at a local costume shop when they went out of business. It is muslin and was originally a shift for the renaissance time. I cut it off and made a short shirt. The leftover fabric became my grandson’s shirt for his regalia (he’s only 5).
Oh no, I think it was just me having a hard time understanding 🙂 Thank you so much for all your explanations.
Cool, I am going to try out my favorite thrift stores around here. I am on a tight budget so this tip really helps.
Thank you so much Becky!
Michele
Woo-hoo! Thrift store run! ;~)
Once we start looking for ideas, everything has potential. Even the strings the vacuum cleaner strips from old rugs. :~D
Have fun.
Mousini78 wrote: Since I have had several inquiries into my regalia, I thought I would post it here and then those that have regalia can also post what type they wear and why.
In my avatar, you can see my regalia. I dress post contact as my great great grandmother, Susannah Minchew, would have dressed. She was a Person county farmer’s wife, having been raised in Orange county. He was a large landowner. He descended from the Whitefields, Moores, Hargis, Van Hook and Farrar, just to name a few. Most of my ancestors came from Virginia, the James River area. I also would like to remind you that this is my first regalia and regalia does evolve as you find more family history and things take on different meanings over time.
My shirt is muslin, a plain fabric that would have been found on most any homestead here. It is gathered around the neck by a piece of twine and tied from underneath.
The skirt was gifted to me, but, reflects a design similar to tear skirts worn in this area. It is a red and white polka dot design. It is also held in place by a piece of twine run through a casing. I don’t wear an apron like Siouan woman because I don’t think she would have worn one like that. I think if she wore one, it would be plain muslin and pinned to her dress or tied around the waist.
My shawl is a yellow material that was gifted to me. It is not finished yet, I have yet to add any fringe. I have placed my “grandmother” pins on it as a tribute to all the grandmothers. I also have pieces on there to represent my family. I have not embroidered anything on the yellow one yet since I have not decided what symbol I want to use. I also use tablecloths that were handmade by the grandmothers as shawls. I have several that are hand embroidered with lace.
My neckerchief is one that my late husband used when he was a Boy Scout. I feel that a woman would have worn one simply to use to protect her neck from the sun or wipe sweat. I also have one that was used for the Order of the Arrow. I also carry a handkerchief that belonged to one of my grandmothers.
I carry a knife and fan made by John Blackfeather Jeffries (a gift from Ken for Christmas). I have a turtle shell bag that I also carry. And of course, there’s my medicine bag that holds the tobacco/sage/sweet grass/ cedar mixture.
My necklaces are chosen as to what event I am attending and what I feel that day. I wear shells as a tribute to the James River ancestors. I have a snail shell necklace, also. I have made several beaded necklaces from material bought or gifted at pow wows. I usually use the dragonfly as a symbol of our work in cemeteries. Beads that I use can be many materials from horn, glass, or simply metal beads from Walmart.
My boots are white doeskin, a gift from my husband. They are knee high so I don’t have to worry about leggings. I have added beads to the fringe on them.
In my hair I usually wear black, white, red color scheme. I have beaded barrettes and tie my hawk feathers to them.
And come this winter, I hope to work on a different color skirt using my birth color, lavender. One note, in a description of Susannah in the heritage books, she was described as wearing a bonnet….and I have considered adding one of the many that I have to my regalia, but, not sure if I will or not.
And if I have forgotten anything, I will post it later. I hope those that have regalia will take a minute to describe what you have, why you wear it, and any changes you hope to make in the near future.
Aho
Becky
Thanks for sharing Becky, how wonderful to use special pieces of your family history for regalia:) Makes it so much more meaningful when in the circle? mLike they are there dancing with you:)
I have thought long and hard about what I will do, if ever I find time??!! I really have no articles from grandmothers…I was the black sheep on my maternal side, and so received nothing of my grandma Mae’s and I never knew my grandma Marie:( and so…well, I have always felt at home in nature, the woods…far, far from society, not that I don’t like people, I just really enjoy listening to nature. So I may make something from animal skin and embelish it with things from nature.
Maybe you or Ken have some advice?? Blessings,
Shirley
I know huh 🙂 I LOVE thrift stores! I still have not gotten the chance to go yet though. My son was driving me around town the other day and he cannot stand them! hahahahahaha Sometimes I make him go with me and it is like torture for him. hahahahaha I can stay for hours. We have a real nice one that they was just built by the Deseret’s(?). Everything is so reasonable. Some of the other thrift stores like Goodwill and Savers went crazy on the prices, I think because thrifting got kind of popular with the ‘yuppies’ around here. If it’s cool, I will post if I find anything good. 🙂
You know, I have been tempted to try Ebay, but I still have that thing of ordering products online. I think I may have to give that a try here soon if I find anything good. Thank you for the suggestion teachteach. 🙂 Do you have any favorite sellers that you frequent?
@sammaroq, excuse me for jumping in, but what you wrote is similar to what I was feeling also. I don’t really have any relevant hand-me downs, but this was an eye opener for me on how I can honor them. I now feel like I have a direct connection to them. Now, it is as if I can hear my grandmothers giving me advice on what they would do or what they would wear. 🙂
Well, hearing their advice is a good thing. That can lead you down the right path.
I should have stepped in first and said that the first thing to do is to attend pow wows and get a feel for some of the regalia. There are many different categories of regalia and you will need to find what suits you best. I chose cloth because of my ancestors and where they lived and what time frame.
Ebay may be good for some materials, but, I have don’t have the confidence in buying online, either. I want to feel and hold something before I buy it for regalia, just to make sure I am not adding any bad karma/spirits.
Now as far as natural stuff, you may want Dreaminghawk’s input here. His regalia is made from buckskin. He is even working on tanning several hides and can give you some good insight into that aspect.
Aho
Becky
I don’t have any ebay recommendations. I will simply say that I bought two possible regalia skirts and shirts on ebay. The style is the style that my ancestors would have worn at one time. As Mousini suggested, I attended the powwow that my cousin grew up attending (My g-grandparents moved away from my gggrandmother’s family, because they continued their culture.) with his branch of the family and observed their style of regalia. Then I found two available on ebay and purchased them. As to whether or not I ever use them, that remains to be seen. They are a more informal style, if that is the appropriate way of describing it. I observed several people at the powwow wearing this style who were not likely tribal members. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I would feel uncomfortable wearing some of the fancier regalia.
I have purchased a lot of things on ebay and have had only a couple of problems, a pickup that turned out to be in far worse shape than the picture seemed to indicate and trailer accessories that were not delivered. The pickup turned out a good story rather than a bad one. The trailer situation was tense for a time, because I tried to use paypal, but the seller’s account had been closed; that did not excuse me from paying as per ebay’s regulations. I think that the seller had become seriously ill or worse. Eventually, Ebay worked it out. It was really my fault, because I did not read the seller’s feedback before purchasing. So, just watch these kinds of things. I did successfully buy two small travel trailers on ebay, so that shows you the level of trust I have.
There are several enrolled tribal members who sew regalia and sell on ebay. You might look for one of these.
Techteach
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