Post by cblackthorne on Aug 11, 2015 13:27:00 GMT -5
Hello,
DISCLAIMER: Below is my experience with making a tropical uniform for the DRK. This is probably not the only way to make one of these uniforms nor am I trying to say any other way is wrong. I just wanted to share this experience with others that might be thinking of a similar project in the hope it will help them out. So anyone looking for a nice uniform for a wife/girlfriend to wear at an event and not participating in the battles, this would be a great option.
Our unit has both Helferin and DRK impressions. Recently we did some research regarding a rarely seen reenactment uniform: the DRK Tropical.
We wanted to add a uniform to our group so that the women could have something to wear during the warmer months. Since our unit is from the southern front, it made sense that a tropical uniform for the women was the right approach.
This is one of many photographs I found of the tropical DRK uniform.
We started building this uniform from a Luftwaffe tropical jacket. This tunic offered the best color and baseline design from which to modify. This particular tunic was purchased from At The Front. Here is the uniform before we starting any modification.
First, I removed the buttons. The DRK tunics used a 2 or 4 hole brown button.
Second, I made the sleeves short.
Third, I removed the pleats from the upper pockets. I used the material from the sleeves that was cut off to make the new pockets.
Lastly, I replaced the lower pocket flaps with two-button versions. I used the material from the sleeves that was cut off to make the new pocket flaps. Here is the final jacket:
Next was the skirt. I found some material at the local fabric store that matched the tunic material almost exactly. Using a standard skirt design for DRKs, I made a pattern and created a skirt to go with the tunic. Here is the final design:
I also created a belt from the same fabric using a tension buckle.
To finish off the uniform, we used a standard short sleeved white shirt, nurses hat, stockings, and Oxford shoes. The only insignia is the Red Cross neck pin.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Chris
DISCLAIMER: Below is my experience with making a tropical uniform for the DRK. This is probably not the only way to make one of these uniforms nor am I trying to say any other way is wrong. I just wanted to share this experience with others that might be thinking of a similar project in the hope it will help them out. So anyone looking for a nice uniform for a wife/girlfriend to wear at an event and not participating in the battles, this would be a great option.
Our unit has both Helferin and DRK impressions. Recently we did some research regarding a rarely seen reenactment uniform: the DRK Tropical.
We wanted to add a uniform to our group so that the women could have something to wear during the warmer months. Since our unit is from the southern front, it made sense that a tropical uniform for the women was the right approach.
This is one of many photographs I found of the tropical DRK uniform.
We started building this uniform from a Luftwaffe tropical jacket. This tunic offered the best color and baseline design from which to modify. This particular tunic was purchased from At The Front. Here is the uniform before we starting any modification.
First, I removed the buttons. The DRK tunics used a 2 or 4 hole brown button.
Second, I made the sleeves short.
Third, I removed the pleats from the upper pockets. I used the material from the sleeves that was cut off to make the new pockets.
Lastly, I replaced the lower pocket flaps with two-button versions. I used the material from the sleeves that was cut off to make the new pocket flaps. Here is the final jacket:
Next was the skirt. I found some material at the local fabric store that matched the tunic material almost exactly. Using a standard skirt design for DRKs, I made a pattern and created a skirt to go with the tunic. Here is the final design:
I also created a belt from the same fabric using a tension buckle.
To finish off the uniform, we used a standard short sleeved white shirt, nurses hat, stockings, and Oxford shoes. The only insignia is the Red Cross neck pin.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Chris
