Costume Remix #8: Amistad (1997)
As a baby costume designer, I’m so eager to learn and enhance my craft and I spend a lot of time studying other artists’ work. I am always inspired by the costume pieces from some of my favorite films. So, I decided to start trying to recreate, and in some cases, revamp or put my own spin on some famous and not so famous pieces from these films.
Of all the beautiful costumes I could have picked to recreate from this film, I have always been mildly obsessed with osnaburg shirts. You might know them as the beige work shirts worn mostly by men in the 18th and 19th centuries. I’ve always called them slave shirts. Sounds politically incorrect. But osnaburg fabric was primarily used in the Americas for clothing worn by slaves. So there’s a history lesson fer ya…moving right along…
I wanted to keep the silhouette of Ruth Carter’s design, but use a lighter, more airy fabric. I live in LA and it’s hot 50 weeks out of the year and I’m not a fan of being musty.
Pattern: Simplicity 3519 Misses', Men's & Teen's Costumes
Fabric: Island Breeze Gauze Champagne from Fabric.com
Style: Osnaburg Shirt
Vintage/Contemporary: Vintage
Original/Reproduction: Reproduction
I didn’t want to use to much adornment on the shirt like any strings or ties. So I finished it with some bias tape. I didn’t have too many issues with the construction except for the gathering. I have an irrational fear of my gathering foot. I don’t trust it’ll do what it’s supposed to. So I gather using the two thread method, which is basically fool proof, but it’s a little time intensive. At any rate, I really enjoyed making this shirt. I had it on my dress form on display for a few months because it felt like I had a piece of history hanging there.
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