Remembering World War II 2015

The last weekend in September we stepped back in time to the 1940s for a day.

We attended ‘Remembering WWII‘ which took place in Linden, TN. The entire historic downtown area was dressed up 1940s style – buildings and people!

There were military reenactors, battles, lots of military and civilian vintage vehicles, a live big band, and many wonderful veterans speaking.

We tried to represent a 1940s farm family. (I don’t know if the stroller fit in with our impression…I didn’t research that part)

We got a surprise and at the last minute our friends Jesse, Alice and Gavin got to come stay with us for the weekend! We were so glad they did. Visit their lovely blog here.

As Marian’s dress from last year was of course too small – I had to make her a new one. It was a delightful project! The fabric is a candy pink rayon print from my stash. The pattern I was using was actually a 1950s pattern, but after studying quite a few 1940s pattern diagrams online, I was able to make the appropriate changes, and even added a few new design elements. Really happy with the way it turned out! Her shoes are vintage – a yard sale find gift from my Mom!

My dress was made new for the event (finished the day before as usual…oh dear). It is a yellow rayon print also from my fabric stash. The skirt actually came from an old dress I made years ago using 1940s patterns. I had long ago cut up the old dress because I wasn’t happy with it and it has been in pieces since. Yay for making it wearable again! My hat is vintage 1940s, purse & gloves vintage also.

Jordan decided to do a civilian impression this year. If you follow him on Instagram (@axe_and_anvil) you know that he has been working on restoring his circa 1941 Farmall A tractor. He really wanted to have it done for the event, but there just wasn’t enough time. His overalls are vintage style ‘Key’ brand, worn with a vintage Fedora he found on eBay.

There were lots of fun snapshots like this to be seen of soldiers and civilians all over town. However, I purposely didn’t take tons of event pictures, as there were many professional photographers there whose work will be posted to Remembering WWII ‘s website at some point. :) I knew they would capture it much better than I could.

The battle was quite loud, so Jordan was covering Alan’s ears – who apparently decided he might as well have a nap.

The whole down town was transformed into the year 1942. All the store front windows were displaying vintage items and/or posing as period correct stores – like the adorable toy store window above (featuring a retro style doll bed from Dream Come True), and a window from ‘Michelle’s of Paris’ dress shop below. The wedding dress is actually a loaned vintage 1941 dress from my collection. (I bought it at an estate sale years ago)

Those faces!

I had much too much fun pushing the stroller around town! I knew I wanted to have a vintage stroller (baby buggy? pram?…not sure what the correct term would be) So I had been searching the local craigslist for a while. Found this one for $60, but it needed quite a bit of work to get it in working order and looking presentable. My handy husband did a wonderful job with it – it was very smooth and easy to push, and it made the day SO much easier than having to carry our two big kids!

Even though the kids were tuckered out by the end of the day – we all had a wonderful time!