skirmish line article

Editor's Note: We would like to feature here one of our newer sutlers. Old North State Sutlery is owned and operated by Mark Wadsworth. He produces fine quality uniforms.

 Mark Wadsworth was a member of the N-SSA for a few years while serving with the United States Marine Corps and stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. After meeting with some friends he thought this would really be a fun way to spend some time and enjoy Skirmishing. He moved into reenacting at about the same time but had to give up both hobbies due to a very active deployment schedule. The Marine Corps really has a way of getting in the way of fun times.

After learning about the term "authenticity", Mark started to upgrade his shell jackets, hand sewing over the machine work. He learned how to sew buttonholes by hand and soon after he sewed over the buttonholes of every Civil War garment he owned including two period shelter halves with thirty-two buttonholes each. It was painful, but afterwards he was proud of his effort.

The reproduction uniforms that we have today come from many sources. Upon inspection of many of these garments, he found some to be authentic looking and others were costumes. He decided that he would learn to sew and make a quality garment that was as close to the original uniforms that he possibly could without losing common sense. After studying books, diagrams and anything else that mentioned Civil War uniforms, he decided to start out to make uniforms and still be reasonably priced considering the hours he put into them. All his garments are hand detailed to add a genuine touch of the 19th century clothing. He hates that factory made cookie cutter look.

Mark strives for quality in his garments, not quantity; thus he might be more expensive than some of the other less discerning merchants. There are other uniform makers who charge more than he does but his garments are made with attention to the period correct details and are constructed using traditional methods whenever possible. Only period appropriate fabrics are used. All buttonholes on his garments are sewn by hand because he wants to make a quality garment in a timely manner.

It all started after a rude challenge that was made while Mark was griping about an over priced and under sewn imported shell jacket. "If you think that you can make something better then try it yourself" After that statement was made, Mark taught himself to sew.

That next weekend he bought a sewing machine. Soon after that Mark obtained a few yards of fabric and traced out a pattern. After that, he kept on sewing. He started teaching himself to make trousers then moved into shell jackets. Then moved in to making other items.

The Old North State Sutlery first officially set up shop at the Beach Bash Skirmish on June 25, 2004 in Hubert, NC. That event was hosted by "G" Co., 23rd NCT. The operation was set up under a fly tent. Mark likes setting out in the open air, but quickly learned that bad weather under a fly tent is not proper for this line of work. He just recently moved up to a small marquee tent that will fit on a plat on Sutlers Row at Fort Shenandoah. Having walls on a tent is more confining for him but is much nicer in the rain. He can stay open in the rain and not have to worry nearly as much about his products being damaged.

Mark picked up an old Singer hand-cranked sewing machine and, it goes everywhere that he sets up. He uses it for on the spot alterations. He also likes to give demonstrations with it when time permits. He could have picked up a quicker treadle sewing machine, but the hand-cranked machine is a lot easier to transport.

Mark tries to set up at least two times or more a month at Skirmishes and reenactments. Since he is new to the sutlery world he finds it hard to get in at a lot of places. The doors are slowly starting to open up for him as word of his excellent work spreads throughout the skirmishing and reenacting community.

Mark first set up at the 111th Nationals and met a lot of nice people there. He returned to the 112th Nationals and was surprised by the number or returning customers. Some of the returning customers were bringing their fellow teammates with them.

So, if you are in need of a uniform or parts of a uniform, look Mark up on Sutler's Row the next time you are at Fort Shenandoah.

TAKEN FROM THE APRIL MAY JUNE 2006 “SKIRMISH LINE”