Most Civil War shirts pull over head. I have not seen many that are completely button down in front. But, plackets on Civil War shirts vary as much as collars. A placket is piece of shirt, which contains two pieces of material - back placket is where buttons are sewn and front placket is where buttonholes are placed. The collar is usually attached to top of placket.

With plackets, without plackets, most shirts button down front with a variety of buttons. Civil War soldiers wore fancy shirts with ruffles, plain shirts; wool shirts, shirts made from flour sacks and some shirts were made by tailors. The combination of pieces you can put on your Civil War Uniform Shirts is endless: collars, plackets, buttons, style, material, etc.

I take some liberty to combine pieces I like as long as I have seen them in a museum or an original photo. What is in museums and original photos is only tip of iceberg when it comes to styles of shirts worn during Civil War Era.

For a course on Civil War uniforms which provides many more specific details, send an email to collars@civilwaruniforms.net

To see actual photos of reproduced shirts with a variety of collars, go to

http://www.civilwaruniforms.net/collars.htm

2004 permission granted to reprint this article in print or on your website so long as contact information is included to coach@civilwaruniforms.net

For photographs of shirt designs, patriotic combinations, and topstitching, go to http://www.civilwaruniforms.net/shirts.htm

Next, get yourself some good buttons. Stay away from plastic and modern buttons. Go with glass, bone, shell, metal, porcelain, 2-hole cat's eye or Mother of Pearl. Metal buttons are authentic, but they have potential to rust and stain your fabric. Some of sutlers that sell fabric and sewing items have buttons.

Or I have a ton of buttons I might be talked into parting with. Buttons can also be found at flea markets, antique stores, in old button baskets, tins or jars. Frequently, you can buy a whole jar of buttons for $3 - check out buttons in it, and if you find a substantial antique buttons, it certainly is worth it. Sometimes jar is as valuable as buttons! I have found jars full of buttons with a hundred dollar button in it. Small items like buttons can make a huge difference and increase value of your shirt, jacket, pants, etc.

To see some antique buttons, go to http://www.civilwaruniforms.net/civilwarshirtbuttons.htm

Try to get solid brass buttons. Waterbury is good. Original buttons are a bit pricey but not out of question. If you are getting U.S. Eagle buttons, sutlers have them. Stay away from ones that are plated. I personally just use coin buttons. If you are doing a state regiment, you want to go with state seal buttons. "I" buttons are a good generic impression. For late war buttons, go with Tate Script "I" which were coming in later in war. U.S. buttons can go U.S. or Confederate. It would not be unusual to see an Eagle button on a Confederate uniform.

For more information on making your Civil War Uniforms Shirt and, send an email to coach@civilwaruniforms.net Learn how to make your own wooden buttons!!

Coach McCoach has been creating patterns and making Civil War uniform items for 25 years. His Civil War uniform designs have been seen in movies GETTYSBURG, ANDERSONVILLE and Antietam Visitors Center. For more information, contact coach@civilwaruniforms.net or visit http://www.civilwaruniforms.net

2004 permission granted to reprint this article in print on your website so long as paragraph above is included and contact information is included to coach@civilwaruniforms.net or visit http://www.civilwaruniforms.net