Heidi Marsh or Homespun?

[Wendi]

I went back and read all the shirt threads, and now I'm confused.

I've pretty much figured out that I need small buttons and fine white cotton which is the direction I was leaning in anyway, but I now have no idea which pattern to use. 

I HAVE to make him new shirts his are all falling apart and not correct for his impression anyway (PI square men's shirt is what I had the last time I made him shirts).

I currently have the Heidi Marsh M-1-CWS Man's Civil War Shirt and the Homespun Gentleman's Dress Shirt Patterns. 

Can I use one of these patterns or should I look for something else.  If I can use one of these do I need to make any modifications to the pattern for accuracy?

My husband portrays a Federal Captain although he steps up and down in rank depending on the needs of the unit and the event.  Usually he's an officer though, so I'm aiming for that in his clothing.

HELP...my head is about to explode. 

[PaddyMac]

I am glad to "hear" that I am not the only one who is confused about the patterns. I am new to sewing my own stuff and have met with some success with other things so I picked up some very nice linen to try and make myself a nice  working class summer shirt but after reading all the shirt threads , there are so many opinions on the patterns and frankly, I am not sure I am qualified to make any modifications unles they are very simple.
I am starting to think I am in over my head here.

Patrick

[Wendi]

Don't feel bad.  I've been at this for a very long time, and I'm terribly overwhelmed right now.  I think I'm trying to absorb more information than my brain can handle.   

I actually envy newer re-enactors they have far less to un-learn.   

As for being on over your head...don't be afraid to try and to mess up if you need to.  I would advise starting out with less expensive fabrics, for shirts getting a fairly nice muslin at Joanns for your first test drive is ok, and on sale you can pick that up for around 2 dollars a yard. 

I will say this...when sewing I learned far more from my mistakes than I ever did from my successes.  And I've been sewing historical clothing for almost 30 years at this point.  (Which translates into ALOT of mistakes.)   

[Maggie Koenig]

I'm actually not a terribly big fan of either pattern company because their patterns are not done all that well.  You will find with both a tendency for things to not line up well, sizing to be way off and the possibility for pattern pieces to be missing.  Instructions may also be a bit scant. 

Instead, I would track down the Simplicity patterns by Martha McCain, the men's pleated front shirt from Past Patterns (just be sure to make it long enough) or, Charlie Childs' shirt patterns (with the appropriate changes to de-military them).