Thursday, March 31, 2011

It has begun... now how long will it last?

So, I've tried blogging before, and have had various amounts of success, when the Thimble (my usual partner in crime- best friend and the ever more practical and all around better half to the living history whole) recommended that maybe I would have more success writing about my passion: historical fashion, etc.

The husband seconded this motion, and so here I sit with a sewing room full of pieces calling my name. I'm not one to usually follow the progression of my creations, so I think this will be an interesting experiment.

Well, let's just get this out there. I am a historical fashion lover and a living history nut. By lover I mean fanatic. By fanatic I mean it's an illness really. There should probably be medication or a place where they put people like me... (I prefer to think of it as a really nice, big, workshop with lots and lots of period correct fabric, books, and museum pieces to reference...). I am in love with authenticity and if I had no other tasks to perform in my life I would sew everything by hand in natural daylight in authentic reproduction clothing (so some of my associates may think I'm crazy, but I love it!). However, due to lack of time and the pressing need for clothing, sometimes I stray: I admit that I do use a modern sewing machine for lots of things (inside seams, occasional blind hems, stay channels). I do own an 1886 pedal machine, but need to repair a belt so that I can use it to make my post 1886 garments.

I am a stickler for natural fibers. While this makes it difficult for me to shop at the local fabric store, I do find a lot of really good sources for all natural fibers comparable to their historical counterparts through specialty retailers and the internet. Trim, however, is always a challenge. And don't even get me started on lace. Uhg! I certainly do not know everything, but love learning new stuff. I dig primary sources the most. They rock my world.

Anyhow, it's all part of who I am and what I love. So I thought I might put some of that our there for other people like me. I mean, I'm not the only one, right?

Anyone?