I seem to be the square peg here. ;-) It is because of the hours it
took to create quality historical clothing that made me into a textile snob.
I detest shopping in retail stores because the quality of the textiles and
manufacture is just wrong, ugly, shoddy. When I'm pressed for time and am
desperate to replace a garment I cave and shop retail. But mostly I try to
make my own garments using the same standards I do for historical garments.
The fabrics I choose are mostly natural fibre, all French or
flat-fell seamed. Everything is custom fitted. (No one hour Simplicity Jiffy
patterns for me). As a result of that and the care I give those garments, I
find they last a very long time. In fact, I have a cotton velveteen tunic
with mabee pearl buttons I made ten years ago which is still fashionable,
and still standing up very well. Just last year I had to retire a blue silk
noile hand-embroidered shirt I'd worn fairly steadily for about eight years,
and a gorgeous black silk noile tunic.
Even the casual garments I wear are made with the same care, and as
a result stand the test of time. I figure it's money and time well invested.
Regards,
Lorina
Five Rivers Chapmanry
purveyors of historical sewing patterns, quality hand-crafted cooperage,
re-enactor and embroidery supplies, and more.
519-799-5577 [EMAIL PROTECTED] - www.5rivers.org
Message: 13
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 00:33:34 -0500
From: "Ailith Mackintosh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [h-cost]
To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
*snip*
> This sounds familiar! I have more shoes than any other man I know.
> Most of them cost at least $100, but none of those are suitable for daily
> wear! My regular shoes are cheap and I wear them untill I just can't get
> away with it anymore. Sometimes beyond that. People often dont recognize
> me out of costume because I dress well in period, but shabbily out! I
> actually have just started spending some money to amend that, but it is
> money that I have been forced to spend out of embarrassment.
>
> I wonder how common this is on this list?
I'm betting that it's much more common than one would think. I know a number
of folks whose period dress is better made and is a much higher fabric
quality than what they wear in the modern world, myself included.
Since my illness last year, my "uniform" has been sweat pants/capris, tee
shirts and tennis shoes. I've pretty much stopped doing my beloved Italian
gowns and have opted for 14th century stuff since it's easier for me to
manage. My hair is much shorter now (it started falling out 4 months after
my hospital stay); it's been years since it's been this short and I can't do
a thing with it! :-)
Most of the stuff that I've made recently is made of linen, linen/silk
blend, wool, wool/silk blend. None of my modern clothing comes even close.
kate
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End of h-costume Digest, Vol 5, Issue 190
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