Good evening to all of you and hope my series of questioning doesn't
seem silly but for some reason I am still having trouble trying to
decypher the difference between an amateur costumer (myself, one who
has a general knowledge of a topic) and one who is a serious costumer,
or professional. Moreso, I am very much driven to enhance my education
and skills as a costumer but just can't seem to learn what steps to
take to increase my level! I know of the people who have specific
period correct skills such as needlework, etc and those who reguarly
attend specific classes, but find most of the options I have for
reaching those resources of knowlege in person are separate from me by
great divides, distance and finances especially. It is with hope that
in joining this list, and now with keen interest in the "wardrobe"
subscription that was mentioned in earlier posts today that being in
communication with such groups is a good start, though it isn't certain
how effective joining any amount of lists will be in turning my
somewhat sedentary costuming hobby into something very sucessful and
active. What does it take? How many hours about do those of you who are
consider yourselves serious put into your work. Does using reproduced
original patterns, altered modern period patterns, and self drafted
patterns to construct a garment in period with period styling of
fabrics, trims, etc. that is correct for fit, style, etc, count in
calling oneself a costumer? When I have the chance, I will post photos
of the work I have done and if it wouldn't be an inconvenience, I would
greatly appreciate any working feedback on what I have done thus far,
possibly on improvements or suggestions on what to try additionally. At
this point, resources limited, I am not incredibly focused on having
exactly authentic fabrics or trims, but am generally using the best I
can find that still contains a rather period looking feel. Meaning, the
material could be modern from Joann's and maybe not in material used in
1860 per se or possibly even an authentic colour, but is period looking
and nothing obviously out of time frame. Luckily, despite many
unsucessful google searches for period fabrics or reproduction fabrics,
today I stumbled onto a website for a small supply store that can only
be one that someone had told me about at a Civil War ball near
Gettysburg last year. I was searching for millinery wire and in
spotting the phone number curiously looked for the address as it was a
recognizable area code. They sell what I believe to be civil war era
fabrics for reenactors and other notions, I can't wait to trek out that
way and visit this summer. It is the other elements of costuming that
confuse me, such as where to learn what exact dyes were being used in
each era, aside from what colours were represented in current fashion
plates and the variations of skirt lengths and widths from year to
year. Surely at this point in reading the many facets of direction I am
in need of I seem like too much inexperience to be helped with one
answer but any advice would help. thank you so much for your time,
again:)
Justine.
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