In a message dated 4/24/2008 12:05:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
This could be really fun to poll the list. Lurkers come out, wherever you are! About how many costume/fashion related books or magazines do you own? Probably at least 200 to 300 books in our "personal reference library". This includes costume, art, history (with illustrations to use for costuming), my husband's heraldry and armor books. I was collecting needlepoint books before I found the SCA in 1978 and started costuming. It's enough to over-fill two bookshelves in the dining room. Much of the time, a couple of dozen live in tote bags and get taken to meetings to show newcomers. What was the first one you purchased? Where did you purchase it? I ordered "20,000 Years of Fashion" back in 1978-79 from one of those discount catalogs. My husband "came with" a 1948 First Priniting edition of "The Book of Costume" by Davenport (two-volume slipcase) that his parents had. That one doesn't leave the house! What was your most recent purchase? "The Tudor Tailor" and "The Medieval Tailor's Assistant" What do you think was the best deal that you have ever made when purchasing a publication? I used to help out one of the booksellers at Pennsic and she would give me a discount. I got Alcega that way - in hardback! That was well over 20 years ago. About how many period photographs do you own just for the costuming? What book or magazine is your most treasured...if your house was on fire, you would take it with you. My copy of Janet Arnold's "Patterns of Fashion 1560-1620" that she autographed after a lecture in Williamsburg, VA. I need to get a newer copy to actually use as this one is falling apart! What is the worse costume book that you own? I know Robin has a collection! I think I have quite a few on the list. At the time, we didn't know they were so bad! Do you have a room devoted to your collection? My dining room has not seen a formal meal in years. Between the sewing machines, sewing supplies, books, bins of fabric, and boxes of craft supplies from our days as Cub Scout leaders, it it full. When did you start collecting? My mom and I were getting craft magazines in the '70's. I still have some of those. I found a scrap book in the "Family History" closet that had fashion magazine clippings from the 1800's, so I guess it's in my blood! Do you consider your collection for business or pleasure? Personal costume research. I have helped with costumes for some Gilbert & Sullivan productions with our local theatre group, but Victorian not my main interest. Optional questions: How many sewing machines do you own? What types and age? My all-time favorite is my 1970 Singer Touch-and-Sew that my parents got for me when I was in College. It worked fine until about 12 years ago when our elderly cat decided it was too far to go to his box and the bobbin case rusted solid. A local repair-man actually got it working again and I continued to use it for several years, being sure to keep the bobbin area well-oiled. I have a Necci portable that I rarely use. About four years ago an elderly neighbor was planning to move into assisted living and sold me her Bernina 930. That's the one I use now. She even had a really nice cabinet to go with it. Some day, I'd like to have my grandmother's treadle machine and my mom's 1947 Singer. How many sewing patterns do you own? Too many. When I first started costuming, I would adapt modern patterns. I've got everything from Barbie-size patterns (nieces' Christmas projects) to the formals I made last summer for a convention. I'm over-run with the brown paper patterns that I make for garb. This has been fun! Cathy Raitt (SCA - Catherine de Bellefleur) **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
