Re: [h-cost] fiber arts and making vs buying clothes
Re the time period of store bought clothing etc., I think that the availability of items will be better dated by the long history of mail-order companies which begins in the last quarter of the 19th C, and some items were available before this. The effect of the Industrial Revolution on mainstream life in general is probably the starting point. Kathleen - Original Message - From: Dawn [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Historical Costume [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 10:11 AM Subject: Re: [h-cost] fiber arts and making vs buying clothes Carolyn Kayta Barrows wrote: When did off the rack clothes become THE WAY to go, as opposed to just being what people who couldn't afford to have clothes made for them wore? Probably as soon as they became plentiful and cheap. Store bought clothing and household goods became a sign of affluence after the Depression, and again after WW2. People hid quilts under Sears bedspreads and only wore flour sack underwear to school on days they didn't have to change for gym. The 60's and 70's hippie movement spawned re-interest in those old crafts, and by the 80's it was being called art. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] fiber arts and making vs buying clothes
Somehow I can't imagine most Goths, as I know them, sitting down doing anything as domesticated and constructive as making clothes. Making jewellery, possibly embellishing clothes, yes, but actual dressmaking? You can build up a pretty wide wardrobe by just buying things that are available in black, and while they might take a bit more searching out in smaller places, in Edinburgh there are plenty of shops where you can buy the crushed velvet dresses and other specialist items. Jean Lavolta Press [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote I'd agree with your definition, except that I associate the term fiber art with textile arts other than sewing. Whereas, to me wearable art covers sewing, weaving, spinning, knitting, crochet, embroidery, the whole spectrum. Oh, except a hanging or sculpture is fiber art, but not wearable. As for Goths, who I supect may be a rather large DIY crowd, I've never been tempted to become one because, as far as I can tell from the historic costumers I know who are also Goths, they hang out in clubs and listen to modern music. I can't stand modern music. Also, I look awful in black. But some of the ideas on the net I've seen are really creative. The Gothic Lolitas seem far too sweet and innocent to be real Goths though. While, as far as I know, none of my passing Goth acquaintances actually drink blood, they seem pretty sophisticated. Fran Lavolta Press http://www.lavoltapress What I call wearable art and what Michael's craft stores call wearable art are rather different. They call things like craft-decorated t-shirts by that name, when they're selling supplies for making same. I have a little more highbrow definition, and would go with the more avant guarde and arty look. Upscale art and wine festivals have more what I would call wearable art. I also call it fiber art, which the craft stores pretty much don't. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume -- Jean Waddie ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] 1968 SCA views of medieval clothing
It's always seemed to me that the SCA was there first, as an ongoing amateur reenactment organization. At least first in the US. Do you know what influence it's had on the formation of other reenactment groups, such as American Civil War, and American Revolution? I believe the Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia was formed in 1966 to reenact the battle of Hastings (1066). They began at the university of Maryland and eventually they and the SCA became acquainted. Markland has been going as a separate organization since it began. Likewise, American Civil War reenactment probably got popular for its centennial, in the 1960s. I had heard that veterans and enthusiasts got together before then. There are some Revolutionary War uniforms in collections that were made later for commemorations, perhaps 1876? While not necessarily reenactments, people were dressing up. I think the SCA influenced dressing up (and costume competitions) at science fiction and fantasy conventions, and also Live Action Role Playing (LARP). But the reenactment of American events grew on their own. Many of these events are held on or near property where the actual events occurred, and there is usually 21stC public visiting. This encouraged the idea of events as educational. Most SCA events are private - halls, parks and school property is rented for their use. American Revolution or Civil War groups will have private events, and generally each unit will have a meeting or party once or twice a year. My impression is that American Revolution or Civil War reenactment came to the west coast later, so the SCA was first in that area. But in the east it was already going on. -Carol ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] 1968 SCA views of medieval clothing
Fran wrote, It's interesting that these also started in that mid-1960s period, whether there was any influence from the SCA or not. A sign of the times, then - the beginning of more activity in hobbies that are intense and not mainstream, yet they gained a good number of participants. True, but I was talking about the modern reenactment movement rather than, say, Victorian costume balls. I see the battle reenactments as being influenced by those, however, more than they were by the SCA. Most SCA events are private - halls, parks and school property is rented for their use. I wouldn't quite call that private . . . not like, say, a Victorian costume ball, or a modern party, where only friends are invited. I'd call it organizational. Anyone can join the SCA as far as I know. It used to be possible to attend events without being a member, but I don't know if that's still true. Private in the sense that everyone there is in costume as a participant. While people don't need to pay their dues to the SCA in order to attend, a requirement is that they wear an attempt at period costume. Many battle reenactments have spectators/visitors who are not costumed participants, and I think of those as public. With vintage dances, the ones I know of are advertised - anyone may attend. Often they are costume admired but not required, and some dancers will attend in 21stC suit and tie or dress. Some dance enthusiasts will throw a party that is truly private, as you describe, but then I don't think it would be considered reenactment at that point. I'm not sure of your meaning of Victorian costume balls - is it those held in the 19th century, or vintage dances now? -Carol ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] 1968 SCA views of medieval clothing
Those held in the 19th century, which I see as the ancestors of some of today's reenactments. Many were truly private invitation-only events. A few people throw private at-home Victorian or other costumed dances today, particularly for things like theme weddings (another spin-off of reenactment IMO). But usually such events are public, buy-a-ticket, because they usually require renting a largish space. And I agree, people are often allowed to wear modern evening dress, although for some the attempt at a period costume is stipulated. Fran Lavolta Press http://www.lavoltapress.com I'm not sure of your meaning of Victorian costume balls - is it those held in the 19th century, or vintage dances now? -Carol ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] Muslin at JoAnn Fabrics (not)
Lynn Downward wrote: At any rate, if you want good-quality muslin from JoAnn's go NOW. Or find a new supplier. I was really disappointed because I love the 200 count bleached muslin I have bought there before. And for all I know, this is old news to most people. Well, I confirmed Lynn's news today while shopping. One of my local stores now has the Joann's brand muslin in, and it is indeed more coarse (to my fingers, anyway) than the Roc-Lon brand they've been carrying. I noticed it is made by Springs. I've got mixed feelings about Springs, some of their quilt cotton is fine, but I've also returned some of their 100% cotton fabric which failed a burn test. I was fortunate enough to get 3 bolts of Roc-Lon at the 50% off sale that runs through Monday. I don't expect to see it at Joann's again. I'm tempted to write and tell them I think the new muslin is inferior in quality. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Subject: Re: [h-cost] fiber arts and making vs buying clothes
Never was a goth myself, but had lots of goth friends (and still have a few!). Most of them wouldn't be caught dead making their own clothes - adapting maybe, but not actually making. There was a healthy band of good cheap 'alternative' clothing shops in Newcastle and the surrounding area, and a few in Leeds, near where I went to college. That said I always made my own clothes - and occasionally bits for friends - largely cos I couldn't afford to buy new clothes. Adapting stuff from charity shops was always popular though! ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] I don't know art but I know what I like
Sorry for mis-snip. -Original Message- Then when colored wire became available you got artistic patterns with the chainmail bikini, sans the fur but lined. (Snip) Also, twenty years ago I would see some mail shirts with brass rings used for borders and sometimes inserted as designs. I'm not sure if that's historic or simply something people do because the structure lends itself to certain designs. De: There was some wire that had a solid color coating like reds, blues and greens. I know that there is such a thing as metal blackening so it is possible for black chainmail. In the 1500s there was accent on the armour with either brass or gold, don't know which, may be both. Renaissance Faires also would have a booth selling chainmail/chain headdresses. They range in size from cauls to long veils, a mix of chain mail, looped chains and jewels. Old techniques, old shapes (veils), but the product is modern. De:I always believed they stem from the Edwardian view of the Middle Ages and Camelot. But mostly I have seen the chainmail cauls in Erte's drawings. The only time I've seen one worn outside a historic (Renfair/SCA/LARP) context was that Anne Rice wore one during a television view. -Carol De: I've seen them in plays and Halloween and one Goth. She had white blond hair and the chainmail was black with red crystals. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] 1968 SCA views of medieval clothing
- Original Message - From: Carol Kocian [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Historical Costume [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 12:13 PM Subject: Re: [h-cost] 1968 SCA views of medieval clothing Likewise, American Civil War reenactment probably got popular for its centennial, in the 1960s. I had heard that veterans and enthusiasts got together before then. There are some Revolutionary War uniforms in collections that were made later for commemorations, perhaps 1876? While not necessarily reenactments, people were dressing up. My very first encounter with any kind of costuming (other than Halloween) was when South Lyon Michigan celebrated its Centennial in 1973--so I would have been 9 years old. There was a big celebration, and everyone dressed up. My mom sewed prairie dresses and sunbonnets for herself and we three girls, and I'm sure she made something for my dad, but the only thing I remember is that he grew a magnificent beard for the best beard contest and then shaved it off two weeks prior to the contest because it itched! I wish I still had that sunbonnet, I loved it. I was very into the Little House books at the time, so it was really neat to have an outfit like Laura's! I still have, somewhere, a pattern put out by one of the Big 3 for the Bicentennial--for a two-piece dress with a zipper! Ack! Dianne ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] Early Reenactments
What did they do for ancient Roman reenactment in the 17th century? Fran Glenda Robinson wrote: I've seen references to 17th century ancient Roman /16th century/fantasy reenactments. The Little Castle at Bolsover was designed for these sorts of parties. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
