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[attack_laurel]

Eeep.  over 700 people signed up to read?  I'm humbled.  And intimidated.  Hi, new people!  Welcome to the party!

I have a list of projects I'm still working on for Costume Con, and even on pain days (it seems silly to call them "sick days", since I'm not actually sick, just hurty) home from work, I don't really have much choice, but to sew.  So

Comments

[virginiadear]

I think of Victorian as being first so distinctively recognizable, and then so recognizably not-our-life-time modern or even our grandparents' lifetimes for a lot of us, it's very hard for some part of the modern mind *not* to shout silently, "Costume! Costume!"
And it seems one needs an interest in and an appreciation for historic clothing to be able to say, "Looks right, looks good, and avoids 'costumey' as if it were made from a Simplicity pattern."

[attack_laurel]

Fit is one of the biggest things - and not just around the waist, but the way the shoulders and the neck sit.

*blush* My coat is adapted from one of the more sophisticated "western style" coat patterns Simplicity makes, but it's not intended as a costume, but a riding coat. I changed it up and made it double-breasted, and it fits rather nicely. I'm under no illusion that I'd pass a discerning eye, though - I cheated far too much with the machine sewing.

[virginiadear]

For the years you're talking about, especially the 1880s blouse, home sewing machines were not rare. And as we are by then in the post-Industrial Revolution period, quite a lot was being done by machine---especially dressmaking

[attack_laurel]

:) No worries. I'll be posting pictures of everything after costume con.

[chargirlgenius]

So, are you going to be changing outfits throughout the day? Or are you just going Victorian the whole time?

[attack_laurel]

I have multiple changes of clothing. :) I'm there for three (two and a half) days, so I'm making the most of it.

[beard5]

I just saw today's Bunny comic and I thought you'd be amused.

[attack_laurel]

I saw that - funny. When I started my web site, if I googled "attack laurel", I got articles on Stan Laurel's death by heart attack.

[trystbat]

You're saying all this, & I know I'm going to see the outfit & it'll look better than 90% of the 'accurate' Victorian costumes I've ever seen. I'd bet money (or at least a cocktail) on it.

[attack_laurel]

You're on. Mmmmmm, drinks. :)

BTW, I was reading a book about style and the pleasure of objects, and the author mentioned your Gothic Martha Stewart site. I can't pull the name out of my brainmeats this second, but it was fun going "hey!" . :)

[barelyproper]

NO intimidation intended. :)

I find your site a good inspiration for my own projects. Hoping to start posting my own dress diaries soon, but I am still a little afraid to actually do it.

[attack_laurel]

Don't be afraid! One of the really great things about blogs and dress diaries is that you can show off your work with no pressure. I love dress diaries, and I rely on the intarwebs to really see what's out there - it wasn't until people really started putting stuff out that we could all see how huge the costuming/re-enactor community was. :)

And thank you for finding me an inspiration. :) I never think my stuff is that special, but then, I think no-one appreciates their own work, because they're too familiar with it. I bet your costuming is lovely.