Sunday, January 17, 2010

In which a blog is begun

I've been sewing almost my whole life; my mom tells stories of me sitting in her lap and "helping" her sew when I was two years old. My interest in historical costuming probably started with a porcelain doll I received sometime in my elementary years. I pretty much learned to sew by making dresses for this doll from fabric scraps I rescued from my mom's completed projects.

Many years and many projects later, I find that I want to become a proficient seamstress of historically accurate (or reasonably accurate) reproduction clothing. I've sewed for myself and for friends for Halloween and other events in the past, but never had the time or money to pursue this hobby to the extent that I wanted. I'm now out of college and have a decent income, and I've decided that I no longer need to wait for events as an excuse to make a dress. I'm sewing to learn how it's done, and to grow my skills.

I have several projects in mind that I've been wanting to do for a while:

A Victorian early bustle era gown
A Marie Antoinette-style 18th century gown
A pre-Elizabethan Tudor-style gown
A more historically-accurate version of several medevil styles

The plan is that each will be carefully researched and constructed starting with foundation garments. I'll also make an attempt when monetarily feasible to use period-correct fabrics.

I've been looking forward to sewing more for a long time. I've got a few more supplies to gather before I can get started properly, but in the meantime I may post some pictures and descriptions of past projects.