Anyone sew?

[Julsey]

More specifically, is anyone into sewing historical costume? I have a feeling this post will have 102 views and no replies, but I just had to try!

[MzT]

I don't know how to sew at all...but didn't want to read this thread without responding :-)

How do you research the costumes for accuracy?

[normadenardo]

I am curious.. what kind of historical costume?

[Anakalia]

I sew!

I've done a few historical costumes in the past - been a while - but need more specifics to maybe help out.

[Julsey]

I don't know how to sew at all...but didn't want to read this thread without responding :-)

How do you research the costumes for accuracy?

There are patterns you can buy that are based on historically accurate dress (not talking Simplicity or Vogue, lol). 

[Julsey]

I am curious.. what kind of historical costume?

Am looking for a reproduction of a simple (and I say that loosely) 18th century colonial dress, such as a robe l'anglaise. 

[Julsey]

I sew!

I've done a few historical costumes in the past - been a while - but need more specifics to maybe help out.

Wow, Andee!  I was sure no one had here had ever done this!  You have restored my hope!<g>

 

Examples:

http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/millfarmgownarobepolonaisepattern.aspx

 

http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/jpryanrobealanglaise1760-1785pattern.aspx

 

[LeslieDean]

What for Jules?  Did the elders talk to you about dress? :>)  Looking for something more modest?!  ;>)

[Julsey]

Yes, and I can't think of anything more modest than something that has about 5 layers to it!  LOL!

[Anakalia]

Jules, what can I help you with?

For a few years I was one of the seamstresses helping at my daughter's school - costumes for Renaissance festival, choir, band, theatre and other arts departments. Learned a lot doing those! ;-) But I've sewn clothing since I was 7, and simpler stuff since I was 5. I'd sew all the time if I could. LOL

[Julsey]

Andee, did you see the links to the patterns?  Something like that.  Not that I can afford to do it right now.  No one wants to hire new graduate nurses with Associate's degrees around here.  I have been looking for 3 months.<sigh> 

 

Do you have any pics of the work you have done?  If so, pm me! 

[Anakalia]

Wow, Jules! There are pics of some items - somewhere, I'm sure. But not in any of the places I could get to quick enough. That daughter lives in another state now too so not easy for her to get any to me either. I did check the links...ambitious project! Depending upon fabrics used getting those done may take a really strong machine, and needle (we broke so many - lol). The layers, the gathers, the pleats all make for a very thick seam - some we just put together by hand using upholstery needles. The kids always loved the costumes but I'd often felt sorry for them wearing all that... and sure would not want to wear it myself! ;-)

 

So what are you planning?

 

These sort of costumes do take a lot of fabric, so there is quite an expense there - tho buying it already made is vastly more; no doubt due to the hours of labor too - but since you mentioned no one wanting to hire new graduate nurses with an Associates Degree I was wondering if you were thinking of making them for an income or something. I know several people who really love dressing in costume to attend those Renaissance Fairs around here; and I have done mending & repairs to their costumes; so I know there's some money in it - more than just everyday sewing might bring in. In larger areas it might keep a seamstress with enough work to equal a number of average full time jobs, but not here.

 

I'm sorry you haven't been able to find work in the area you trained for. Nursing seems to be in high demand - at least in Wisconsin.

[GrumpysWife]

I used to sew professionally and for family. Until I started to work full time, I made all of my clothes.

[Julsey]

My Mom tried to teach me.  Home ec class tried to teach me.  After tearing out the facing for the third time, I just threw my hands up in the air and gave up, lol.

[Anakalia]

Jules? If you gave up....then... how much sewing have you done since then? Are you planning on sewing one of these dresses/costumes all on your own? Neither of these are beginner level patterns, IMHO.

[Julsey]

I haven't done any sewing, thus, the topic title!  ;)

[Julsey]

Wow, Jules! There are pics of some items - somewhere, I'm sure. But not in any of the places I could get to quick enough. That daughter lives in another state now too so not easy for her to get any to me either. I did check the links...ambitious project! Depending upon fabrics used getting those done may take a really strong machine, and needle (we broke so many - lol). The layers, the gathers, the pleats all make for a very thick seam - some we just put together by hand using upholstery needles. The kids always loved the costumes but I'd often felt sorry for them wearing all that... and sure would not want to wear it myself! ;-)

 

So what are you planning?

 

These sort of costumes do take a lot of fabric, so there is quite an expense there - tho buying it already made is vastly more; no doubt due to the hours of labor too - but since you mentioned no one wanting to hire new graduate nurses with an Associates Degree I was wondering if you were thinking of making them for an income or something. I know several people who really love dressing in costume to attend those Renaissance Fairs around here; and I have done mending & repairs to their costumes; so I know there's some money in it - more than just everyday sewing might bring in. In larger areas it might keep a seamstress with enough work to equal a number of average full time jobs, but not here.

 

I'm sorry you haven't been able to find work in the area you trained for. Nursing seems to be in high demand - at least in Wisconsin.

Andee, another sister and I are dreaming about a trip to Williamsburg, and I thought it might be fun to go in costume.  I'll probably just give up and wear jeans, but I thought it might be fun!

 

No, no job yet.  I hear they would hire me just about anywhere but here.  Too many nursing schools, so facilities have their pick of graduates, and they all want BSNs.  I would move, but can't at the moment.   

[lavida]

My sister, my mom and I like to sew. Once a week we sew together with a few sisters at my mom´s place. I love when we all get to sew for conventions, memorials and weddings. We have a good time.

[ava]

Andee, another sister and I are dreaming about a trip to Williamsburg, and I thought it might be fun to go in costume.  I'll probably just give up and wear jeans, but I thought it might be fun!

 

No, no job yet.  I hear they would hire me just about anywhere but here.  Too many nursing schools, so facilities have their pick of graduates, and they all want BSNs.  I would move, but can't at the moment.   

 

Williamsburg is a neat place to visit, and yes, go in costume if you can!!!  

[Julsey]

Williamsburg is a neat place to visit, and yes, go in costume if you can!!!  

Ava, do you think there is a 'best time of year' to go?  Or is it pretty much crowded all year round?  I was thinking about going in autumn or spring, just not this autumn or spring, unfortunately.  ;-/  Have you been there many times??  What were your favourite things there?  I am all ears! 

[Toy Poodles]

There are some available on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/18th-Century-Colonial-/163129/i.html

It seems to me, if you don't have scrap materials laying around and either just starting to sew or getting back into it that it costs more to sew than to buy most of the time. 

Wishing you the best of times when you go!!

[Julsey]

There are some available on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/18th-Century-Colonial-/163129/i.html

It seems to me, if you don't have scrap materials laying around and either just starting to sew or getting back into it that it costs more to sew than to buy most of the time. 

Wishing you the best of times when you go!!

Thanks, Ava.  I had a look at Etsy, but apart from the Empire style gown, nothing is in my size. 

 

Now, don't forget my other question, i.e., would you say there is a best time of the year to go? 

[MzT]

I haven't been to Williamsburg in years...but we used to go all the time.

 

I would suggest going during any time of the year EXCEPT winter.  All other times of the year are pretty good weather wise.  Lots to see and fun (we went as a elementary school field trip in the fall).

[ava]

Ava, do you think there is a 'best time of year' to go?  Or is it pretty much crowded all year round?  I was thinking about going in autumn or spring, just not this autumn or spring, unfortunately.  ;-/  Have you been there many times??  What were your favourite things there?  I am all ears! 

 

 

I can't speak much about crowds.  I would think though that if you are going during the school year and you go on a weekday rather then weekend, crowds will be less.

 

I love Virginia in the Fall.  Mild temps, and fall foliage.  Spring is also very nice.  Summer, Virginia can get hot and muggy.  Winter, no.  So I would say Fall or Spring is best time to visit Virginia.

 

It's been quite a few years since I was there last, but I really enjoyed it.  I love history, and my dad's family is from Virginia and fought in Revolutionary War and CIvil War, so his family is very big into history.  In fact my GG Grandfather's house in Virginia is still standing and is on the State Historic Register.  I really enjoyed the Blacksmith at Williamsburg.  I was fascinated watching them demonstrate how they made things back then.  Lot of work went into it, and the tools and other stuff were top of the line.  There is alot to see though and it's all fascinating.  HIstoric Jamestown is out that way too if you have time, you can check that out.

[Julsey]

Thank you, Tammi and Ava! 

 

Ava, I made the mistake of getting into genealogy, and it is like an addiction.  I discovered that, on my Mom's side, I have so many ancestors in Virginia.  Now I feel as if I have to see it, as they lived their for such a long time.  My 4th and 5th great-grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War (one at Valley Forge and one at Yorktown), which has had the result of making that period of time come more alive for me (I have usually stayed in the medieval period, lol).  It's nice that you still have a family home standing.  I don't have enough records to know whether or not that is the case for us.

 

It will certainly be interesting to talk to these ones when they come back and compare it to what we think we know!  ;)