Comments on: 6 Traits of Accomplished Historical Costumers

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:59:04 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Lol quite a bit especially the description of how creativity flies together sometimes and how it does not at other times. Trim has often leapt off the shelf at me too. I have only done one historic costume and I just wasn’t getting the 1920s silhouette until I took my bra off!! Then voila!!

By: Zena Herbert

Zena Herbert — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:27:42 +0000

I think this list applies to creative 3-D artists everywhere, whatever their discipline. Over the past forty years I’ve earned my living making jewellery, ceramics, textile hangings, miniature embroidery, millinery and hand-painted silks, (not all at the same time.) Whatever, one needs quality from start to finish: quality of materials, of technique, of tools and that ultimate luxury, the time to respond to the medium and see what it is doing. Never mind ‘mastering’ the fabric, let it speak, get a dialogue going, ‘See’ in your mind what you are aiming for but be open to the changes the materials suggest.
I love your work and your dedication; I salute you.

By: Morgane

Morgane — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:28:50 +0000

They do lots of hand sewing! So many details just work best done by hand.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:34:36 +0000

In reply to Val LaBore. Accessories are so important. I keep working to make mine better.

By: Val LaBore

Val LaBore — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:19:50 +0000

I’m still a big fan of cottons as I like more variety of designs on my fabrics than are available in silks.
I’m still learning how to deal with my fitting problems (short sloped shoulders/short waist) but seems to improve in baby steps.
My focus the last couple years has been studying the accessories worn with the dresses so they look like *real* clothes. And doing more trimming when it fits the situation.
Val

By: Diane Ullman

Diane Ullman — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:45:35 +0000

* Avoid anachronisms as much as possible to help a dress make that leap from costume to clothing. Hide your watch. Sew a hidden pocket for your cel phone. Put on an extra petticoat.

* Don’t forget necessities like hats and gloves. Nothing destroys a movie faster in my estimation than to see the characters running around hatless and lacking the basic accessories of the period. No respectable 19th (or earlier) Century woman would leave the house bare-headed.

By: Laurel Hampton-Hunt

Laurel Hampton-Hunt — Thu, 07 May 2015 15:10:56 +0000

I agree completely with your list but would just expand item #1 to include quality trims as well. I have seen some lovely natural fiber dresses trimmed with synthetic lace which brought the overall look down a notch from what it could have been.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Thu, 07 May 2015 14:10:34 +0000

In reply to Holly Champion. Great additions to the list Holly!