Comments on: Why You Can’t Be 100% Historically Accurate

By: Perfectionism in Historical Costuming – Historical Sewing

Perfectionism in Historical Costuming – Historical Sewing — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 23:32:21 +0000

[…] people to sew and make things! To create that pretty dress. To be inspired. Darn it all if it’s not historically accurate! That’s not the path I’m on. Life is too […]

By: Podcast 004: Getting Started in Historical Costuming – Historical Sewing

Podcast 004: Getting Started in Historical Costuming – Historical Sewing — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 22:37:35 +0000

[…] –You Can’t Be 100% Historically Accurate blog post […]

By: The Biggest Mistake Costumers Make – Historical Sewing

The Biggest Mistake Costumers Make – Historical Sewing — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 01:48:21 +0000

[…] you’re familiar with my article about you can’t be 100% accurate – it’s true: we will always fail as historical costumers because we weren’t there […]

By: Sierra Marie

Sierra Marie — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 18:08:16 +0000

Thank you for writing this! I work at Rock Ledge Ranch and Colorado Springs and we try pretty hard to make people feel like they are stepping into the past. sadly you’re right, we can’t always be 100% correct. We still have smoke alarms on the ceilings. Many of the older interpreters keep their phones inside hollow books that’s they carry around just incase theres an emergency. Lol.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:46:29 +0000

In reply to Georgie Castilla. What a great quote! Thanks for sharing that. And I agree that completely that it's OUR art, made today as we live in our current society.

By: Georgie Castilla

Georgie Castilla — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:07:50 +0000

This is absolutely wonderful, Jennifer! It made me think of a masterclass I took while in grad school, taught by Academy Award winner Gabriella Pescucci. When asked about historical accuracy in movies, she gave us this beautiful reply that “there is no such thing as historical accuracy in period movies. You can certainly try, but you will always have to fight acting blocking needs, camera filters, color rendering, opposing weather conditions, and the director’s vision, aesthetic and interpretation. No, your movie is not supposed to be a museum exhibition. It’s all about studying the silhouette, taking inspiration from historical garments and translating them into fiction; a dramatization of the real thing.
Your mission as a Costume Designer is to tell the characters’ story through fabric. Thus never be afraid of making your own art. Have fun with it. Have your way with it. Be proud of it.”
I know re-enactment is a different world, but I think it applies when you say we are still part of TODAY, so TODAY will always find a way to get a bit in the way 🙂

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:53:14 +0000

A lovely reminder. Thank you for reposting Jen!

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 06:22:20 +0000

In reply to Ellie May.

Oh, how I get what you’re saying, Ellie May!
I do believe our interests change as we grow and learn about our world. Doesn’t mean we still don’t love what we did before, but new things have captured our attention. Sometimes we simply need a break from it. A recent example was in the first few months after my daughter was born (she’s not quite 2). I had absolutely NO desire to research, to study, and certainly no energy or thoughts to put towards any sort of historical costume project. Now, I know a huge part of that is simply part of taking care of a newborn. But I was a bit worried if I’d ever get excited about sewing again. And I make my living teaching sewing! So now, over a year and a half later I’ve got so many ideas again but am stuck without the time to make them happen as fast as I’d like. It’s the give and take, the peaks and valleys of life.

It is true that we all experience burnout on costuming (or whatever craft we call our passion). We need a break from it. It’s tiring to think about. It’s draining. But we hate experiencing that because we TRULY do love historical sewing. Yet it’s ok to step back, put it away and focus on other areas of our life. Each season is different. When we come back to the sewing our perspective has changed. Doesn’t mean we’ve lost our love of it… our view has simply changed. It’s part of the human experience.

I say, let the guilt go and focus on THIS season and what’s around you. Don’t push so hard to find the joy. You won’t lose your creativity. But it will change. YOU change. And one day, you’ll find the inspiration to pick up the project again. Where purchasing a new fabric sparks joy. That day you decide to open your Pinterest costume boards again and a spark runs through your spirit and gives you a smile. It might be next month. It might not be for a few years. But remember, you haven’t lost your creativity. Focus it on other things right now. Inspiration will come back to you in time.

Cheers! <3