How far do you take accuracy?[edited]

[cosmoblue]

How accurate are your period pieces? I was noticing how some people like Katherine (www.koshka-the-cat.com/index.html) even sew by hand. I cannot imagine ever finishing anything if I had to sew by hand I only occasionally sew hems and buttons by hand. Do most of you try to be super accurate or do you just go for the correct look?

[Mme de Beaufort]

I try to go for the correct look. If I were single with just a cat, I would have the time to hand-stitch costumes, but I am married with a full time job... so a machine will have to do. ::: LOL ::: Besides, with regency gowns, there is hardly any exposed stitching; so that works for me. As long as it's recognizable as regency, and the back is the way it's supposed to be (Dragonfly Formals, her bodice backs are WAY too long, they come down almost all the way. The back should be high, there should always be a nice gather on the skirts in back... I may try to use accurate fabrics, but I see a lot of people who don't, they use shiny synthetic fabrics, lots of polys and such... I always try to use natural fabrics that would have been used then.

[austenfan]

I agree about the back of the gown. The skirt should start very high, the back should only be about where your bra-strap ends.

[lyric]

New to all this still I'd like to chime in with where I am. As I am adopting this as my day-to-day dress (not play or costuming for me) I want comfort and an accurate look. Thus, I appreciate some of the stuff I read above about the back. I am insisting on period correct fabrics because they suit my needs. It's hot as all get out here and linen will do just fine.

So glad you all and this forum are here.

Cheerio!!

[katherine15]

Because I have never done anything except the SCA, I was curious about this...I have read some patterns are designed incorrectly as far as the backs and arms are concerned...do people really get uptight about that? In my other group, I would only use natural fibers and normally made copies of portraits or paintings to get the effect I wanted...and due to moving to an area that is not so saturated with people in that group, decided to do something different..muchas I want to look "period", I don't like dealing with snarky people...

[dawnluckham]

Historical accuracy will always have limitations. The fabrics are different, the thread is different; even if you attempted to hand stitch all your garments and strive for the most rigid of standards, you’re going to fall short of complete accuracy.

Most people shoot for the middle.

We hand stitch areas of a garment that will be seen. We machine sew what is hidden. We look for accurate details but if your shoes have hidden rubber soles no-one will know.

The level of accuracy you strive for is totally up to you. Do your research and make your decisions based on that. No one else has the right to “command” that everyone strives for their personal level of accuracy. Having said that: Many organizations have a minimum level that people agree to reach for. As long as everything is clear and up-front and as long as people are helpful and kind, that’s fine too.