I never know what to say in these introductory posts, so I'll just dive in. My name is Sue, I'm 40, and I'm just now getting around to learning how to sew. It's self defense, really. I'm a great big history geek who volunteers as an assistant curator at the local natural & cultural history museum. As much as I love collecting vintage clothing, I can't afford the *really* high quality pieces, and I haven't been all that impressed with a lot of what's available commercially in terms of reproduction clothing: too many shortcuts in construction, wrong fabric, plastic buttons, etc etc. Figured the best way to get truly accurate reproduction clothing was to make it myself.
It's daunting, as I really am starting with zero experience. I also have fibromyalgia, which means I can't sit upright at a sewing machine for very long without putting myself in a world of hurt. I've started with the Natural Form combination undies, and I'm taking them very s-l-o-w-l-y, just doing a little at a time. Figure that's a good place to start, get used to working with a sewing machine and all. At this rate, it'll probably be Fall by the time I'm done with the things, but hey. I'm in no rush. *g*
One other thing. We have a dress in our textile collection at work that I'm trying to date. It has no provenience whatsoever, just the name of the person who donated it back in the 1950s. I *think* it may be an Artistic Movement tea gown, but I'm not sure. Is there someplace I can post pictures so y'all can maybe take a gander at it, & tell me what you think? I'd really like to be able to make label copy for it that says more than "Late Victorian Tea Gown." *wry grin*
