Creating Historic Clothing

My opinion on creating historic clothing can be summed up in the famous Crowley quote: "Do what they willst." And now all the tread counters are rioting. Calm down, I'm not giving people a blank check for historic anachronism just because they think it looks cool.

My point is that different people make clothing for different reasons, so let them do it. I make clothing for living history so I try to keep everything as would have been done in the period. For me sewing the garments os just as much part of the history as wearing them, so I use period construction methods too. (I also don't know how to use a sewing machine, but that's beside the point.)

Just because I'm doing things that way doesn't mean that everyone else is required too. There are plenty out there making clothing for recreational purposes and do not need or want the level of accuracy that I strive for. I do ask one thing though, please do not present obvious inaccuracy as anything other than a costume. You know what I'm talking about: elastic, zippers, Halloween patterns, polyester, etc. Costumes have a time and place and living history is not one of them.

Side note: If you are into historic clothing, but can "only find" costume quality pattens or material, you're not fooling anyone. Stop being lazy and use thr Google to up your game. There are plenty of resources I can recommend for advise in plain easy language.

Also, please stop showing up to events in obviously anachronistic clothing. I understand that dressing up is enjoyable, but it hurts the public's perception of LH and we spend more time explaining validating our own attire than immersing the public in history.

Ok rant over, back on topic.

Don't let people shame you on machine stitching parts of your clothing that can't be seen. If someone is close enough to visually confirm your hidden stitches are machine sewn, they better be buying you dinner first :-)

You put a lot of time and money into your clothes so do what you feel comfortable with (and have time to do). At the end of the day, you will be your own biggest critic. I know I am, he says as he's about to rip out 20 button holes and resew a them.

Last but not least, don't be afraid to do something outside the norm if it speaks to you, but document, document, document. This is how we learn and grow as LHs.