Lately I've been thinking about what I want to do re: costuming. Several weeks ago, when I went to the Saratoga Battlefield for the Artificer's Weekend, I decided that I really was going to start going to events. The next weekend was Defiance and Independence at Fort Ticonderoga, and I was all set to go ... but then I found out that there was an Iron Man competition thing going on that would make horrible traffic, and I thought about driving in my stays, and how the only member of the 62nd I knew wasn't going to be there, and the last few weekends had been really busy, so I didn't go. So I've spent the last few weekends chilling, because I push myself at work and can't handle being "on" on the weekend as well.
Me at Saratoga, after having shaped my hat - much better!
I tend to think that if I really wanted to do reenacting, I would be doing it. I have two groups to choose from locally, and I could go to events without one if I wanted (if not knowing anyone/being on my own weren't part of the problem), but in general I'm not sure if it's for me. There are issues with my kit that need fixing, and in general I feel like reenacting lends itself to a constant improvement, which is rewarding - but because fashion history research is part of my career, I don't want to box myself in and concentrate too much on one era.
The non-reenactor-costumer side of things seems to be more my cup of tea - not that I don't love trying to be as accurate and stitch-county as possible, but you get a wider range of eras and can focus on making an outfit you like rather than representing a class or occupation in specific. The trouble here is that I don't live near any places where costumers tend to congregate! There is a Victorian street-walk around Christmas time in Saratoga and I'd love to make a late 1830s outfit for it.* But for the most part, there aren't non-Revolutionary War events, and I don't have any local friends interested in creating our own.
I have no other relevant pictures, sorry.
Working at the Chapman has fired me up about sewing for research, but right now I'm rapidly approaching the end of my internship and don't yet have a new job lined up - at the same time, I owe $200 on my student loans each month and $100 to my father for my horrible car. I have a bit of a stash built up - a bundle of cotton for that Victorian street-walk outfit - but not all of the fabric I'd need to make anything, and I really do try to limit my spending.
I don't have anything profound to wrap this post up with. It's really just thinking out loud. I had thought that reenacting would give me what I want, but the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure.
* Speaking of which, I don't suppose anyone knows of a good source for a solid cotton twill or sateen? Sateen would be best because it's what I see a lot of in historical corsets and dress linings, but nowadays it seems like it only comes in a really light weight for sheeting that's not what I want at all.
