I like the reasoning for hoops! Also, this is a painting — walking in and sitting down in the positions required by the painting will be much easier in hoops. If we were wearing tons of petticoats, we’d need helpers to fouf out all those petticoats under the skirts.
It’s not serging that makes me wibble about interpretation vs. recreation, it’s the undies! Another corset, another hoop, another chemise and drawers, and probably white ones too, not black (which I’d use again). *sigh* I guess my spiderweb-print victorian corset won’t fly, but I could make a black one, because I’ve seen photos of black ones (and my dress is dark, yay). Hmm … what about the hoop? I have a basic black bridal hoop. Should I make a more period one?
I’ll do it all if that’s the group’s goal. But it just takes me for freakin’ ever. Unlike the rest of you, I will definitely need the full 2 years to finish this thing!
Also, I’m not wholly clear on how accurate the stitching has to be. Reading over the CC23 rules, it says ‘hand-sewing the whole outfit isn’t necessary,’ but also repeats that you must use period techniques. I don’t have a serger and hardly use zig-zag, so I wouldn’t do that anyway (heh, as if I ever finish seams!). But can I still sew on the machine, right? I’ll hem and trim by hand, but that’s all I’m good for.
I definitely want the perfect exterior. I keep saying I don’t like strict recreations, but this is the second group to convince me into recreations and for competition too!
Also, I’d be happy to hear people’s recommendations for where to get silk taffeta, preferably less than $15/yard. Any pattern recommendations for 1850s undergarments too. I like to start collecting materials and stuff as far in advance as possible, both for bugetary reasons and to give me more time to sew.