[Sca-cooks] Things to BUY at Pennsic

[Bronwynmgn at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/10/2004 4:35:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
auntie_samrah at yahoo.com writes:

<<Got to jump in here, guys.  Not to be poopy, and I know I have not been 
playing this game as long as many of you (19 yrs. this Sept.), but I remember a 
time when most people made most, if not all, of their own garb.  Perhaps we 
have all gotten a bit spoiled and should be encouraging each other to get back to 
those sewing machines....  There is something to be said for setting a good 
example for the really new folks.>>

I'm the chatelaine for my local group.  Most of the new folks I've 
encountered recently have absolutely no sewing experience unless it was making a gym bag 
in a class in middle school.  Most of them are convinced they can't sew, or 
not interested in learning.  We do insist that they try to make one simple 
tunic or gown on their own, with our direct assistance at each step (partly to 
teach them rectangular construction, so they know what it looks like).  Most of 
them, from that point, decide that they would prefer to purchase ready-made 
clothing.  I can't fault them for having tried and decided it's not for them.

As far as setting a good example, my husband and I do make all of our own 
clothes, including in his case handfinishing the seams, and in my case doing 
every stitch by hand.  We make it very clear that we do not expect anyone else to 
do this, and that completely machine-sewn is fine.

Then, once we've taught them what to look for, they go shopping and can't 
find it unless  they want 14th or 15th century.  That's wrong.

Brangwayna