In Which We Defy Time and Space

The last day has brought me much hilarity.

This image showed up in a familiar Facebook group.

There was much laughing.  This is not a photo of two women enjoying a sunny day in 1870.  This is me and my friend PinkSewing at a bustle picnic in Los Angeles around 2008!

Just in case there was any doubt, let me point out the car:

The hilarity did not end when I pointed out that this was my friend and I.  In fact, because of the glory of facebook commenters, only a few comments after mine in which I say this is me and my friend, people keep on going.  “How did they wear so much in the heat?”  “Feel sorry for the poor laundry maids.”

Hilarious.

But, it did not stop there!  We popped again, slightly brightened and yellowed, on a facebook page.  This time we were from the 1890s!

Wow. Did you know I have a time machine?  Obviously I’m holding out on you guys.

You know what’s even more amazing than an original 1870s/1890s/2008 image?  I have a very rare original image of a different view of the same two ladies.

I even have very rare original color film of one of the dresses!

And lest you think this is the first time this has happened, I’d like to introduce you to the original image of “1940s woman in a fur coat drinking a beer.”

Yes, this was me in the 1940s.  But excuse me, this is a ROOT BEER.  Come on, proper credit, people ;)

I also have appeared in school research papers as an 1910s woman.

I know I’m laughing up a storm and this *is* pretty hilarious.  But there’s three important lessons here.

  1. . Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.

  2. GIVE PROPER CREDIT. 

  3. If you like someone’s work, let them know!

I may be laughing, but our world is SO TINY these days.

Please.  Please. Please. If you use a picture from someone’s blog, Instagram, etc, quote your source.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen my images floating around Pinterest or Facebook or blogs without any credit whatsoever.  It’s always surprising to see your own face looking back at you!

Sometimes people say “You should be flattered.”  Don’t be mistaken,  I *AM* incredibly flattered that my photos and creations are liked!  Especially when I’m taken for an original image.  But if we aren’t credited or contacted, we could never know our work is respected.

An image passed along as historical fact when it’s modern interpretation can pass along misinformation.  I *love* when people think my work is so authentic it looks original!  But because I’m such a nerd it’s important to me that my modern images are not passed off as historical fact, no matter how flattered I am!

If you like what an artist does, tell them so.  Ask if you can share it.  At least give them credit and a link back.  Artists are notoriously hard on themselves, even if they come across as confident online.  A little recognition and encouragement goes a long way, and proper recognition helps distinguish a modern recreation from an authentic historical image.

Peace out friends.  I’m off to find my time machine so I can go shopping circa 1908.  Expect Instagram photos when I get back ;)

3 Comments on In Which We Defy Time and Space

  1. Serindyanë
    February 18, 2019 at 8:54 pm (5 years ago)

    I’m off today to go fabric shopping simultaneously in 1990 Japan and Ancient Greece. How about that? Lol.

    So true about checking sources and giving credit!

  2. Amir Mohtashemi
    March 6, 2019 at 1:35 am (5 years ago)

    Too bad. It’s kind of disappointing, How someone can steal & use your pics even without giving you credit.

  3. K.M.
    March 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm (5 years ago)

    This is very true. We are all too quick to trust the internet so easily these days…I absolutely love your costumes though!

    Your blog is such a blessing! I found it while reading a book about lace & was looking up the definition of a guimpe, lol. Your posts are inspiring & meaningful in many ways & I am so glad to have discovered them. Keep up the lovely work! :)

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