Maggie May Clothing- Fine Historical Fashion - Exquisite, high quality, historical fashion that tells the story of those who came before us.
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Children’s Fashions

Just children’s historical fashions

Posted in 1850s, 1860s, Children's Fashions, Commissions

Infant boy’s gown

We recently completed a mid 19th century gown for an infant boy. People often mistakingly say, “boys wore dresses” during this period. That is incorrect. Both boys and girls did wear gowns during infancy (and there was no gender discrimination…

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Posted in 1830s, 1840s, Children's Fashions, Commissions

1830s era Children’s clothing

One of our first commissions of the year was for Brazos State Historic Park in Texas. They are working on an 1830s era project. They commissioned the following pieces: Two girl’s homespun dresses And a boy’s linen shirt, cravat, and…

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Posted in 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, Children's Fashions, Costume Design, Historical Sewing, Research

New historical patterns from Butterick

Butterick has released some gorgeous (and pretty darn authentic) new patterns by Nancy Farris-Thee this season! While Simplicity seems to have had the upper hand on market for the past few years, it looks like Butterick might be giving them…

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Posted in 1780s, 1800-1810, 1820s, Children's Fashions

A Pair of Boy’s wool knickers

These sweet little knickers are made of 100% wool with solid wood buttons. Aren’t they just adorable? Makes me wish I had a little boy too!

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Posted in 1850s, 1860s, Children's Fashions, Extant garments, Fashion History, Historical Sewing, Research

Mid 19th century short sleeves- not just for girls!

Wow! Check out this image from the Museum of the Confederacy. Notice the wife is wearing short sleeves! This ambrotype challenges the commonly held myth that only young and unmarried girls wore short sleeves during the mid 19th century! Read…

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Posted in Children's Fashions, Costume Design

Boy’s marine corp uniform

Just in time for the Memorial Day holiday! I delivered this little boy’s size 6 Marine Corp uniform to a local gal. She is getting married in June to a newly enlisted Marine and this outfit is for their ring…

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Posted in 1780s, 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, Children's Fashions

Boy’s regency suit

Here are a few images of a boy’s Regency Era (1790-1820) suit recently made for a family attending an historical event. This suit is also appropriate for the Romantic era (1820-1850) and is a modified version of our boy’s skeleton suit.…

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Posted in 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, Children's Fashions, Commissions

Girl’s 19th century rural dresses

Wow! What a wonderul year this has been thus far! We’ve been busy sewing! sewing! sewing! and to date have completed over 125 garments just in the past three months! As a result, I have been a little behind on…

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Hi! I’m Susan!

I am the lead designer and founder of Maggie May Clothing! Since childhood, I have been fascinated with folklife, history, and the “old ways of doing things.” When I was six years, my mother, Maggie May, made me my first historical costume (a Holly Hobby calico dress with matching sunbonnet)! As I grew older, I realized by donning the clothing of the past, I could obtain a deeper understanding of those who came before us. This fascination has followed me through life. I am now a formally trained historian and artist. I rely on my understanding of the past coupled with creative problem solving skills to design, drape, and create historical garments. When I am not working in my studio, I am tending my 12 acre hobby farm, playing dress up with my own children, or kayaking in the mountains.

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Queen Victoria’s 200th Birthday Tea

WWI Era nurses uniform

Boy’s frock

Girl’s 1830s-1840s dresses

The Tale of the Cursed Crinoline

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Frances “Fannie” Wright was an intelligent and Frances “Fannie” Wright was an intelligent and outspoken early 19th century activist who dreamed of a society where ALL people could live and work together harmoniously regardless of race, gender, or class. Inspired by Robert Owen and his New Harmony Community and befriended by Thomas Jefferson, Wright began her own Utopian society right here in Tennessee. While Nashoba never gained ground, her “radical” ideas of equality, freedom, and feminism laid the foundation for generations to come. March is National Women’s History Month and we will be celebrating in fine style! Join us all month long as we meet a variety of ladies whose names deserve to be known! You can read more about Fannie, her Turkish trousers, and her Utopian Society on our Website under Calico Ball- Vignettes. Links in Bio. #womenshistorymonth #girlpower #scottishwomen #freethinker #maggiemayfashions #boldwomen #history #historyiscool #changemakers
A little snippet of encouragement for the new year A little snippet of encouragement for the new year. I keep these little notes hung about the walls in my studio. Sometimes we just need a reminder it’s OK NOT to be perfect. #kindness #bekindtoyourself #perfectionist #antiperfection #perspective #sewingstudio #maggiemayfashions #wordstoliveby #fashiondesigner
Calico Balls (often called Grand Calico Balls) ori Calico Balls (often called Grand Calico Balls) originated in the mid 19th century and served as benevolent social gatherings. Ladies and gentlemen of middle and upper middle class would forego their fancy silks and satins for the evening and instead don much simpler gowns and ties made from humble cotton calico. Afterwards, calico ballgowns were donated to local charities. Happy New Year my friends! Here’s to grand new things to come! #calicoball #calico #historylovers #historicallyinspired #historicalliving #maggiemayfashions #2021
And that’s a wrap my friends! If ANY year deserv And that’s a wrap my friends! If ANY year deserves a weird and wacky Victorian Christmas greeting- it’s 2020! A huge thank you to EVERYONE who supported us this year! It has been an amazing one thanks to all of you! We are eternally grateful! Here’s to a bright and hopeful 2021! See you in January! Stay well! #happyholidays2020 #grateful #maggiemayfashions #weirdvictorians
Making a list and checking it twice. Lining up a f Making a list and checking it twice. Lining up a few projects from the “must make” sketch book in anticipation of the coming of winter. Is it bizarre to plan a summer ensemble? Maybe. But this gorgeous ultra smooth weave linen is just so inspiring. #whatareyousewing #fashionsketchbook #maggiemayfashions #downtime #historicalcostume #regencyfashion
November is Native American Heritage Month! Highli November is Native American Heritage Month! Highlighting this beautiful #cherokee hunting frock c. 1820 housed in the collection of the #tnstatemuseum in Nashville. Dreaming about the day when designated history months will be no more because it will mean we have finally recognized and included the contributions and histories of ALL regardless of race, religion, gender, or place of origin! #everyoneshistory #inclusivity #youmatter #calicoball #maggiemayfashions #realhistory #tennesseehistory
Need hats? We have you covered! There’s somethin Need hats? We have you covered! There’s something exciting about an unfinished straw base. So. Many. Possibilities. Now available in our Millinery catalog. Links in bio! Can’t wait to see what you make! #diy #diymillinery #historicalcostuming #historicalclothing #maggiemayfashions #strawhats #theatercostumes #millinerysupplies
Our #1830sdress in action on stage at the Det Ny T Our #1830sdress in action on stage at the Det Ny Teater in Copenhagen, Denmark. #livetheater #oliver #oliverthemusical #repost #maggiemayfashions #1830sfashion #1840sfashion #historicalcostume
Autumn in Tennessee! #fallcolors #echoesofthepast Autumn in Tennessee! #fallcolors #echoesofthepast #maggiemayfashions #calicoball #1850shomeplace #landbetweenthelakes #livinghistoryfarms

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