Costume Design

Posted in 1780s, 1790s, 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, Atelier, Book Reviews, Children's Fashions, Commissions, Corsets and Underthings, Costume Design, Exhibits, Symposiums, and Workshops, Extant garments, Fashion History, Historical Sewing, Millinery, Opportunities, Reproduction Fabrics, Research, WWI

New policies for 2016

Wow! We’ve had an amazing year! I feel like I say that at the end of every year, but 2015 really turned out to be one of our busiest of all time! I estimate over the course of the past…

Posted in 1850s, 1860s, Commissions, Costume Design

Gowns for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

2014 finished up with a flurry of busyness! �One of our last projects for the year were these two�American South dresses�for the Oregon Shakespeare festival! The blue striped gown on the left is made from our authentic replica cotton prints.…

Posted in 1800-1810, Commissions, Costume Design

Regency Era short stays

This month we completed 3 pairs of Regency Era short stays (c.1815) for the Pallas Theatre in Washington D.C. This one features delicate hand knit cotton lace This one blue satin accents And this one, pink linen. All of our…

Posted in 1800-1810, Commissions, Costume Design

Velvet Spencer Jacket

This regency era spencer jacket was made to be worn with a light blue silk gown. Both the gown and this jacket were custom designed for�The�Quotidian Theatre Company in Maryland. The gown is dark colonial blue cotton velveteen and fully…

Posted in 1800-1810, Commissions, Costume Design

Silk Regency Era gown

Just finished! This gorgeous light blue silk regency era gown for an actress with The�Quotidian Theatre Company in Maryland. This original design is based upon an earlier gown I made for a museum in Ohio. The gown is 100% silk…

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…

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…

Posted in Commissions, Costume Design

Highland vest and tartan

Here are some images of a fun little project I worked on for a client in California. This highland vest and sash are intended for an evening gala celebrating the premiere of Pixar’s new animated film�Brave. �� My client actually…

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.

New policies for 2016

Gowns for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Regency Era short stays

Velvet Spencer Jacket

Silk Regency Era gown

New historical patterns from Butterick

Boy’s marine corp uniform

Highland vest and tartan

Q&A: Getting started in "the business"

Teen Boy’s Rural Sack coat

Bustle era gown

Something old! Something New! A Year in Review + Changes for 2024

Museum gala gown