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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Historical Sewing

Tips and techniques on how to make historical clothing

Posted in 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, Historical Sewing, Inspired Fashion, Romantic, Victorian-Crinoline

New! Early 19th century Pelerine

We’ve added a new design to our custom catalog! New to our accessories catalog is an early 19th century pelerine. A pelerine, also known as a capelet, was a popular accessory beginning at the end of the Regency/Empire Era and…

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Posted in 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, Commissions, Historical Sewing, Romantic, Victorian-Crinoline

Past Patterns #017

We recently made this gown for a client who serves as a living historian in Nashville, Tennessee. For this gown, we used our favorite historical pattern company- Past Patterns! Past Patterns has been making authentic, reliable historical sewing patterns since…

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reproduction cotton print fabrics
Posted in Historical Sewing, Musings, Reproduction Fabrics

Let’s talk fabric! (cotton fabric!)

Hello all you lovelies! Over the years I have fielded many questions about our cotton prints and thought it might be worth doing a little blog post about. So here’s all the details you may (or may not) want to…

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Posted in Exhibits, Symposiums, and Workshops, Historical Sewing, Opportunities

Learning to Spin Wool (without saying bad words)

On a sunny Saturday in late winter, Fall Creek Falls State Park (est. 1944) out on the Cumberland Plateau hosted the first of what is to be a series of heritage craft workshops at the park’s Nature Center. Kicking off…

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Posted in 25th Anniversary, Atelier, Costume Design, Historical Sewing, Research

To HA or not to HA?

Lately, I’ve been tuning into quite a few costume designer’s blogs and podcasts regarding clothing and character development. When it comes to period pieces, there is no doubt costuming plays an extremely important part in how the story is presented…

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Posted in 1830s, 1840s, Atelier, Fashion History, Historical Sewing, Millinery

Nashville’s Collaborative Fashion Showcase

On Saturday, October 5, I packed up a few of my designs and headed up the road to Nashville, Tennessee for a Regional Collaborative Fashion Show. The show was organized by Hill and Hollow Farm and Fiber Farm, in conjunction…

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Posted in 1860s, 1870s, Corsets and Underthings, D.I.Y., Fashion History, Historical Sewing, Research

Choosing your 1860s Era Crinoline Size

When it comes to the crinolines of the 1860s, bigger is not always better. Contrary to popular belief, the crinolines worn by women of this period were not as wide as folklore (or Scarlett O’Hara) wants us to believe. While…

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Fashion History
Posted in Fashion History, Historical Sewing, Research

Fashion History: A note from the Author

I developed The Fashion History Pages in 2002 ago in response to a need for reputable online information regarding the history of Western fashion. These pages were initially designed for educators and students as a place where each could come to gain…

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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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What to wear?

A linen corded petticoat

Girl’s 1830s era dresses

Widow Corney from Oliver!

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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
Our end of season sale begins..... NOW! Save an ad Our end of season sale begins..... NOW! Save an additional 20% off our already reduced reproduction print fabric collection! Just enter the coupon code at checkout! Order early and make yourself (or someone special) something lovely this holiday! Links in bio. #diyholiday #justmakeit #sewing #historicalsewing #naturalfibers #maggiemayfashions #diysewing  #fabriclove
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
Textile artist Martha Berry embraced her #cherokee Textile artist Martha Berry embraced her #cherokee heritage late in life and has quickly become a leading Native American cultural preservationist. Her award winning #beadwork celebrates the traditional stories and motifs of the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, and Yuchi nations. Her work preserves and presents traditional textile designs prior to removal. You can find more images of her gorgeous textiles at berrybeadwork.com. #textilearts #celebrateartists #handsewing #marthaberry #traditionalcraft #maggiemayfashions #calicoball #culturalpreservation
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

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