Everything you need to know about Maggie May Clothing in 60 seconds or less

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Hi all! All of this info is posted on my website in varying locations, but I thought it might be nice to provide a quick, concise read for those of you not yet familiar with our company. You can always find this info in more detail around our website, but here goes:

  1. We are a clothing design company. We specialize in historical fashion from the years 1790-1920 for women and children only. We do not make men’s clothing. Maggie May Clothing is a woman owned small business (that’s me- Susan Jarrett).
  2. We are experts in the field. I am the lead designer for Maggie May Clothing and I am a historical clothing specialist. Other terms used are dress historian and costume historian. I have University degrees in Western and American History with an emphasis in Textiles, a minor in Cultural Anthropology, and a Master’s Degree in Fine Art. I taught at University for 10 years. I believe we ALWAYS have more to learn.
  3. We sell fabric. Our fabric collection is curated from various market sources and is assessed for appropriate use in making historical fashion. We are slightly obsessed with cotton prints! Early on, our fabric collection was made available only for our custom design work. However, the COVID-19 pandemic increased our requests for cut yardage for DIY sewers. You stated a need and we listened. We are happy to share our fabrics with you!
  4. We work exclusively with nonprofits, other businesses, and government agencies. There is no tax assessed at checkout because we work exclusively with not for profit entities. All retail transactions should be conducted through our ETSY shop so appropriate taxes can be paid to your state.
  5. We have a team of seamstresses. We do NOT use overseas manufacturing nor do we import goods. Everything is locally sourced and made. We have part time stitchers with various skill levels who work from their homes.
  6. We base our designs on historical garments. This sounds like a no brainer, but it is important to clarify our garments are cut in period style based on extant garments. We are NOT using extant patterns or market patterns and we DO use modern construction techniques. Garments dating 1790-1855 use external hand finishing techniques with machine finished hems. Garments dating 1856-1920 use full machine finishing. All buttonholes are machine made.
  7. We are a slow fashion company. Seriously. Most clients wait up to 3 months or more for custom orders. Garments created in a rush are never up to our quality standards. Please take this into consideration when you place an order.
  8. We do not accept returns on custom made and custom order garments. Exchanges can be made for ready made or in stock items (including uncut fabric yardage) within 10 days of delivery date. We do not accept exchanges or returns on millinery.
  9. We teach workshops. June, July, and August are teaching and learning months. There is NO CUSTOM PRODUCTION during these months. If you place a custom order in June, July, or August, your order will NOT BEGIN PRODUCTION until September. Ready Made garments and fabric yardage ship year round.
  10. We are always pivoting. A company not interested in improving business practices or listening to feedback from clientele will be short lived. Maggie May Clothing has been making historical fashion since 1994 and we are always watching the market, listening, and brainstorming new ideas for our business. For us, there is nothing more mundane than repetition.

Learn more about Maggie May Clothing or check out our services, policies, and clientele

About Susan

My interest in historical costume began at a very early age. I knew by age 5 I wanted to be a designer. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to turn my passion into a full time business. You can find my costumes onstage in NYC, on the big screen, and in museums around the globe.