Notable Work

Film

2011Abraham Lincoln- Vampire HunterTim Burton ProductionsMilliner for Set Design
2011 Dreadful SorryNewBourne ProductionsCostume Design & Production
20101863 Raid on IndianaBoston ProductionsCostume Design & Historical Clothing Consultant
2009Gravity– music video/Vienna TengFat Monster FilmsCostume Design & Production
2006National Treasure 2: Book of SecretsWalt Disney PicturesWardrobe
Vienna Teng on location for Gravity. Gown by MMC. Image courtesy Fat Monster Films.

Television

2012The Frontier (pilot)NBC/SonyCostume Production
Behind the scenes of The Frontier. Sony. Dress by MMC. Image courtesy IMDB.

Theatre

2018The Hello GirlsProspect Theater Company- New York, New YorkCostume Design & Production
2015FingersmithThe Oregon Shakespeare Festival- Ashland, ORCostume Design & Production
2014She Stoops to ConquerPallas Theatre Collective- Arlington, VACostume Design & Production
The VeilQuotidian Theater Company- Betheseda, MDCostume Design & Production
As You Like ItShakespeare Theatre Company- Washington D.CCostume Design & Production
2011Oliver Twist Georgetown Theatre- Georgetown, KY Costume Design & Production
2009  Music of the NightChattanooga Symphony and Opera Gala- Chattanooga, TNCostume Design & Production
2005Oliver  Theatre Arts Workshop- Armonk, NYCostume Design & Production

Museums

2015Jean LaFitte NPS- New Orleans, LA
2014Nash Farm, Grapevine, TX
Muse Royal 22e Rgiment- Quebec, Canada
Hot Springs National Park- Hot Springs, AR
Wells Museum Community- UK
Oak Alley Plantation- Vacherie, LA
The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum- Casper, WY
City of Raleigh-Historic Resources and Museum Program- NC
2013Brazos State Historic Park- Austin, TX
Audubon State Historic Site- St. Francisville, LA
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site- Honolulu, HI
Tennessee State Museum- Nashville, TN
The National Civil War Naval Museum- Columbus, GA
2012Lowell Mill Historical Park- Lowell, MA
George Ranch Historical Park- Richmond, TX
Island Farm- Manteo, NC
Strawbery Banke Museum-Portsmouth, NH
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial- Put in Bay, OH
2011  Conner Prairie Interactive History Park- Fishers, IN
Island Farm- Manteo, NC
2010Powhatan Historic Park- Little Rock AR
Gore Place- Waltham, MA
Turner Exhibits- Lynnewood, WA
2009 California Trail National Interpretive Center- Elko, NV
Maryland Historical Society- Baltimore, MD
2008The Country Doctor Museum- Bailey, NC
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site- Washington, OR
Historic Brattonsville- York County, SC
2007Kentucky Historical Society- Frankfort, KY
The Pierce Manse- Concord, NH
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation- Brunswick, GA
2006Frazier International History Museum- Louisville, KY
Formations, Inc- Portland, OR
Lifeformations, Inc.- Bowling Green, OH
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park- Ft. Oglethorpe, GA

Lectures, Workshops, and Publications

2015Corncob Grannies and Buxom Babes: Undressing the Stereotype of 19th century Appalachian WomenALHFAM- Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville, TN
Workshop: Make your own 19th century Quilted PetticoatALHFAM- Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville, TN
2014Dressing Fannie Wright: Dress and Refom in the Nashoba CommunityThe Costume Society of America- Traveller’s Rest, Nashville, TN
Corncob Grannies and Buxom Babes: Undressing the Stereotype of 19th century Appalachian WomenMildred Haun Appalachian Studies Conference, Morristown, TN -and- Chattataqua Art Series- Chattanooga State Community College 
2001Call to Action- Women in the Military from 1861-1865Point Park-NPS, Lookout Mountain, TN
2000How the War Changed Women’s DressPoint Park-NPS, Lookout Mountain, TN
1999  Gender issues in the American Civil WarEast Tennessee Sate University
1997Women’s roles in the Antebellum SouthWest Alabama State University
1997Spies, Soldiers, and Smugglers- The secret lives of women during the American Civil WarChattanooga State Community College

Education

2005University of TennesseeMasters of Education- Visual Arts
1999University of TennesseeBachelors of Arts- History
1997International Studies- Visual Arts and DressParis, France & London, England

Professional Development

2017ALHFAMRegional Symposium- Presenter and Participant, Nashville, TN
2015ALHFAMRegional Symposium- Presenter and Participant, Huntsville, AL
2014Costume Society of AmericaRegional Symposium- Presenter and Participant, Nashville, TN
2013ALHFAMNational Symposium Fellowship recipient- Akron, OH
2012Costume Society of AmericaNational Symposium attendee- Atlanta, GA

Vignettes

Welcome to CalicoBall’s Historical Vignettes! Your place to find intriguing tidbits about the people, places, and events of the past. Snippets of history’s most fascinating folklore and facts can be found here!

Calico Ball historical collective

Love History? So do we! Join our tribe!

CalicoBall logo

CalicoBall is a grassroots effort to document, preserve, and present rural America’s diverse historical traditions. CalicoBall is an educational extension of Maggie May Clothing. ©2020 Maggie May Clothing.

Fashion & History

Scholarly research on all aspects of women and children’s clothing, culture, and textiles from the late 18th century through the early 20th century! Your place to find intriguing tidbits about the people, places, and events of the past. Find snippets of history’s most fascinating folklore and facts here!

CalicoBall is a free online historical collective featuring the best of our rural heritage- including vintage fashion, Southern folkways, old fashioned recipes, and historical vignettes. CalicoBall is a grassroots effort to document, preserve, and present rural America’s diverse historical and artistic traditions.

CalicoBall Mission

At CalicoBall, we celebrate the humble. We believe meaningful connection with the past is the root of authentic living. We honor our rural heritage by preserving the cultural story of those who came before us and we strive to provide a place of respite for our readers in this fast- paced, often hectic, modern world!

Love history? So do we! Join our Tribe!

CalicoBall is a grassroots effort to document, preserve, and present rural America’s diverse historical traditions. CalicoBall is an educational extension of Maggie May Clothing. ©2024 Maggie May Clothing.

2024-2025 Workshops | Seminars | Professional Services

Maker’s WorkShops (skill based learning)

The Art of Indigo- Natural Dye

Learn the history of indigo and how it became the most sought after color in the world. Learn to build a simple indigo vat followed by at least 4 different simple Japanese and African pattern making techniques. Workshop participants will leave with a variety of one of a kind naturally dyed indigo textiles. Suitable for ages 13 and up. No experience needed. Participant fee $95.00 plus mileage and materials. Best suited for an outdoor environment. Max capacity: 15. Approximately a 5-6 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

The Art of Indigo- Natural Dye FOR KIDS!

Learn everything you will in the adult workshop but tailored for kids ages 7-12! Learn the history of indigo and how it became the most sought after color in the world. Learn to build a simple indigo vat followed by at least 4 different simple Japanese and African pattern making techniques. Workshop participants will leave with a variety of one of a kind naturally dyed indigo textiles. Suitable for ages 7-12. No experience needed. Participant fee $65.00 plus mileage and materials. Best suited for an outdoor environment. Max capacity: 15. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse- Scrap Materials

Use those left over fabrics, trims, buttons, and findings and create one of a kind fashion accessories and home decor. Workshop participants will leave with at least one original/one of a kind fashion accessory. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Some hand sewing and/or machine sewing experience recommended. Participant fee $40.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 15. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Workshops topics include:

  • Covered button necklaces and earrings
  • Textile cuffs
  • Embellished brooches

Learn to Sew

An Introductory Machine Sewing Course. Course covers how to read commercial patterns, fabric layout (including waste reduction), sewing terminology, and basic machine stitches. Workshop participants will leave with at least one finished sewing project. Suitable for ages 13 and up. No experience needed. Machines not provided. Participant fee $125.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 10. Approximately a 5-6 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Coming up Roses

An introductory course in building a variety of fabric flowers, leaves, and berries for hats, brooches, blouses, and more. Workshop participants will leave with a variety of one of a kind fabric flowers t be applied at participant’s discretion. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Some hand sewing and/or machine sewing experience recommended. Participant fee $95.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: Approximately a 4 hour workshop. 15. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Vintage Inspired Jewelry

Use exclusive reproduction vintage inspired lead free and nickel free findings to create original, one of kind pieces of Jewelry. Workshop participants will leave with a variety of one of a kind jewelry pieces. Suitable for ages 16 and up. No experience needed. Participant fee $65.00 plus mileage and materials. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Max capacity: 20. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Upcycled Fashion

Take old, unwanted, or outdated garments and turn them into something new! Workshop participants will leave with a one of a kind up cycled garment of choice. Suitable for ages 16 and up. Some hand sewing and/or machine sewing experience recommended. Participant fee $85.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 15. Approximately a 5-6 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Trim a Bonnet

Use our exclusive pre made straw bonnet bases as the starting point for your own one of kind trimmed hat! Workshop participants will leave with one trimmed straw hat. Suitable for ages 12 and up. No experience needed. Combine with our Coming Up Flowers workshop for a full day of fun! Participant fee $105.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 20. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

In a Pinch Pattern Grading

Learn a simple and fast flat patterning technique to grade your commercial clothing pattern up or down 2-3 sizes without any special tools or formulations. Workshop participants will leave with a set of graded patterns. Professional Learning experience suitable for ages 16+ with mid level sewing experience. Experience using commercial sewing patterns required. Participant fee $125.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 20. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Find your Perfect Fit

Learn to alter those commercial patterns to fit your own, unique body proportions! Have you ever been frustrated after going to all the hard work to make yourself a garments only to find it doesn’t fit properly or is uncomfortable? The secret is making adjustments to the flat pattern. Learn some simple adjustment techniques to correct common pattern problems and get the fit you need! Workshop participants will leave with a set of altered patterns. Professional Learning experience suitable for ages 16+ with mid level sewing experience. Participant fee $125.00 plus mileage and materials. Max capacity: 20. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Aging and Distressing

Ever wonder how those newly constructed garments look so Old? It’s called aging and distressing and it’s own department separate from the costume shop. Learn important aging and distressing techniques using all natural materials to give your garment that “vintage” and “well worn” look. Can be applied to all cloth garments including hats. Workshop participants will leave with at least one one of a kind aged and distressed garment of choice. Professional Learning experience suitable for ages 16+ with mid level sewing experience. Participant fee $125.00 plus mileage and materials. Best suited for an outdoor environment. Max capacity: 15. Approximately a 4 hour workshop. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Seminars (Knowledge based Learning)

Designer Showcase

Curious about what it means to be a historic fashion designer? Wonder what is involved in recreating clothing from the past? In this 30 minute presentation with Q&A to follow, you will learn more about what we do here at Maggie May Clothing and get up close and personal with some of our designs. Mileage only. All ages. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

The Business of Making Clothes

Crash course on how to start your own historical clothing business. Topics include marketing, networking, freelancing, project management, labor and production, and audience Q&A. Perfect for panels or individual discussions. At Maggie May Clothing, we have 30+ years of experience in the film, television, theater, and museum exhibit fields. We tend to use unconventional methods to get the job done. Learn from our mistakes as well as our successes as you look to future with your own historical clothing company! All ages. Fee $150.00 plus mileage. Up to 2 hours. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Luncheon With The Past

This 30-45 minute presentation will bring a fresh new perspective on historical fashion. Themes include beauty, fashion throughout the decades, shaping the body- corsets and other unmentionables, and fashion etiquette. Digital sideshow format makes this a versatile experience. All Ages. Fee $150.00 plus mileage. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Luncheon with the Past Topics include:

  • Southern Appalachian Style: 19th century textiles and clothing
  • What would Jane wear? Fashion in Georgian Era England
  • Victoria’s Closet: Fashions of the Victorian Era
  • Invited to Tea: Fashions of the Edwardian Era
  • Rising Hemlines: WWI and the effects on Women’s fashion
  • Fashioning Rugby: A Victorian packing list for Utopia
  • Women and War (WWI series): The Hello Girls
  • Women and War (WWI series): The Alice Network
  • Women and War (WWI series): The Women’s Land Army of Great Britain and America
  • Spies, Smugglers, and Soldiers (Civil War Series): Unconventional Women in an unconventional time
  • The History of Scouting in America (1910-1945): The Boy Scouts of America and The Girl Scouts of America

Professional Services

Consulting and Design

Working on a project? Need a Historical Clothing Design Specialist? Here at Maggie May Clothing, we can help! Whether you are an individual, a designer, or a large scale production house, our freelance consulting and design services can be tailored to fit your specific needs.
Hourly rate. Travel fees may apply. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

Sourcing

If it relates to historical fashion, we can find it! Let us use our decades of historical clothing experience and connections to do all the legwork for you! We can find just the right pieces you are looking for for your next big production! Commission rates apply. Enquire: info@maggiemayfashions.com

About WorkShops with Maggie May


I am so glad you are interested in learning more about the diverse and fascinating world of historical fashion and traditional textiles! Just so we are all on the same page, here are answers to a few common enquiries regarding who does what and how it all happens on the day of the workshop.

Me: The Instructor

You: The Facilitator

It is readily understood workshops are meant to be a safe and inclusive space for shared learning, diverse ideas, and eagerness to gain new skills and learn new things! It is my job as The Instructor to not only lead the learning but also maintain an environment where all participants feel welcome and learning meets the needs of the group as a whole.

It is The Facilitator’s job (that’s you!) to secure and prepare the learning space prior to the workshop, to acquire and set up all necessary hardware (sewing machines, laptops, projectors, etc.) prior to the start of the workshop. It is understood The Facilitator will remain in the learning space to assist in troubleshooting any issues that may arise regarding facilities, hardware, materials management, or participant business.

It is always a good idea to recruit a few friendly and eager assistants to help ensure participants reach their individual learning goals. I suggest the following:

  • 1 helpful assistant for every 3 participants ages 7-12
  • 1 helpful assistant for every 5 participants ages 12-17
  • 1 helpful assistant for every 5-7 adults

I intentionally keep my skills based workshops small to be sure I can work with each participant as needed too! Therefore, I prefer to cap many of my skills based workshops at 15 participants. It is my feeling smaller cohorts of learners have better experiences and more successful outcomes than larger groups.

Workshops are often intense learning sessions and require brain breaks for all involved. I suggest at least one 20 minute break for every 100 minutes on task. This equates to one 40-45 minute break for a 4 hour workshop and at least one 60 minute break for a 5-6 hour workshop. Participants should not have to ask for restroom breaks. Learning environments should be flexible and open to the needs of all participants.

As The Instructor, I am responsible for my own lunch and meals. Snacks, water, tea, coffee, and any other yummy edible goodness should be provided for participants by The Facilitator (unless other arrangements have been made.)

Workshop materials are additional and not included in basic workshop fees. A materials list will be provided to The Facilitator in advance. It is the responsibility of The Facilitator to distribute all materials lists to participants in a timely manner. Any participant questions or clarifications regarding materials needed for the workshop can be directed to me if necessary. It is the responsibility of The Facilitator to make sure classroom sets of materials (if applicable) are ready and available at the time of the workshop.

All workshop fees including materials fees are paid prior to the date of the workshop. Enquire for specific details.

For any other questions, please feel free to reach out at info@maggiemayfashions.com

See you soon!

WWI Signal Corps Uniform- with follow up image!

This wool uniform is inspired by ones worn during WWI by the US Signal Corps Women- also known as the Hello Girls. This 100% worsted wool uniform features reproduction brass buttons and is fully lined in cotton sateen. This uniform was created to honor the first women to enter into service in the US Army and will be worn in NYC’s Veteran’s Day parade.

As I continue to research this uniform, I realized the jacket body is slightly more contoured than I originally thought. It has seams that run down the center front sides (see original image below) and so I adjusted my pattern to reflect this. The stand and fall collar however continues to perplex me and I need to spend more time tweaking and adjusting it to get it “just right.”

Side seams- Check! Stand and Fall collar that does not look/feel like a chiropractic device- still working on that….

Follow up: Here is an image from our fantastic client waring this Hello Girl Uniform! Her husband made the insignias. She is pictured with a group of French soldiers. How awesome to see the uniform in action! Thanks JB for the photo! And thank you for allowing us to make this for you!

For more information about this uniform or any of our custom made historical clothing, please visit our website at www.maggiemayfashions.com