Posted in 1860s
It is nearing the end of summer in the American South and the sweltering heat has me thinking of Fall and a new ball gown. I am putting the bodice together now. I have chosen a semi sheer “linen colored”…
Posted in Atelier
A new batch of lovely homespuns and calicos have arrived in the studio just beckoning to be made into Civil War Era dresses, shirts, blouses, etc! The possibilities are endless. I’m ready for the Fall sewing season! Can’t wait to…
Posted in Musings
Last month I was contacted by an overseas manufacturing company wishing to sell me reproduction civil war era clothing. Always looking for a way to expand my little business, I thought very hard about it. There are a lot of…
Posted in Historical Sewing
There is much debate amongst those remaking historical clothing about the use of buttons on dresses. Here is one researcher’s findings: Until the late 18th century, buttons are rare on women’s dress. In the few earlier pictures, the direction often…
Posted in Commissions, Costume Design
After multiple internet inquiries regarding the mysterious dress Vienna Teng wore in her Gravity video, the guy who commissioned it responded: “The gown Vienna wore in the Gravity video was created especially for it. We worked with a wardrobe designer…
Posted in Commissions
This was another custom commission. I was asked to recreate a WWII era WASP beret. After much research and a great deal of color debate, here is what I came up with. The customer will add the WASP insignia to…
Posted in Fashion History, Musings
Early rubberized threads were sewn into sleeves and bodices as early as 1800. However, this was not widespread. The first elastics were not as strong as modern elastics and were unreliable. In 1820 the British inventor Thomas Hancock patented a…