Costume College 2019

Another great weekend event! So fun to spend time with old friends, and meet SO many new people – even if you’ve been following me for years – yay! After all the online drama that occurred this past year regarding Costume College (specifically at the beginning of the calendar year) I was doubting my attendance. Read More...

Podcast 014: Bringing Historical Fashion into Your Modern Wardrobe

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about how to incorporate your love of historical fashion with your everyday lifestyle but find it challenging to wear a bustle dress to your weekly grocery store outing. You are not alone! So many of us in the historical costuming community have – for years! – been trying to add those Read More...

Book Review: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty

After their wildly popular first book: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking, Lauren Stowell and Abby Cox have delighted us again with another publication to up our 18th century ensemble game… The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty: 40 Projects for Period-Accurate Hairstyles, Makeup and Accessories. Yipee!!! Get your copy here (will Read More...

Book Review: The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

In late summer 2016 Lauren Stowell, creator of American Duchess, announced that plans were in the works for her and her new assistant, Abby Cox, to publish a book on sewing 18th century garments. Whoo-hoo!! The shouts were audible from her friends and followers. Since I focus primarily on 19th century sewing but have wanted Read More...

Did you hear the (18th Century) news?

New collaboration with American Duchess Can I tell you how EXCITED I am to share with you new sewing skills, techniques, and online classes for the *18th century*! Over the years many of my students and followers – perhaps you too – have mentioned you want to break out of the Victorian and Regency eras and start creating Read More...

Childhood Films that Inspired Me to Sew

I’m a movie buff. Quoting movies is a favorite pastime (“Like I could tip a cow… by myself!”). Discovering new books as a result of a movie production (either before or after I see it) shapes my current viewpoint and defines moments in my life. So it’s not too hard to further that thought that Read More...

The Drool Fest

What better way to enjoy historical fashion than to look at the real thing! I had the grateful opportunity to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) over the weekend. Through rain, fog, bright sunshine and a blowing snow storm (complete with police escort!) my husband and I got to gasp, drool and Read More...