My passion and love for History started when I was a small child. My father and mother took my sister and I to numerous historical sites and events. I remember touching something old and thinking "I'm touching something that someone touched 100 years ago!" "Who were they?" and "What were they like?".
I now have numerous antique items and never fail to marvel over their history. I love Civil War re-enacting and other Victorian eras. I enjoy constructing reproduction historical clothing and the beautiful hats that complete the ensemble, and wearing them. This is a fantastic way to teach others what life in the 19th century was really like and what a "lady" looked like, how she conducted herself and what all her accouterments were!
I have presented clothing demonstrations by modeling the clothing and giving the historical facts about them. This is always fun when coupled with a Ladies Tea! If you are interested in booking me for your next event, please feel free to contact me on the 'contact' page!
This gown is an 1885 cinnamon changeable silk bustle skirt with a waterfall drapery. The french vest bodice features cabbage roses and is finished with a crown jewel pin at the neck. To complete the ensemble the cream wool hat is sporting a full pheasant cape with fabric rosettes and ribbons.
My youngest daughter Karissa is wearing a Regency period (1810) gown. She also wears a wool bonnet complete with ribbons, paper flowers and an ostrich plume. I feel her Millinery skills were quite efficient on this bonnet! Her favorite book and movie is "Pride and Prejudice!"
I am wearing an original Edwardian (1901-1912) two piece ensemble. The white dimity blouse with a peach insert is graced with grey buttons down the front. It is finished with the white fine corduroy skirt that reaches just the top of my lace up boots. The hat is of grey straw covered in ribbon roses, wax flowers and several long white and peach ostrich plumes. Around my neck is an original Lorgnette.
This beautiful 2 piece walking suit is a reproduction from 1895. It is of heavy cotton twill and features leg-o-mutton sleeves on the flared jacket. It took me several hours of placement and hand sewing to attach the trim in the military design, but I feel it really makes an impact. The cream silk blouse features a lace and ruffled jabot to match the lace gloves. The impressive hat is of light straw and is covered in yards of fine cream tulle and paper flowers and ribbons. The etiquette of the day never allowed a lady to leave her home without her hat and gloves or a proper chaperone!
Here my oldest daughter Cassandra and granddaughter joined me for a "step back in time!" Cassandra wears an 1898 skirt and blouse with a magnificient lace covered hat, which is trimmed in black with a large black bow and feathers. Very typical of the late 1890's. Bria is wearing an original Edwardian bonnet that features tiny tucks and intricate cutwork of the period and a black baby cloak. My dress is of the early 1880's with the typical bustle. My black wool hat sports a pheasant feather and fabric roses that enhance the fabric hat band of grey and black print. Even the children love to "step back in time!"
This lovely 1898 black dotted swiss reproduction two piece ensemble is for sale at my booth inside "That Shop in Milford!" Click on the link above and to the right to take you directly there!
