The following spring I attempted my first full outfit with help, a late 18th century riding habit out of burgundy cotton velvet (based on the portrait of Lady Worsley and the Duchess film's interpretation of it, as well as my own): it turned out great and I haven't stopped since! (Well, a bit of a slow-down and semi-pause for awhile, while I knocked out my master's degree in business in less than 3 years and planned a wedding in 6 months while working full time, lol)...I love to hand sew, I have a vintage 1969 green Husqvarna Viking that I ADORE, and I love working with natural fiber fabrics: silk, cotton, linen, you are my friends!
I love many different eras in history, but 1800-1820 was my first love, followed by 1770's-1790's and currently I'm totally addicted to Victorian bustles and late 1890's thru Edwardian! I used to demo dance regularly with The Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society, which does living history & dancing of around 1772, which is great fun, including dancing every year at Stratford Hall's Christmas Candlelight Tour.
I host a Regency-costumed Pumpkin Tea every year, and I have taught classes at Costume College in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and also at Dress U and Dress U the 2nd, a costume convention held in 2012 & 2013 near Philadelphia, PA. I most often teach workshop classes, as I really enjoy that teaching and class style. Example LadyDetalle workshops are: Winter Wear - Hooded Cape, Silk Portrait Muff, Creating an 18th century silk muff (X2), Reverse Applique skills class and Regency Dress Detailing. Year before last I taught Gold in Detail - Intro to Gold work workshop at CoCo 2018 - it ranked #3 most requested class, so flattering, thank you all!
I am the founder of LadyDetalle, a woman-owned small business where I design & create unique historic jewelry reproductions & accessories, focused on historic Design & Detail. Reproduction historic jewelry, historic accessories (portrait muffs, reticules, hats, sashes, work bags), vintage silk sari's and shawls/dupattas and more! My second Etsy shop, www.regencytea.com, with high quality loose leaf tea favorites: Cream Earl Grey, Chocolate Vanilla Mint, Sticky Toffee Pudding & more. I'm totally addicted to jewelry making, and constantly coming up with new ideas and designs based on extent jewelry (antiques), portraits and fashion plates, so I appreciate your support in buying available jewelry so I can keep making more, lol. ;)
I sew and blog here whenever I can: I love the creative outlet of making things! I sew mainly between 1750-1915...I have a wonderful and supportive husband, my own knight in shining armor, and have been delving a bit into historical men's clothing for him. Overall I love fun costumed events, and taking a break from the very male-dominated business place and day-time career where I am often in charge :). I constantly dream of things like dancing by candlelight, exploring England in Regency attire, riding sidesaddle in a period riding habit, and wearing Victorian to the opera!
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