About The AuthorMarna has been interested in textiles since the age of four when her grandfather purchased her and her brother their own herd of sheep. She was spinning by the age of 10 and an accomplished seamstress by her teens. Her submersion into 19th century dress research began when she noticed many available patterns for Victorian dress didn’t quite “look right” and started collecting primary resources to ascertain why she was unhappy with them. This has lead to a research library and personal museum that is the envy of many friends.
Marna is married and mother to two very intelligent daughters who are just as obsessive as she is in their own interests. |
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Want to know more about me?
I've been sewing since I was 9 years old taught by a talented mother. When I took Home Ec. in high school my teacher wouldn't let me slack off with an easy project I could already do. She bullied me into trying things I had never done before like making tailored coats, and creating patterns of my own. I owe much to these two women. My grandmothers gave me a love of embroidery and cooking. Skills that had gone long by the wayside were common in my family from gardening, to handling livestock, to feeding a harvest crew. Today I like to say I participate in active archaeology. There is only a finite amount that can be learned in history without experiencing it to some extent. It is easy to say "I would never wear a corset" without wearing an appropriate corset and learning about the support it gives you for your dresses and ease it gives your back.
I am in a large amount self-taught. My great joy is research. Pouring over old volumes, collecting photos of other peoples relatives, examining the patches in a work dress from the 1870's. My research library consists of not only other's studies of the Victorian era, but volumes printed in the time frames I study. I collect dressmaking systems (there are around two dozen in the cabinets), fashion magazines (my preferred magazine is Demorest, but I have a good selection of Peterson's), antique photos (err... around 5000?), and Butterick Pattern catalogs (because if you are going to know what the average person is wearing- check the pattern available!) I have an eye for detail that easily lets me put together clues in clothing that many might miss.
You also might check out my Linked in Page or Like my Domestic Lady's Dressmaker on facebook!
I've been sewing since I was 9 years old taught by a talented mother. When I took Home Ec. in high school my teacher wouldn't let me slack off with an easy project I could already do. She bullied me into trying things I had never done before like making tailored coats, and creating patterns of my own. I owe much to these two women. My grandmothers gave me a love of embroidery and cooking. Skills that had gone long by the wayside were common in my family from gardening, to handling livestock, to feeding a harvest crew. Today I like to say I participate in active archaeology. There is only a finite amount that can be learned in history without experiencing it to some extent. It is easy to say "I would never wear a corset" without wearing an appropriate corset and learning about the support it gives you for your dresses and ease it gives your back.
I am in a large amount self-taught. My great joy is research. Pouring over old volumes, collecting photos of other peoples relatives, examining the patches in a work dress from the 1870's. My research library consists of not only other's studies of the Victorian era, but volumes printed in the time frames I study. I collect dressmaking systems (there are around two dozen in the cabinets), fashion magazines (my preferred magazine is Demorest, but I have a good selection of Peterson's), antique photos (err... around 5000?), and Butterick Pattern catalogs (because if you are going to know what the average person is wearing- check the pattern available!) I have an eye for detail that easily lets me put together clues in clothing that many might miss.
You also might check out my Linked in Page or Like my Domestic Lady's Dressmaker on facebook!
Member
Costume Society of America -
American Association of State and Local History - The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
Costume Society of America -
American Association of State and Local History - The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
Clients
• National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum- lectures and living history
• Buffalo Bill Historic Center- living history, fashion shows and classes
• Koester House- cataloging dresses
• Chisholm Trail Museum- loaning collection, setting up exhibits, working in collections
• Buffalo Bill Historic Center- living history, fashion shows and classes
• Koester House- cataloging dresses
• Chisholm Trail Museum- loaning collection, setting up exhibits, working in collections
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