Historical Costumes
Italian Renaissance Dress:
Developed (2024)
This piece was created around a skirt that was found at a local thrift store and upcycled to create this dress. The dress was built by adjusting a pre existing pattern. All the trim on the gown is hand beaded with different sized pearls.
The snood was built from upcycling a bag and contains alternating rows of gold beads and pearls.
All Professional Photos credited to Alaina Smith Shefelton
Video editing credited to Hope Maddox
Regency Dress:
Developed (2023-2024)
The base white gown was originally built in 2023, to wear for the local museum's festival day while giving a presentation on Regency clothing. It was built from a pattern.
In order to use this dress for many looks, an open front robe based on Regency Fashion plates was created for a "ball" look. The open front robe was made from a curtain found at a local thrift store and draped to shape on a dress form.
All Professional Photos credited to Alaina Smith Shefelton
Video editing credited to Hope Maddox
Green Tudor Dress:
Developed (2016)
One of the first major projects taken on, this green Tudor dress was made from a pattern with its matching 1535 style French Hood. All beadwork is hand done.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
Video editing credited to Hope Maddox
Bicycle Outfit (1890s):
Developed (2022)
Crafted during a Covid Quarantine to practice for an upcoming show the vest was created using an online pattern. The pants and cravat were hand patterned. The bodice was created using a McCall's pattern but in the spirit of recycling, it is made from old cotton sheets. The rest of the vest fabric was used to make a hand patterned cross body hand bag.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
Video editing credited to Hope Maddox
Orange "Fall" Tudor Dress:
Developed (2020)
Constructed from a Tudor Tailor pattern, and a Simplicity pattern this piece was made to use for online masterclasses. Pieces include: a kirtle, gown, fore-sleeves, and stomacher.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
French Hoods (1535):
Developed (2016-17)
Constructed from an online pattern using heavy buckram and wire. All trims and beading is hand done.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
Green Striped Front Lacing Stays:
Developed (2024)
This set off striped stays was built using a Butterick pattern, the matching bow was hand patterned.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
Video editing credited to Hope Maddox
Ophelia 'Spring" Gown:
Developed (2020)
This dress was inspired by the Ophelia dress worn by Daisy Ridley in the 2018 film by the same name. It was draped and patterned to be as close to the inspiration as possible.
Inspired by spring time and water, the main fabric of the gown is over dyed with green to have a fluid, watery color pattern.
All Professional Photos credited to Karen Smith Photographer
1920s Dresses:
Developed (2022)
Two 1920s dresses constructed with work study students to expand stock in the Costume Storage.
All Photos credited to Hope Maddox
