No Wagons Here!
The fashion plate above represents clothing worn by children in 1857. It falls right in the middle of the years when firms like Kister, Kestner, Hertwig and others were exporting thousands of...
Outside the Lines
The posts in this category are just what its label says, i.e., every single thing ever written without categorization. If you want to read straight through from the very beginning, go to the last page and work your way through backwards. The most recent posts are always added at the top of the first page.
The History of Samplers
It's easy to fall down rabbit holes while researching new projects. But if you share my nostalgic love of cross stitched samplers and are curious about their history, there's a great series...
Introducing Hattie
Hattie is a tiny 8" wonder of fine painting and determined survival. Against all odds, here she is, with her original body, china arms, and delicate flat-booted feet all intact. She has...
The Euphoria (NOT) of Pleats
It probably won't surprise anyone to hear that a sciency person like myself ADORES the predictability and specificity of pleats. They're parallel and geometric! They're neat and controlled! And they're easy enough...
Bittersweet Musings
In the course of collecting antique fabrics and trims, I sometimes buy something I love - only to discover later that it's not as useful as I'd hoped. The color doesn't flatter...
Maddie’s Pink Striped Dress
As awful as the fabric for Maddie's Almost Spring Dress was, her second dress for this season was made from the dreamiest silk I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I...
A Most Necessary Accessory
It's always fun to add a bit of Parisian je ne sais quoi to a photo shoot, so I thought you might enjoy a Ladurée shopping bag for your girls. Famed for...
Maddie’s Almost Spring Dress
Maddie and I are pleased to announce we both survived the sewing of her new "almost" spring dress. Comparing its name, and the current date, should tell you everything you need to...
Hard Won Victories
It started with love at first sight . . . (doesn't it always?) The green dress in the above fashion plate caught my eye and next thing I knew, I was dreaming...
There’s No Substitute for Basic Accuracy
Once upon a time, I attended a sewing class where we were encouraged to check the fit of the doll's dress as we worked, since - and I quote - "everyone's quarter...