Hours of dedicated research go into each historical piece of clothing I have created. Materials, patterns, historical techniques, and construction take enourmous amounts of planning and tetious trials. Layers of fabric from structural undergarments to the fashion fabric of the outer layers are stitched by hand, or on a treadle machine from 1892 I restored myself in 2024.

From patterning skirts to installing hardware in corsets to completely hand stitching an 18th centrury mens work shirt, I take my historical accuracy pretty seriously. I have gathered a library of skills that aid me in making the most accurate reproductions I possibly can. These include:

• Pattern drafting and cutting

• Hand stitching, embroidery, smocking, etc.

• 
  

In wanting to understand more fully the function of historical clothing, I have worn women's historical dress for over 4 years. In that time I have walked hundreds of miles a full skirt and corset, from the high sierras to the middle of Death Valley. I have also planted, harvested, hauled hay and dug tractors out of the mud in these clothes. (I personally wouldn't reccomend that last one.)