History + Sewing = Fun Job

I haven't posted much lately because I've been so busy finishing up my degree in American History and my Public History Certificate.  This involves heavy reading and writing - including a 34-page Senior Thesis - so sewing is an indulgence I've had to forego until now.

Everyone asks me, "what are you going to do with a history degree?"  My answer:  "I dunno..."

But this summer I found an internship that might set me on an interesting free-lance career path. Working at the local history center, I am making costumes for historical interpretation sketches and reproduction garments for living history exhibits.  These are made from patterns that are drafted from extant garments for authenticity.

For example, here is one of the patterns I will be making for the 1820's era:

I have started out this project by making a mock-up just to see how it all goes together and how it fits. This was clearance fabric, not the color or style I would choose for the real dress, but it gives an idea of the fit which is even better than I expected (although I came up a little short on fabric so it isn't as long as the real dress will be.)  In this mock-up, I just ran it up on the machine but the actual working garment will be at least partly hand sewn - maybe entirely, I'm not sure yet.