Let's just say that historical costuming has been a hobby and an obsession of mine since . . . well as long as I can remember. (REALLY!) From the age of seven, I could sit for hours engrossed in movies like "Les Miserables" (with Anthony Perkins), "The King and I" (with Yul Brenner), and of course "Gone With the Wind." Even then, I was studying the clothing so I could run to my box of play clothes and attempt to recreate that perfect historical look.
Okay, so my research methods and sewing ability may not have been quite "up-to-par" at that point in time. but my motivation, creativity and enthusiasm were definitely running wild. Day after day, I snuck up to my Mother's bedroom to teach myself to use the sewing machine. Eventually it paid off.
In 1986 (at the age of 12) I attended my first Civil War Reenactment - the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. Just days after the event, I designed and crafted my first Civil War period day dress. (Picture to the left). Of course, this was still far from authentic or perfectly period (styled from the TV miniseries, "North and South," and made up of synthetic satin) but it was a start. I received enough gentle optimism and advice from fellow re-enactors that I was able to begin my research in earnest: visiting libraries, museums, examining period pieces and images for details.
From that time on, I immersed myself in researching historical costume; learning something new almost every day. And that's the point when it comes to historical garments and sewing: the learning never ends!