Figuring out how to make my own changes, I have blossomed to being my own designer. I have designed and created custom evening gowns for my students for about 15 years. (I teach chemistry, fulltime, at a local high school) In the past 10 years I have been an avid reader of literature about strong women in history. I found myself engrossed in the lives of Queen Elizabeth I, Mary,Queen of Scots, and similar determined woman.

My sister, Cathy, requested that I produce a "costume" for my young niece. I saw a delightful Renaissance ensemble from McCalls and fell "in love"!

I now have shifted my sewing focus to Elizabethan and Renaissance costuming. I love to study how clothing from those periods were actually designed! Presently, I am involved in developing Renaissance wedding ensembles, studying Elizabethan corset structure,and examining materials used in period clothing.