In 2018 a co-worker reached out and invited me to join Somewhere in Time, Unlimited (SITU), also known as Costuming In Seattle. They sponsor historic costumed social events in the Seattle vicinity. I have also ducked in on the Washington Regency Society costuming group too.
lady washington
17 AUG 2019 – Port Orchard, WA
The Washington Regency Society gathered to go sailing on the tall ship Lady Washington. We thought of our ancestors sailing to and from England on tall ships (hopefully bigger than this one!). This event was huge for me, in that sailing on the Lady Washington was a bucket list item for me. The ship is featured in the first Pirates of the Caribbean film as The Interceptor. You can read more about the ship’s history HERE.
My hat and jacket were made by Regency seamstress and WRS member Ruth Haring (in the light blue outfit wearing glasses). My reticule (purse) and white dress were graciously sewn by my mother: Christine A. Quinn. She sews historic doll clothes for sale on etsy. My shoes are from the company Me Too and highly recommended for comfortable flats. My white under-bonnet is from the etsy store Bonnet and Dresses. My hair was done in rag curles based off of this tutorial (you roll your hair when wet and sleep on it overnight).
womens sufferage centennial
10 AUG 2019 – Volunteer Park, Seattle, WA
This event celebrated 100 years since women got the vote in the USA. Above are the details of the costume I put together for this picnic. We had the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra come and play, along with a great lecture giving a historical overview of the suffragettes. An urban sketching artist (Leela Wagner) ran across our group and did several studies in oils.
Details of my hat can be seen in the HAT section of this website. The sash is from etsy store The TH Clothiers, but I made a great matching rosette for my hat. I have on my Gibson Girl wig from Historical Emporium, as well as my smashing new Victorian boots also from Historical Emporium.
sherlock holmes
27 APRIL 2019 – The Historic Grand Cinema and Olive Branch Tea Rooms, Tacoma, WA
This was an excellent event that combined a few of my favorite things. This was a joint activity with the Sound of the Baskervilles, Puget Sound Sherlock Holmes Society. They came and gave a great little lecture about the Doyle play, Gillette’s revamp and subsequent portrayal of Holmes on stage, the 1916 silent film adaptation, and the loss and subsequent rediscovery of the film in 2014. It’s been digitally remastered, and is available on Amazon.com. After the lecture we had a private screening of the film, then went to a very lovely afternoon tea.
Costume wise, this was a new look for me – Edwardian. This also marked getting back into the wig game. I am wearing the McKenna Wig and Edwardian walking skirt from Historical Emporium. The glasses are antique and are a nod to the short story: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez.
CHURCHILL CLUB
20 OCT 2018 – Whiskey West Pub and Restaurant, West Seattle, WA
I always enjoy an event where I get to wear my Art Deco gear. My friend Bryan came along, who is game for both games and a good bit of dress-up kit. This event was particularly appropriate as I had just finished a biography of Churchill and visited the Churchill War Rooms in London a few months before.
Costume wise, I’m wearing an antique fur from New Zealand. The red scarf is Calvin Klein, the cloche hat is Nine West, and my shoes are a thrifted pair of Naturalizer heels (comfort in costuming!). My suitcase and purse are also antiques. The dress is handmade.
Book The Art 