Testimonials

RR, Edwardian Custom Corset

Silhouettes — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:51:29 +0000

Gee whiz! I don’t know where to begin! The corset is LOVELY. The mail came while I was in the middle of a phone call and I had to hang up because when I opened it up I started to cry. As I’m writing this, I’ve been wearing it for about six hours. It is excessively comfortable! And beautiful, too! I was stunned by how it looked, reminded of those wedding ensembles you see in museums! I’m speechless! My grandmother was surprised too, and unpacked a leather bodied kestner doll that had belonged to HER grandmother to compare my “shape” to. It was wonderful! My family is already sick of me standing leaning forward and straightening my back up like the fashion plates and going “looks bad, right?” And then standing normally to demonstrate that Edwardian corsets are, in fact, NOT the devil’s tool to ruin women’s backs. — RR (still wearing it we think!)

Rebecca Armstrong, 1881 Wedding Ensemble

Silhouettes — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:32:14 +0000

What an amazing part you played in my amazing wedding experience. A million thanks for being so super on top of your trade – willing to take on such a challenge and for all of your attention to detail and time. You are a Master – no a Grand Master! You will forever be a part of my story and wedding memories. —- Rebecca Roseman (wait! I’m Armstrong now)

Powder Springs Elementary, Colonial Event

Silhouettes — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:54:09 +0000

“I can’t wait to show it (the show) to the rest of my team when we get back from break. We’re going to do it in the media center, so we can show off all of the kids at the same time. Thank you ma’am! I appreciate you my wonderfully talented costume maker/seamstress!” — Dr. Anderson

Click here to see the Powder Springs Project as we get the research posted (coming soon)!

Susan Hurlbutt, Celtic Traveler Project

Silhouettes — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 06:46:33 +0000

“I really even hate to call it a costume because Suzi’s work is the real deal. This is clothing that will last you for a lifetime, not some Halloween costume. Her work is impeccable and she really works with you to get things right and understand what it is you are wanting. Thank you Suzi, your work is so beautiful! You do soooo much with your research and sharing that is priceless. I for one, appreciate what you do. ”

Click here to see Susan’s projects!

Dr. Yvonne Anderson

Silhouettes — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 01:07:03 +0000

“We tipped a cup of tea for freedom to you today. It was attended by famous suffragettes and abolitionists including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, President Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Soujourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and the baby of the bunch – Ida B. Wells.”

Dr. Anderson teaches her students about American history in a unique way, by dressing up the school and herself for a specific time and place each year. Her authentic ensemble was a challenge to build and a joy to research as we learned from each other.

Silhouettes wants to thank this customer who has become a friend and an “honorary Buffalo Gal” as we have forged our own new paths in history.

Click here to go to Dr. Anderson’s Ida B. Wells project home page

Kristi Harder

Silhouettes — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 05:40:04 +0000

“This is obviously not about comfort or convenience.”

Our calming “Mom” Gal, Kristi depicts a mail order bride from the east who travels along the Oregon Trail to Wyoming. She depicts every stage of an historical woman’s life – emigrant, pioneer, settler – mother, daughter, sister, wife… and has a lot of intepretation to handle.

Her primary ensemble is a huge hoop skirt with two 26 yard petticoats, huge skirt, and ruffled overskirt. She has a “casual western” bodice that she keeps wanting to call a “blouse” which wouldn’t be invented for at least 50 years.

A beautiful person inside and out, she can pull off wearing even the tiny hat of 1868. Next ensemble for her will be a “killer fitted” 1860’s (Civil War) large higher class skirt.. and then the 1880’s pioneer simple dress she’ll wear for museum interpretation.

We’re headed to the Cody Gunfights this summer, so we’ve got to catch her up to the 1890’s eventually.

Click to go to Kristi’s home page

Carol Dean

Silhouettes — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 05:35:12 +0000

“Thanks for letting me be a part of the event!”

Carol stepped in as narrator for the Buffalo Gals’ fashion show which introduced the group to the public and potential clients. Having the most difficult ensemble to dress with stays including stomacher, bust, and modesty panel PLUS outer 1765 stomacher and robings AND paniers plus stuffed paper… there was a swarm of helpers buzzing around her before showtime.

A brilliant success, Carol’s 18th Century ensemble doesn’t have a lot of call in Wyoming for interpretation, so we’re looking to update it a bit.. say about 125 years to the 1880’s…

Click to go to Carol’s home page

Melissa Urick

Silhouettes — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 07:13:25 +0000

“Farming in 1885 sounds a lot like what we do now. I just have to be myself.”

Melissa owns a flower farm in Wyoming, so does just select events with “The Gals”, but when she does, she saves the day! Having worked as an historic interpreter for 18th century Williamsburg, her ability to spiral lace up stays in a pinch is lifesaving. She knows her robes and pinnings too, and has her own ensemble to wear to projects – if there were any in the Wyoming region.

We’ve got her in a rural farmwife’s role for general presentations, so she can fit in on short notice to just about anything happening around here for 1880. Her baby and child keep her mighty busy, and watching and remembering for we old ones with our kids grown up is a great reminder of the seasons of life and women that is what these depictions are really all about.

Click here to go to Melissa’s home page

Jacinta Schneider

Silhouettes — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 07:07:56 +0000

“I’m ready!”

The other half of the sisters Schneider, they couldn’t be more different. She’s in school to become an anthropologist studying – guess what – fashion history! She brings knowledge and research to every meeting, and keeps us on our toes to be accurate. Every historical seamstress needs an anthro looking over her shoulder (maybe).

We love the way Jacinta can get movement out of her garments, and maximizes everything from hair to pout to get the whole character. So far we’ve tried her in “soft” garments, and we’d like to expand to get her into something high fashion with a bustle, and then very low fashion working class. Her versatility in depiction and ability to fit into most anything we give her and make it work has her a valuable asset for future assignments.

It’s too bad there isn’t a lot of opportunity for years 1800-1840, because we’d love to get her into late Regency and Early Victorian (can you say Austen and Dickens..?)

Click to go to Jacinta’s home page

Kateri Schneider

Silhouettes — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 07:00:17 +0000

“I’m eating salad because it fits into my corset better than hamburger.”

Bringing the energy and a one-two punch, sisters Jacinta and Kateri have the drive and ambition to make this business fly. They’re the kind of people you’d want at your right hand if you went to war, or tried to win the vote for women, or get women to own property – the kinds of things we teach.

Called “Kat” because Suzi is too slow to adapt to phonetics, we like jokes “Kat in Hat” and such because she is superb in the late Victorian and Edwardian finery and fluff and stuff. Look for Kat also in tailored riding and Western ensembles, because she can adapt to portray just about anything she wants to.

Kat was recently seen in the restaurant of the historic Irma Hotel showing her ankles and her corset cover in public – a hanging offense in the 19th century, it was hardly noticed by the men of today.. maybe…

Click to go to Kat’s home page