Kateria “Kat” is a dynamic performer in her 1895 Traveling Reporter Leg ‘O Mutton sleeve ensemble. Close to her own truth as she is a student in criminal investigation, her fictional character is from New York City, and travels to the west of Wyoming to solve a crime.
The outfit, originally designed for a 3 day theatrical performance, is of synthetics (as they would have been in 1895) including period correct closures and authentic construction. This means those sleeves were extremely difficult to build (they are puffed with netting), wired collar and peplum, and that’s a revers (bodice insert), not a blousewaist you are seeing as the white lacing front section.
Kat moves beautifully in the 6 gored skirt, and she has AUTHENTIC boots (the only one who can fit into shoes of the era!), cameo pin, and petticoats. Her petticoat came from a museum, and has allowed us to study construction and methods of godet pleating and the tiny chainstitches of those early sewing machines.
The center of The Gals around which we move, Kat keeps us laughing and the action moving at a fast pace. What we like best about this group of women is how very different each is, and how we support each other. The youngsters have youth and energy. The oldsters have wisdom and experience.
Together we are making of history come to life, and well, we are just plain making history.
