What this site will be:

This site will be a record of my attempts at historical clothing. I am very new to this field and eighteen months ago had never constructed any type of garment. However, since discovering historical costuming I have found that this is an area that delights and inspires me in many ways. The online community is amazing - such a richness of talent, inspiration and pure determination!

Let me say now - I have little or no idea what I am doing! My mother does and always has done a lot of very fine stitching. However, she rarely constructs clothing. Everything I know about sewing I have learnt through osmosis and my own attempts.

The garments attempted on this page will be of various measures of authenticity and various periods. So many different aspects of historical clothing inspire me that it seems rather depressing to limit myself to a mere century or two! So far, most of my sewing has been of the Renaissance or Tudor period - apart from my Regency gown, which is a creation alone in my vestiarium.

Many things on here will be affected by the ever present problem of budget. As a full time student I have limited resources and as such will be limited in my materials. However, I will tend to use historically appropriate materials where possible.

The other main reason for creating this site is to use and practice my web design skills. I am even newer to this field than I am to sewing, so we shall see what we shall see. If you find something that does not work, please feel free to contact me.

I have been inspired to begin this site after having spent the last ten months or so enthusiastically viewing the creations of others, and voraciously reading dress diaries. I am greatly indebted to all these wonderful sewers for encouraging me through their example!

About me:

When I think about it, I've always been interested in both history and clothing - it's just amazing that it's taken me this long to really get into it. When I was younger I loved paper dolls...and now I obsessively buy fabric and have found a newfound delight in thimbles!

Otherwise, I fill my time studying for a Bachelor of Arts at university in Melbourne, enjoy reading, writing, seeing films and catching public transport.

and finally...Why is the site called Laurae Vestiarium?

For those who don't know me, I suppose this takes some explanation. The explanation that needs to be offered is that over the past six months I have enthusiastically begun learning Latin at university. Hopefully - and this is a large hope - Laurae Vestiarium means 'The Wardrobe of Laura' as this is what this site will be. I will use this site to keep a record of my sewing escapades and possibly also at times my attempts to understand Latin :)

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