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The HORSE'S
MOUTH |
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PATTERN SURVEYWhat do you do when you want to retire from over half a Century of tailoring historical uniforms and period clothing, but your loyal customers keep asking for more? If you’re Marjorie Cutting, proprietor of "The Horses Mouth Historical Hapertas", you take all that you’ve learned over the years of historical costuming, and the thousands patterns you’ve created, and start something new. For Cutting, her response is developing a line of historical patterns coined ‘Patterns of Antiquity’. "I am most grateful for the word-of-mouth support I have received from the reenactment community over the years. In return, I want to publish some of these patterns of historical clothing. I want to make available what I've learned during the past three decades that I’ve been making period uniforms". Over the past fifty years Marjorie has drafted an extensive library of patterns covering all time periods, for both men and woman, as well as children and young adults. Most recently she has published a pattern for a Civil War Forage Cap in association with Michael Bradley, and is working on the Chasseur’s Cap for release in the near future. However, due to the shear volume, she is unsure as to which patterns to offer next. "It seems to me there are not many patterns for public consumption -- especially for men. I'd like to fill these gaps by making accessible from my collections those that the reenactment community would find most helpful." Marjorie has posted an online survey on her website for research into what the reenactors and historians feel is lacking. With typical British aplomb, Cutting remarks: "I'm not a spring chicken, you know! I'd really like to hear what people's frustrations are with the current choices of patterns. Is it poor instructions? Final fit? Finding fabric? Trims? … That's why I am asking for help with this project”. To participate, visit www.horses-mouth.com/survey.html or call (608) 355-7974 and one will be mailed. Those completing the questionnaire receive a 25% discount on any one pattern she offers online, and are automatically entered into a drawing, with the winner receiving a free customized pattern from her archives. The deadline is December 24, 2006. With a name like "Cutting", pattern drafting must be in her blood. Marjorie, who has always done custom work, has been making patterns since 1951 and military uniforms since 1976, when she was first approached to reproduce authentic military uniforms for the Bicentennial. A native of England, her background includes costuming for England's Covent Garden Opera House and the Royal Ballet. Except for a brief sabbatical to get a Masters of Education from the University of San Diego, she had been creating high quality historical clothing in Southern California since the early 60’s where she garnered a loyal following. Marjorie and her business "The Horse's Mouth" have relocated to the Midwest, where she has set up shop in Wisconsin in a historic building on the square in downtown Baraboo.
She would be grateful for feedback from the reenactment community as to
the kind of patterns that are needed. |
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Last Updated
Monday, September 18, 2006 |
