Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker

  • Home
  • Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker

Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker This is the page for Meridith Towne, a Dress Historian and Costume Maker.

Through ths page you can directly receive the latest updates, event listings, and offers from meridithtowne.co.uk I specialise in the construction of historical costume for the heritage industry, with emphasis on quality and accuracy. I welcome personal commissions for costume, vintage inspired outfits and unique bridal wear. In addition, I have a unique range of lively and informative talks centr

ed on my own research and collection of original antique and vintage garments. Based near York, I am happy to travel to and present at any venue and tailor to your event needs.

07/03/2025
12/02/2025
Join me at Tickhill Community Library on Thursday for Festive Fifties. I will joyously frolic through my collection of f...
04/11/2024

Join me at Tickhill Community Library on Thursday for Festive Fifties. I will joyously frolic through my collection of fabulous original evening frocks and accessories to find the perfect ensemble suitable for the belle of the ball this party season.

With my wardrobe bursting at the seams with party frocks, cocktail dresses and dinner gowns i'm spoilt for choice and needs your help to choose.

Delve into the world of Dior, marvel at Balmain and revel in Fath as you explore the sumptuous world of 1950s evening wear and how these designers iconic styles made their way into every woman’s wardrobe.

So grab a girdle, sugar those petticoats and don your stilettos as we prepare to dance the night away!

Here's a date for your diary! Join me at Market Weighton (Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association) for Minis & Moon Boots: ...
20/08/2024

Here's a date for your diary!

Join me at Market Weighton (Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association) for Minis & Moon Boots: Sixties Space Race Style on Thursday 5th September 2pm to 4pm
at the Market Weighton Community Hall, Station Road, Market Weighton

Entrance Fee £10
Includes Tea/Coffee/Cream Scones/Cake
New Members and Visitors are Welcome just turn up ! for an exciting look at the Sixties!

Join me at Jarrow Focus for my new talk 'Whatever the Weather' on Wednesday. Come rain or shine we will be there to brig...
24/05/2024

Join me at Jarrow Focus for my new talk 'Whatever the Weather' on Wednesday. Come rain or shine we will be there to brighten up your day with fashions for all eventualities.

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word is South Tyneside’s new state-of-the-art cultural venue, situated in the heart of South Shields and is brimming with exciting new experiences, activities and facilities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Grab your wellies and bikini ready for my new talk 'Whatever the Weather' this spring. See it at Tickhill Community Libr...
17/04/2024

Grab your wellies and bikini ready for my new talk 'Whatever the Weather' this spring. See it at Tickhill Community Library on 25th April - don't forget your thermals!

A wonderful photo from our latest visit to Wokingham Library for our talk 'Where did you get that hat?'. Thank you to al...
08/04/2024

A wonderful photo from our latest visit to Wokingham Library for our talk 'Where did you get that hat?'. Thank you to all who attended and all the staff 😊

"What do we want?" ...."Votes for Women!"......"When do we want it?".......Thursday 14th March 6.30pm at Billingham Libr...
11/03/2024

"What do we want?" ...."Votes for Women!"......"When do we want it?".......Thursday 14th March 6.30pm at Billingham Library Stockton-on-Tees Libraries.

Don your sashes, pin a rosette to your lapel and raise your banner to ask, ‘will you give votes to women?’. (Anyone responding ‘not on your nelly’ will be refused entry!).

You'll be lead you on a battle march through history to discover more about the determined women who sparked ‘The Cause’, through to the Edwardian militants who wouldn’t take no for an answer. By the end of this lively and informative talk you will be inspired to go forth with ‘Deeds Not Words!’.

Get your tickets at the library or
https://stockton.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/EVSESENQ/6418431/2836285,1

Are you free this weekend and keen to learn a new craft? Or are you looking for a last minute Mothers Day gift? Why not ...
07/03/2024

Are you free this weekend and keen to learn a new craft? Or are you looking for a last minute Mothers Day gift? Why not join me at the North Yorks Art School for my Floral Button Jewellery workshops on Saturday in Scarborough? You'll learn to make traditional Dorset buttons and these modern interpretations of this historic technique, before transforming them into a brand new piece of stylish jewellery for you to enjoy or give as a gift. Book now Bookaclass.org https://www.bookaclass.org/service-page/floral-bouquet-jewellery-workshop?referral=service_list_widget

Look at these amazing examples of North American Smocking. Would you like to know how to make these amazing shapes and t...
07/02/2024

Look at these amazing examples of North American Smocking. Would you like to know how to make these amazing shapes and texures for your next sewing project? It makes an amazing feature on clothes, cushions and fashion accessories. Join me North Yorks Art School in Scarborough on Saturday 17th Feb to learn. Book your space Bookaclass.org No previous sewing experience necessary. Image by Adrienne Sack.

05/02/2024
Amazing news! The Visible Mending workshop on 3rd February is SOLD OUT Bookaclass.org North Yorks Art School Looking for...
28/01/2024

Amazing news! The Visible Mending workshop on 3rd February is SOLD OUT Bookaclass.org North Yorks Art School Looking forward to seeing everyone there and having a great day😁.

Christmas is a week today! Still need to get in the Christmas mood? Join me at Darlington Libraries for Festive Fifties ...
18/12/2023

Christmas is a week today! Still need to get in the Christmas mood? Join me at Darlington Libraries for Festive Fifties on Wednesday 20th December at 6.30pm. Frocks and frothy petticoats galore!

Meridith Towne - Festive Fifties Library

I'll be in North Tyneside on Tuesday with my new Christmas talk Festive Fifties, see you there!
02/12/2023

I'll be in North Tyneside on Tuesday with my new Christmas talk Festive Fifties, see you there!

Join Meridith Towne as she joyously frolics through her collection of fabulous evening frocks and accessories to find the perfect ensemble for the belle of the ball this party season. With her wardrobe bursting at the seams with party frocks, cocktail dresses and dinner gowns she's spoilt for choice...

30/11/2023

Festive Fifties with Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker
Join Meridith Towne as she joyously frolics through her collection of fabulous original evening frocks and accessories to find the perfect ensemble suitable for the belle of the ball this party season.
With her wardrobe bursting at the seams with party frocks, cocktail dresses and dinner gowns she’s spoilt for choice and needs your help to choose.
Delve into the world of Dior, marvel at Balmain and revel in Fath as you explore the sumptuous world of 1950s evening wear and how these designers iconic styles made their way into every woman’s wardrobe.
So grab a girdle, sugar those petticoats and don your stilettos as we prepare to dance the night away!
North Shields Library
Tuesday 5 December, 7pm
Tickets £8.00 + booking fee.
Includes refreshments.
To book click on the link
https://bookwhen.com/ntclibraries/e/ev-sk5k-20231205190000
North Tyneside Council

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Meridith Towne: Costume Historian & Dressmaker:

Videos

Look what's arrived! A sneak peak at a project I have been working on for the last 18months. Yep, that's right, I have written a book! Making Medieval Menswear. Available to buy direct from the publishers and all good bookstores! Use Crowood10 to get a 10% discount. https://www.crowood.com/collections/dressmaking/products/making-late-medieval-menswear-by-meridith-towne

Here's that Friday Feeling for you, courtesy of the Liberation Dress from last night's History Wardrobe #TheRedRibbon book launch in Waterstones Trafalgar Square Hot Key Books

The Red Ribbon
The Red Ribbon

What else can you make from a red ribbon, well here comes option number two in the Lucy Adlington #TheRedRibbon challenge - a bookmark.......but for which book? Hot Key Books Note: for those savvy with a sewing machine, you can put the two flat ends of elastic together and sew across with a zig-zag stitch so you don't have the bulk of a knot. Make sure it's secure though or you may loose your place in the book when it comes undone!

The Red Ribbon
The Red Ribbon

So Lucy Adlington challenged me to make two things from a length of red ribbon that require next to no sewing skills and look fantastic to celebrate the launch of her new novel #TheRedRibbon which is out TODAY!. Well why not try idea number one - A Big Bright Bow* Easy to add to a hair bobble or slide, a brooch, sew onto your favourite frock or why not add that extra touch when giving the book as a gift to that lucky someone! History Wardrobe Hot Key Books

Before I could start drafting the pattern for the new Liberation Dress I created for the launch of #TheRedRibbon by Lucy Adlington Hot Key Books we needed some design inspiration. Thanks to History Wardrobe and my own collection we had plenty to choose from - but which style of decoration or design style did we go for? Which would you choose?

The Red Ribbon
The Red Ribbon

From one exciting project to the next - see what I have been working on in the video! #TheRedRibbon History Wardrobe

Now for some finishing touches on the Mary Queen of Scots fashion dolls for Historic Environment Scotland I modelled the hair using viscose wigging to create a high bun with braid detail and a bit of bulk at the base to fill a snood. Added a snood in black lace which was then decorated with beads, helping to hold the hair in place. Final flourish was making a black silk velvet hat with feather and bead decoration to sit on the top of the head. Voila! Full pictures of the dressed dolls coming soon, I promise.

One 16th century fashion doll finished, onto the next. A little hint at the design of this one, a lovely contrast of black on back, very popular for the era. Have I also inspired a little sympathy at sewing silk velvet on a small scale! The full design will be revealed in all its glory at the end of September. Historic Environment Scotland

My face when sewing silk velvet by hand.......Mary Queen of Scots has added frown lines to my face, she has a lot to answer for!! Historic Environment Scotland

In response to requests, here are a few more pictures of applying the decoration to what will become a miniature 16th century loose gown. Wait until you see how tiny the sleeves are!! Historic Environment Scotland

A few piccies from my recent visit to Tennants Fine Art Auctioneers for the costume and textiles sale. Wow I had to sit on my hands with some of the lots!! Did come away with two fantastic boxed sets of hat pins, buckles and buttons from the late 1930s. May remortgage the studio ready for my next visit.......

At Tennants Fine Art Auctioneers today for the Costume and Textile sale. Looking to pick up some exciting pieces for new talks and dressmaking reference!

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency?

Share