Recreating a 1912 Motoring Coat

 Henry Ford Museum of Innovation and Greenfield Village Old Car Festival 2018:
This process was based on recognizing and translating a silhouette into modern proportions and researching how to recreate historical clothing construction techniques that are also durable. I had to be aware that this garment was going on a modern corseted body and was going to be worn outside all day. The equivalent of historical sewing notions like buttons and tassels are not made anymore so I had to recreate those pieces from scratch. Through this process, I was able to find a love of building clothing with period detail. Building a period garment takes longer because we can’t use elements like modern seam finishes; so no surging. I also fell in love with the idea of using clothing as a tool for educating the public in an innovative, highly impactful way. If the garment is made for the purpose of education, the importance of accuracy in this garment is essential for audience experience down to the pearl embroidery and bound buttonholes. 

Costume Design by Anne Suchyta.

Produced by The Henry Ford Museum.