About Me

I've been interested in historical costume since the age of six.

I've held a number of costume related jobs, including being a wardrobe attendant and dresser at Harrah’s Casino in Lake Tahoe, renting costumes in San Francisco’s largest costume store, being a stitcher in the costume shop of American Conservatory Theater, selling sewing machines, and running my own bridal alterations and custom dress business.

I went to my first Renaissance Faire in 1973, wearing a costume that can charitably be described as "an ambitious effort." I started working at the Faire in 1984 and began creating Renaissance costumes, first for myself, then for friends, and, as my skill and knowledge grew, finally for customers.

I've been active in the Society for Creative Anachronism, where I am known as Lady Maudeleyn of Bryn Aur.

In 1999, I started my dream business, Historic Costume Patterns. My patterns, and this website, are the fruits of that opportunity, and of over fifty years of study and practice.

I live with my husband, two cats, and a dog in Livermore, California.