Feature Friday: Stitchin' Addiction
People can develop a love for historic clothing or costumes through many different routes—original clothing or paintings, period dramas or fantasy movies, or even books and literary characters. This month’s feature has found both personal and professional inspiration between the pages of classic literature, and that has translated to rich catalogue full of beautiful ready-to-wear and custom-made garments!
Tiffany is the owner of Stitchin’ Addiction, and she “designs, makes, and sells women’s 19th century clothing that is inspired by strong historical women and literary heroines.”
As she furthered explained, heroines like Elizabeth Bennett have long been anchors in her worldview. “Throughout my life, I have drawn courage from these women who found their sense of agency, pushed boundaries of social conventions, used their voice, and stood up for the rights of themselves and others. When I recreate the fashion they wore, it feels not only as if I’m honoring their legacy but also as if I’m empowered by walking in their footsteps.”
After learning to sew on her grandmother’s knee, Tiffany later turned her passion for sewing and stories into a full-time business. “I fell in love with how I could turn my imaginations into reality through the process of manipulating fabric,” she added. “Around the same age is when I began to find kindred spirits in books; I was inspired by the courage of Jo March from Little Women and the resilience of Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I wanted to create art from this inspiration, so it was only natural that I combined my love of sewing and my love of literature into Stitchin’ Addiction.”
Whether she is creating something for her one of her literary collections or a completely custom piece, Tiffany wants to share that same passion with her customers. “My goal is to empower,” she shared. “Designs are based on literary heroines in hopes of inspiring agency and courage in each client who purchases from Stitchin’ Addiction. However, this also means that each garment is made to the client's measurements, with the size range offered extending from extra small to 5X, and that, although the historical fashion I offer was traditionally worn by women, I make all styles to fit any gender.”
She has also made sustainability a key feature of her business model. “The fabrics used in all samples and made-to-measure orders are natural fibers and/or sourced secondhand through vendors such as creative reuse stores,” Tiffany added. “Fast fashion and synthetic fibers are synonymous with oppression for many women, and I strive to create with methods that are ethical and sustainable for women of both today and tomorrow.”
And with those goals, she has developed a passion for distinctive projects. “I love to create each garment as a unique piece, using details to support the final goal for the project,” she explained. “This includes paying attention to accurate details in historical patterning, how the fabric is cut in relation to the print design, and of course, the types of trim that are used.”
“My most recent exciting and challenging project was an 1860s inspired wedding gown,” Tiffany shared. “It was based on the pink gown worn by Princess Wilhelmina in her 1865 portrait, but recreated in all white and with the addition of a five foot long train. Being trusted to make someone’s dream wedding dress was an honor.…When recreating originals like this, there are no manuals, instructions, or patterns, so I enjoy the challenge of experimenting with methods and proportions until the final replicates the original.”
“If you love literature, period dramas, and ‘obstinate, headstrong girl(s),’ I would be honored to create your dream historical dress,” she added.
You can find all of Tiffany’s offerings on the Stitchin’ Addiction website, stitchinaddictionshop.com. There you can browse the literary collections, which are made-to-measure garments with a myriad of customizable fabric options. You will also find a stock of ready-to-purchase items, and if you are in the market for a custom creation, Tiffany offers a collaborative, completely custom dream dress option!
You can also follow Stitchin’ Addiction on social media for loads of literary costume inspiration and to see more of her latest collections. Find her on Instagram (@stitchinaddiction), Facebook, and YouTube.