NEVER stop learning! I never got my bachelor's until I was 40 and my master's at 60. Now I'm 65 and looking at classes for the fall at the local state college. Love your videos & the back story.

@jenniferandrew3373

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! I'm 50 and always taking new classes or trying to teach myself new things. Those new things don't always go well, but the knowledge that comes from failure is really valuable.

@sarahk8053

3 жыл бұрын

This is so encouraging! I'm 27 and only now about to get my Bachelor's after taking a bit of a mental health detour after school. It's good to know that, while I often feel like I'm late compared to my peers, older people than me made it happen.

@lorrainecobaugh3822

3 жыл бұрын

@@sarahk8053 This is so encouraging and welcoming to hear. I am 33 and halfway through working on my Bachelors. I often feel like I am late into the field as well. But life happens and everyone has their own timeline, or at least that is what I remind myself.

@catzkeet4860

3 жыл бұрын

While I understand what you’re saying, some of us have never been able to afford further education, however much we may have wanted to. However, classroom learning isn’t the only kind of learning. I’ve taught myself many things....KZread is fantastic for learning new things. Libraries are also great free resources to teach yourself things. I don’t have a work income, so I can’t afford to spend money on anything but essentials in most cases. I don’t even have an internet connection where I live. Fortunately I’m not far from the library, and THEY have free internet, during weekdays during the day at least. I would truly love to be able to take classes in several of the areas I’m interested in, but it’s not an option atm. I thank the deities every day that the internet exists....I’m old enough to remember when information on just about any subject wasn’t at everyone’s fingertips thanks to the World Wide Web. Sure it would be nice to be able to access it from home.....but I can do the library lol.

@cristinerose21

3 жыл бұрын

Im 47 and working on my batchelors

A snoring puppy on a cushion beside you while you stitch seems the perfect historically accurate touch for any scene ❤️

Hi From Bundaberg Australia. I hated history during my high school years, marring young and raising two children on my own I found reading was fun. During my 40's I went to college to learn computer technology and later was employed by that college. I became a tutor for the disabled students wanting to learn computer technology, retiring I kept learning and lately I found you, Abby and other history fashion channels on You Tube.Hearing about your background and what you do now is a real pleasure to watch and learn. Thank you for going out there and doing what you love.

I didn’t hear the snoring dogs in the video because I am surrounded by my own snoring dogs.

@becauseimafan

3 жыл бұрын

Awww! 🥰

I, for one, am really glad that your path has led you to share the cool things you've learned with us on KZread. I was one of those teenagers who wandered away from history when it became all names and dates and memorizing things for exams, and am so glad to have been drawn back in. I love how much realer the history feels when you get to zoom in and look at the details and find the stories of ordinary people.

@dawnssful

3 жыл бұрын

I can understand what you mean entirely. While I think that the dates are important for understanding context, it is really individuals stories and perceptions of those stories that really highlights the beauty of history.

@rachaelm.4000

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly this!!!

@SonjaPond

3 жыл бұрын

Yes!

@kspoo10_

9 ай бұрын

I'm in year 12 in Australia, and we could probably bullsh1t our way through the Modern History exam without learning any content tbh, because the point of it is to learn how to analyse sources and understand perspectives. Obviously it's important to have context, but I'd feel really sad if we were just learning meaningless numbers. The perspectives are what make history important!

I honestly wish you were going around speaking at high schools--both in a historical interpretation role, or even in a sort of "guidance counseling" role. Because your career path both highlights how messy the real world is, but also how it's okay to feel like you're off-script or off the beaten path, and how just living life and connecting with people can guide you in a way all the planning in the world cannot. This adds a whole new dimension to the already-incredible and entertaining videos you make. Stay amazing!!!

The gentle puppy snore is very soothing. It’s always interesting to see how people got where they are. Thanks for sharing!

@judithdutton4631

2 ай бұрын

Re: university of Nebraska. Snob appeal often draws people to the big name universities. Many of the others offer fabulous programs. In smaller, less expensive places. And as for taking it over three years instead of two - less pressure, a real life, more time to concentrate on your thesis.

@maryerb6062

2 ай бұрын

I didn't notice the puppy snore till you put the camera on him

I am so excited for this, I'm 14 years old and my dream is to be a fashion historian. :D

@pheart2381

3 жыл бұрын

Like your thumbnail,I was watching Picnic last evening. You could start getting into fashion historian mindset now,then when people ask you what you want to do tell them"my hobby is fashion history,but I want to take it further,and make a career out of it"!

@princessketamine0

3 жыл бұрын

@@pheart2381 thank you for the advice!! And Picnic At Hanging Rock is a great movie, it's one of my favorites

@lindsey7276

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! I was really interested in fashion history at that age and even started sewing then (which is one of my personal interests) but didn't know it could be a career, or that there were other people who were interested in it. I really wish I had stuck with it and kept learning and trying new things; I would know so much more by now! Try things out, keep learning and talking to people about it (you might even find some good friends that way :) ). Even Nicole mentioned in this video that sometimes you don't know how much you love something until you try it (for her it was shoemaking, and look where she's gone with it!). Everything is a journey, but don't feel like you can't pursue it because of your age. Don't feel like you have to delay learning or trying projects because you aren't college age yet or maybe don't know people who are into it. If you're interested in sewing, even using some thrifted bedsheets can be a great place to start! Even a little bit goes a long way :D

@princessketamine0

3 жыл бұрын

@@lindsey7276 thank you for the advice, i appreciate it :D

@aliceanne3952

3 жыл бұрын

Lovely!! Starting early! 😄😄😄

Is it wrong that I squeed when you said you’d link your thesis? There is a part of me that wishes I had discovered this love and obsession for historical clothing when I was younger...but I wouldn’t be who I am now, and wouldn’t have appreciated it in the same way. Your experience is incredibly interesting! Someday I’d love to hear the story of Lt. Threadopus. I love hearing people’s fun/silly/you had to be there stories! Thank you for letting us get to know you a little better. Bailey is so CUTE!! Bailey and my Max would get along famously...they’re both adorable, snoring, pup-a-lumps.

I learned to sew at 25 y o when my son was a newborn and I was living in the frozen north of the province of Quebec without family or friends. We had pbs and there was a show about quilt in a day. My interest in historical clothing is a Covid side effect 😉

@becauseimafan

3 жыл бұрын

😲 OMG Quebec! Sorry, got excited! I'm from Montreal ☺️ Same here about the Covid side effect! Haha. I love the Costube community and the creators I've found so far - and I'm learning so much! 🤓🧠

@crystaledwards9878

3 жыл бұрын

I watched that same quilt show with a newborn.

@carolynworthington8996

Жыл бұрын

That is so cold!

Can say how much I agree about high school history. How they take such a fascinating topic and turn it into a dull boring recital of dates. With a single viewpoint of a single person depicting them as a one sided undeveloped character!!!

@Hair8Metal8Karen

3 жыл бұрын

That's why Terry Deary wrote the Horrible Histories books which led to a fantastic five seasons of the TV show, because he wanted to help kids see that History was interesting (and gory).

@robintheparttimesewer6798

3 жыл бұрын

@@Hair8Metal8Karen those books were amazing and the only one I could get my reluctant reader to read for years!

@evelynsaungikar3553

2 жыл бұрын

@@robintheparttimesewer6798 You can see BBC TV episodes based on the books, here on KZread!

@robintheparttimesewer6798

2 жыл бұрын

@@evelynsaungikar3553 that’s great to know! My reluctant reader had a son I’m trying to get him interested in reading. This means I’m back to watching for silly and strange books at thrift stores. Horrible History and Captain Underpants are my top priority.

@evelynsaungikar3553

2 жыл бұрын

@@robintheparttimesewer6798 Amazon has them.

Out of all the historical costubers I personally find that I learn the most from you in regards to how to actually *do* things and the information behind fabrics and theory of construction 😊 Also you must have fingers of steel because I never see you wearing a thimble!

@rebeccasabin480

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! This! I’ve heard Abby just -go off- about thimbles and NEVER see her best friend use one. I find it absolutely hilarious.

@derrith1877

Жыл бұрын

I suspect that Nicole grips the needle tightly and pulls it through, rather than pushing it through, whatever she's sewing. She also probably pierces the holes with an awl before putting the needle in. I've been known to use a sailor's palm (it is a "thimble" held in the palm of the hand) to sew leather. Some people grip the needle with pliers (I was taught that was heresy, since it damages/roughens the needle's shank) and other people wrap a well waxed piece of sinew or thread around the needle to give them a handle on it. Where there's a will, there's a way - it just may seem unconventional to others!

Every time, EVERY TIME I really love an online creator, I later discover that they did theatre at some point in their life.

I'm definitely not over here being exactly crazy enough to want to go read your thesis and trying to figure out when I'll have time... But I do have the day off 🤓

@Spoononthefloor

3 жыл бұрын

I'm definitely not over here (having just finished reading it) encouraging you to go for it. I'm going to go back to marveling at the shoe construction process and the amount of detailed work there (it's the making of the silk braid that's currently blowing my mind)

I’m 22 & I started sewing fairly recently. I’ve been interested in history for a while now & always wanted to learn to sew bit didn’t know how to go about it. At some point while I was attending a community college I decided on a whim to take a beginning sewing class just cuz & it gave me enough of the basic knowledge to do my own thing. The semester finished during the early stages of plague so we had to switch to online & ever since one just used KZread videos & trial & error to learn. I’ve gotten rather decent at it. I mostly machine sew stuff made of bedsheets then finish raw edges & hems by hand. Using cheap thrift store bedsheets is a great way to eliminate the pressure & risk factor. If you mess up a $3 piece of fabric it’s no big deal. That’s basically how I started, hope this might be helpful to someone interested in starting. Idk

@michellebyrom6551

Жыл бұрын

The old sheets is definitely the way to go. I'm sewing sporadically for 50 years now and still find them the most convenient for trying out new patterns for fitting.

@luciarel8131

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it's helpful! I need to get back into sewing and learn more, and just found a thrift store with a great supply of "inexpensive fabric."

I am a 66 yr old woman and love all the chanel with this type of content... I crochet and needlepoint and many more needle work.... many years ogo I chose to teach classes on the needle art .... to see young women like yourself teaching so many people at once is great .... you blew my mind with the shoe makeing... thank you for sharing

Thank you for posting the link to your thesis. I enjoyed reading it and it did give me a lot of new information. My professiomal background as an othopaedic surgeon with the emphasis on "P&O" (Prosthetics and Orthotics) has provided me with a lot of clinical experience with deformed feet up to the sad and tragic cases of amputations, especially when diabetic feet meet ill fitting footwear. The desire to have small feet is still very strong (here in Germany), a lot of women simply deny that they should wear anything above size 39 (= US size 8). My solution would be to create a brand called "Size Eight" so even if a lady buys her correct size 9, 10 (or whatever) she can always truthfully claim it is a "Size Eight" shoe. Again: Thank you for the link and all the work you put into that thesis!

@sullivanko1902

Жыл бұрын

Ok, that is so clever ! If you get the chance, you should absolutely start that company. I didn’t realize a desire for small feet was so prevalent and so DANGEROUS. As a US size 11 (+/- depending on the company) women’s shoe, I can’t even IMAGINE trying to stuff my big ol’ boats into a size eight. I’ve pretty much given up on women’s shoes entirely given the length and breadth is my feet. It’s almost impossible to find anything in-store that fits and I’m not a fan of blind-buying shoes online without the chance to try them on. A company dedicated to larger sizes in fashionable styles would be really great to see. The naming convention is just the icing on the cake.

I began collecting Victorian clothes in the 1970s in Newport RI. I never knew why. I just loved them and the time period. I then got into quilts decorative sewing and making costumes. Got an associates degree in Art. Became a single mom and have done crazy jobs all my life. From displays at Macy’s to a quilt store to decorating with sheets to teaching seniors jewelry making... all because I fell in love with Victorian clothes....

LOVED this, Nicole! Great life advice--that could be a great journal brainstorming sesh. I spotted Abby at the 12:41 mark and thought, "I wonder if she'll talk about how they met." I love those kind of friendship stories. Also, your snoozing dog makes the cutest pillow. :-)

This is the video that we’ve all been waiting for!!

I love hearing people’s stories! They’re so fascinating! Also cute sleepy pup!

@grizeldaxxx4568

2 жыл бұрын

Same here, and also look behind them and see the Treasures hahahhaa

Thanks for the fireside chat. :D I was stitching on my Bayeux Tapestry project while you sewed your flag and shared your story. It was lovely!

These days I start every conversation with, "You will hear my dog snoring in the background. I would wake her up except for she's already awake." She snores whether she's asleep or awake. When my own snoring wakes me up, I have a clear understanding that I need to shift so that I can breathe better. My dog has not cottoned on to that logic yet. On the other hand, I swear sometimes that she's just running commentary on my conversations. She's judging me.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been dying to hear how you and Abby ended up in No. Nevada together. Having spent my teen years in Sparks, I don't recall it being the epicenter of cool historical costuming people, so I knew there had to be a great story (and if you and Abby were involved, I'll bet there is a yet-untold element of fun eccentricity to the story too!) I am returning to historic preservation (architectural history) after a few years away. I got burned out on writing back-to-back technical documents and needed a break. I now realize what was missing was the creative side of history that drew me in at the beginning, and I am going to try my hand at some proper historical garments, and more living history work to balance out the technical reports that pay the bills. Watching you succeed at this work has been a HUGE encouragement, leading me back to my first love. I appreciate you taking the time to share this part of yourself. Thank you for showing us all how to follow our dreams. It means a lot.

I used to sit with my mom as she sewing when I was a kid. I also did some basic projects of sewing while in High School and in Home eca I did some sewing as well. Because my mom was once a Home Eca teacher once and she talked to the teacher at the school, so the teacher knew I knew some of the basics of sewing and knew because also talked about what I need to work on as well. When it came to embroidering I got fed up with the embroidering chalk and brought some tailor's chalk from my house and used that to lay out what I need to embroider. I haven't done much sewing in a long time, but I have crochet a lot, but I did buy some fabric and some easy sewing patterns to sew myself a skirt and top along with some cloaks because I really want to make myself a couple of Viking dresses and aprons and to get back into sewing.

I live about 30 minutes from historical Williamsburg and I absolutely LOVE it. I am just starting. My sewing experience, due to forced retirements from an illnes/birth defect I can no longer work with. I was a welder and welding inspector for turbines for nuclear power plants. When bored to death in forced quarantine in 2015 due to treatments, I bought some antique singer machines that needed a little work to get running again. So I restored quite a few of them. They multipied up to about 18 assorted machines, so I figured I'd learn to sew. I sew handbags, do leather handbags, and now I will no longer buy off the rack clothing. It will either be handmade or upcycled, and possibly both. So, this is my new hobby, and by happenstance, my daughter for some reason loves home made clothes over store bought. She can articulate to me what she wants and I make it for her. So, we both are history bounding in our daily lives now thank you for all of your knowledge, I will pay attention AND USE IT! Second to love, knowledge is one of the most valuable gifts you can give in life.

As someone doing a degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, this is so reassuring to watch. I began when the museum sector in the UK was really beginning to pick up again after the 2008 crash, aaaaand then the Pandemic hit and people are being made redundant right and left which is a pretty scary environment to be going into. The bit about not getting too caught up in a 'dream job' really resonated. So thank you 💕

Thank you so much for sharing this story! I'm an opera singer, not a fashion historian, but I think anyone in a creative, artsy field driven by passion and nerdery can really relate. 💖There's not a lot of well-paid, consistent work in opera, either, but when you're open to every path and excited about what you do, I think the process of finding your thing can be almost as fun as DOING your thing itself! (Of course, it can also be stressful and scary. But the things we do for art! 😂)

@Rg-hc6or

5 ай бұрын

Nerdery! Love it!

I'm so glad you decided to persue KZread. I really like the way your videos are so focussed on the education side of things and appreciate you sharing all the things you've learned 💚

Not really related to this Q&A, which was fascinating btw, but I *adore* that blouse.

@rebeccaolsen6196

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! And from the inside of the collar it looks like it has a gorgeous red lining.

@ginalou5774

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! me too. It’s gorgeous. I wonder if she made it....probably did because it’s amazing

I always wondered how museums made recreations for their displays

I just wanted to say that I absolutely ADORE your videos. It makes my Historian heart sing when you get into detail about some of the history and talk about your research behind projects. And sewing. It's all combined with sewing! Love it! Love you!

Right after graduating with my Fashion Design degree, I looked hard at some Historical Fashion programs. I'm glad I didn't go forward because I 1. Already had way WAY too much loan debt, 2. had undiagnosed/treated ADHD, and 3. generally dislike academic activities vs creating with my own hands, which is part of why I ended up abandoning my fashion design asperations. I still am very passionate about fashion but it didn't need to be my career.

@michellebyrom6551

Жыл бұрын

Well done on completing your degree without adhd diagnosis.

Loving the sew along storytime! I keep hoping that you and Abby will start making and selling patterns from your historical clothing collection. Really enjoying your KZread content too though, the fabric basics series is informative even for someone who has been sewing for decades and also did costume design in college.

Holy Cats! I am so excited to hear a UNL connection! Thanks for the Mid-west education shoutout :)

I was super excited to see the link to the UNL digital commons...I myself just finished my undergraduate thesis that is also on the platform. Lo and behold, we share a thesis advisor. What a small world!

I love your story. It’s fascinating and it’s so cool that you and others exist on KZread to connect people in this community. I know I love historical sewing and I wouldn’t have much community without you guys. Thank you for being here and for putting forth so much passion. It’s so exciting for me too! 💜💜💜

Beginners of sewing! My #1 suggestion is to start with something you love, and the equipment you have! There are many "beginner friendly" projects, but if they aren't something you would be excited to have and use, don't make them. My first project was 80% glue and 20% hand-stitched, but it made me excited to continue learning and making more projects. Even those little travel sewing kits are enough to start with (well, you might need to buy some thread). Within a year I was tackling a very challenging project that was 100% hand-stitched (I didn't have working sewing machine), and when I was confident enough that I would continue to sew then I finally got a sewing machine!

In 1976, my 6th grade teacher created a fantastic music and dance play about America. I got the chance to play Betsy Ross because my dad donated material for the Betsy Ross flag. It was so much fun. It actually started my love for sewing and American history. I really enjoy all your videos. This one is fun bc I put down my crochet to type this.

This is a wonderful video, and helped with my anxiety over "starting over," which I plan to do once I get my second vax shot. I've been a teaching for 18 years, but I'm not happy where I am nor where the profession is moving. So, my knitting needles and I are moving to another city, where I plan to go back to school for degree in Educational/Child Psychology. I've been trying to figure out what kind of job to get in the meantime, which makes me nervous, but as you've illustrated... any job can provide new lessons, opportunities, and experiences! I just need to breathe and see where it all takes me.

@rdb4996

3 жыл бұрын

Much luck 🍀 Enjoy your journey.

I just wanted to write another comment to tell you how much I admire you, your journey and how passionate you are about historical clothing. I'm someone who has always been deeply connected with storytelling in all forms: I love reading books, watching movies, reading manga, drawing... And what got me into historical sewing in the first place was precisely the storytelling potential of a piece of clothing. Of breaking it apart into shapes cut from fabric that got sewn together in a variety of ways to create something beautiful. For now, I don't have enough knowledge or practice to really dive into many historical sewing types of projects, but I do love following costube videos and you've become one of the youtubers I watch the most. Sorry for binging your channel out of the blue. xD

I figured out quite awhile back that if history was taught in an interesting way, with more factual information and dare I say? peppered liberally with cool trivia, it would be a lot more fun to learn it! I am recent to historical clothing but it's the stories and factual (well researched) information you share as you go along that keeps me fascinated with all you do. I love Abby as well & when you two get together it is very entertaining! I will keep watching your channel as long as you are making content. I've binge watched many past videos, in fact this one is just over a year past. Time jumping, it's what I do. lol

I just noticed you past 45k. You’ve grown so much! Congratulations!

Ok I'm only 7 minutes in so I haven't listened to the whole story yet but almost the exact same situation happened to me this year. I am an arts and humanities major with minors in dance and arts management, and I originally planned on going into performing arts administration in some capacity. However, that industry is hurting a lot right now and I lost any chance at an internship last year because of COVID. However, I've gotten really passionate about sewing and historical fashion and I also randomly looked up colonial Williamsburg because I went there as a kid and loved it. Now I'm planning on going into historical reenactment and education after I graduate in December (also due to covid) and I owe a lot of that to the CosTube community and the online sewing community in general for showing me a field of study I never knew existed and have fallen in love with.

Thanks so much for sharing your journey, Nicole. I love fashion & am especially fascinated by the meticulous hand sewing prior to industrialization of textile & apparel production. When I watch the close ups of your hand sewing with bonus of complementary music, I feel transported to another time. Your sewing is so beautiful & the teaching you provide is so interesting & wonderfully presented. (Am I gushing?🤣) Thank you, thank you!😃

I graduated in 2002 with a degree in History and a minor in Museum Studies. The best thing my school did was let me be on a search committee and I saw how many applications came in for a part time one year position. I love your channel, it scratches an old itch.

It really sounds like you had a very similar journey to me until just as I finished my BA in theater I got very sick and then I got married and then had two babies. Was a seamstress for years and did a lot of costumes for amateur theater. Now I have gotten into buying and repairing vintage sewing machines and am going to make costumes for myself using one of the treadle machines.

I read your thesis! It was very enjoyable and informative. The shoemakers of the time engaged in some clever witchcraft and the description of the age had new information for me. Didn't think I'd get so invested in the life of and a pair of shoes of one woman from so long ago, but I did. It must have been incredible putting on the reconstructed pair for the first time. Heartily recommend it to anyone curious!

Love, love, love the blouse!!! What an exquisite print

Thank you! It's exciting to see in the comments that people my age (64) are also continuing their knowledge - as well as young women who are interested in sewing and fashion history! You are the next generation, we welcome you!!

I hated being sent to Christian school in high school but I did love the history class which looked through the lenses of religion it really encompassed so much and gave context to the events. Gave me a life long love of history.

I totally get you on the scenic painting and fear of heights! One of the plays we did, we did a storybook-design proscenium arch. Originally painted and assembled on the ground then put upright, and the director decided it needed more detail... I was on a 15-ft ladder in the middle of the stage painting blackletter calligraphy during a dress rehearsal, lights and all.

Okay, I know this is two years in but it popped up on my must see (I watch a lot of both you and Abby). First, I grew up 20ish miles east of Omaha - was born at UNO. Even though I grew up there, I never knew UNL had such a great program. I love watching and learning from you both. Thank you for sharing. ❤

I'm working on my own projects whilst listening to this. It calms my anxiety and insecurity, so thank you.

I got a book from Scholastic when I was 10 “ How To Sew “ so I learned a backstitch and the over and over stitch . I already knew the buttonhole from a 1st grade project where we sewed a bookmark over a square mesh . So when I started making doll clothes for dolls that id made out of embroidery thread it was sorta became easy to do basic embroidery but I really loved making quilts . The history of clothing is fascinating

Thanks, Nicole! This was so interesting! I worked at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in central Illinois in the late 70s when the site director was beginning the living history program. It was great fun; one of my all time favorite jobs! I've had a long-time love of historical clothing and fabric crafts so hand sewing an 1840's everyday dress was a great challenge. We didn't go for all-out historical accuracy; as I said, they were just dipping their toes in the water!

The word "inspiring" barely describes your story; I love learning, and currently find myself feeling stagnant. Your story of changing locations and changing employment and constantly gaining new experience and knowledge gives me a sense of hope somehow. Thank you!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I want to get into historical fashion and hearing this made the thought of going into this field way less scary.

Thank you so much for this! I have been feeling a little lost recently and it great to hear your story! I was surprised to how similar it is to the path I've been taking. My BFA is also in the technical side of theater. Thanks Nicole 💜😊

Thank you for your story! I loved hearing more about you! I'm so glad that it's not just me who just looks and tries to replicate!

Thank you for this! Australia doesn’t really have any fashion based history degrees so the journey of getting into museum work has been pretty tricky - videos like this always make me feel a lot more motivated to keep going.

It is such a comfort to know someone who understands what you passion about. Happy to see there are many people around the world just as crazy as I am.

I’m so glad you joined KZread. I really love watching your videos and I’ve been watching since the beginning. I remember the first time I watched one of your videos and I looked at your subscriber count back when it was just a couple thousand and I was shocked at how rich the content was for being that new to the platform. I have been so happy to see your channel grow and I really hope it brings in the financial support you need to keep giving us your knowledge!

I love the educational aspect that you bring to your videos...you and the tight-knit others have been a bright spot in these pandemic times-- your creativity is inspiring and your love of sharing information helping to reinvigorate my own love of history and helping me think of things I'd never given much thought to before. Like you, I suck at the name and date thing but this "how others lived" aspect speaks to me on a different level - so I greatly appreciate your willingness to research and share what you've learned so far. Keep up the good works! Another great video! And your snoring furbaby is perfection.

I'm so happy to hear someone talk about middle and high school history classes in the same way I always did!

I loved hearing about your story! I'm a rising high school senior and hoping to major in dress history in college(and very, very stressed about it) so hearing what other people do is very reassuring!

This came in just the right time! I’ve literally JUST started getting ready to apply to school for fashion history, in the hopes of working as an archivist in museums in the future, but I’m also interested in learning the trade skills like the ones you’ve listed. Thank you so much for posting this, your insight is absolutely invaluable!

Me constantly refreshing my subscription tab every Sunday morning waiting for a new video!!!!

It’s really nice to see how you learned and got where you are but it’s also sweet to see how you and Abby came together

Thank you for sharing. I loved hearing your story and never stop learning!

I’m looking into completely different fields as I enter uni but it’s actually really sweet and encouraging to hear people talking about their different paths to jobs they love! Love to hear it!

Thank you for sharing your journey today! I find it so helpful for anyone who wants to pursue a career in any creative field and the path isn’t as clear or straight forward as in other professions. Honestly though for any person in any field because life is full of diversions and discovering and decisions and it is not about obtaining a certain singular destination or prize, it is to embrace the journey. Really enjoy your content and stories and projects!

Just read your whole thesis right after you mentioned it!! it’s amazing and it was great to get an actual peek at Sarah’s life. Your repo shoes are fabulous!

I loved hearing your story! My grandmother and mother both worked in the trade shops in Colonial Williamsburg, and even though I live on the west coast now it's great to hear about how so many people are working to keep history alive in CW and elsewhere! I look forward to reading your thesis too :)

Thank you for your willingness to share your story and your knowledge, it is so appreciated!

Thanks so much for sharing all this backstory. I enjoy your videos so much. You are a wonderful teacher about the history of the garments, traditional sewing techniques, etc., plus you have such a good sense of humor about it all. I particularly enjoyed your shoemaking videos. That's something I never knew would interest me!

I loved listening to your professional story! And your work is always so interesting and beautiful. As someone with a straightforward professional path (uni, graduation, work) I sometimes forget, that with some professions it’s different. And more difficult. Hope you can continue with doing what fulfils you professionally!

I had somehow missed that you were fulltime on KZread. I am glad you are, I look forward to your videos each week, whether it is a project or more knowledge I have learnt so much from you in the last 12 months or so!

I just love your channel. Your videos bring me such joy. Thank you!

Thank you for making this video, it's nice to know more about you, as I'm not on Instagram for your lives, or things like that. I think you're amazingly knowledgeable and graceful in the presentation of your craft. I hope you continue on, and I wish you all the best!

Thank you, your journey was fascinating, we appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us!

Thank you so much for this video. I’m getting to that point in my educational career where it’s time to be making these career decisions and this kinda guidance was so helpful in terms of thinking about how I want to make use of the jobs and resources I have access to now!

Thank you for this video. I have always been someone who floats from opportunity to opportunity just wanting to learn and explore what is out there. Sometimes I get down about it when I compare myself to other people who have very solid careers in one place, but this made me feel a lot better. Life is about learning and connecting.

It is so exciting to learn about your journey! Sometimes I think we get caught up with the way our journey is supposed to go rather than opening up our minds to other things! Thanks for sharing! :)

LOVE what you do and you have educated me and made me rea like I can still learn, even though I think my brain has gone mushy in my 50's! I love listening to you while I sew!

I've been sewing for about 60 years and yet I have learned so much from you and Abby, it's been wonderful! And learning more about shoe making, a fascinating field, honestly (difficult feet, too). Fashion history has been a love of mine for so many years and the way the information is growing through people like you guys is just amazing. Please keep telling us about what you do.

I loved this! Thanks for sharing!

I also grew up surrounded by history and the Southwest history. Going to college really peaked my interest too. I'm going to Colonial Williamsburg this Fall. Pretty exciting. I'm so happy for you that you are using your talents and love what you do! Love your channel!

I ID with so many of your motivations. I do like you did when I can. I go and do as many workshops/try to learn as much as I possibly can. Thank you for sharing how one can attend historical sewing workshops I’ve been really wanting to

Chirp, Chirp! Thank you, this was so helpful! I went to Ball State as a dancer, but now I'm looking for work in Museums/History and restarting my sewing journey.

What a fabulous vid. So personal, but also so informative. I am so interested in what you do and I love the fact you are not tied to one particular era, you have interests over the last three hundred years or more. You make history come alive. I’m a history nut but we don’t have the history of the common folk that much, your remaking of their wardrobes brings their lives to life. Thank you. Please produce more I love your vids.

OHHH My god!!! You said "American Duchess" and my brain said, "WAIT, was that Nicole in Burnadette Banner's video about getting her own shoe made???? As I was feverishly typing the words into my search box, I thought, "noooo, it couldn't be. LO and Behold, there you were showing off the brand new and gorgeous "Burnadette". That video was the first time I ever saw you in a video and now I am binge watching all of your videos. You are amazing and have inspired me to continue with my dream of sewing historical costumes. Thank you!

As someone who is about to graduate with their BA and start their MSc in Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture this fall, this video is something I absolutely needed, so thank you! I will likely decide on my material of expertise during my master's, but I'm considering making it fabric. Seeing just how many options are out there, what opportunities I might run into etc, I can't help but be so excited for the future. It's often difficult to imagine what the future looks like in a field that has developed only so recently, so thank you so much, I will cherish this video and watch it many more times I'm sure

Loving this kind of vid that made me learn more things about my fashion historian😁☺️

Such an impeccable resume! Kudos for finding your passion and make us all part of it so grateful YT recommended you.

Thank you for inspiring me. I’ve recently bought a sewing machine and have been teaching myself to sew. And it’s because of you.

You. Are. Amazing. I loved learning about your resume, perspective and education. Thanks!

Such good advice, Nicole. Thank you for sharing your story.

You are amazing, and you've become an informal mentor to me in my sewing. Thanks for all you do, and thanks for continuing to learn and share.

I don't think I've ever wanted to experience someone's life so much before! Gosh, this line up of jobs and learning is just fantastic and I am so going to look into a bunch of these things in my area.....if they exist around here (moving isn't an option). I LOVE your content! Please never stop!