My name is Maria and I work from The Curious Cottage, my tiny home in the heart of the historical Minster town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire. At its core the cottage dates back to Elizabethan times and is the perfect setting to inspire me in my work.
I have traded in Vintage Fashion and Textiles for many years and with the beautiful fabrics, embroideries, lace and haberdashery I have collected, I now resew and remake fascinating items.
As I hold each original piece in my hands, I begin to wonder about the person whose skill produced such work. Who were they? What life did they lead?
The item itself can give many clues to the maker’s identity. Often theirs was a natural talent, not dependent on technology or money, but simply using local resources available and learning their skills at home, from family, friends and teachers.
By revisiting their work, I hope to honour all the talented seamstresses that have gone before me and to share with you a curious glimpse into the past.