Check Out Emily Frank’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Frank.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love of historical clothing and costuming started with the American Girl books and dolls, along with a mother who was willing to teach an eager six years old how to use a sewing machine! Throughout my childhood, we made many matching outfits for my Kit Kitteridge doll and myself. In the years past that, my interests shifted to living history events, particularly set during the American Revolutionary War, and I fell in love with a new era and a way to share my love of historical sewing with the world. With the outbreak of COVID-19 canceling any foreseeable events, I turned to Instagram and Tiktok to share my work and teach fashion history to anyone who wanted to listen, and I’ve been fortunate enough to grow a small following on both platforms who cheer me on and inspire me to keep creating!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had a relatively easy time of growing my following and spreading costuming inclusivity amongst the growing community, and I recognize that I’ve been privileged enough to have an easy time of it as the majority of historical costumers are young, white women, often from conservative backgrounds. One huge problem within the costuming community right now is gatekeeping, whether it be people judging newcomers for using synthetic fabrics or insisting BIPOC costumers only portray “accurate” roles at events; I’m happy to say that myself and the majority of the online costuming world are banded together in fighting back against these classist, racist ideals, and are ensuring that everyone who wants to get into this hobby has the opportunity to have as easy a time as I did in joining in!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in 18th century costuming centered around the last quarter of the 1700s. When I portray my living history persona at events, I’m the town’s milliner and dress shop owner, so it’s absolutely imperative that I know all the ins and outs of female-presenting clothing for that era and anything else that guests might ask about! One of my favourite things to talk about are sewing chatelaines, which were wearable “toolkits” of a sort that sewists would wear at their waist that stored scissors, needle cases, thread wax, and any number of small tools that could be kept close at hand!

Any big plans?
I lost my day job to the pandemic, and I’ve taken that loss as an opportunity to transition my career into something that brings me more joy and fulfillment than my previous job. I’ve been accepting commissions for historical and historical-inspired pieces throughout this past year, and I’m in the process of developing my own website and ready-made historical accessories for anyone who wants to get in on the fun of dressing up but maybe doesn’t have the time or means to commit to sewing themselves!

Pricing:

• Custom made pair of stays – $400
• Pair of 18th century mitts – $125
• Embroidered stocking garters – $80
• Chatelaines – $90

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: sewingfrankly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewingfrankly/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCj3CQhsGQ7kHIXmNT4OL_Qw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@seamslikeemily?lang=en

Image Credits:
Photos of blue floral jacket outfit and chatelaine – Tony Reypak @tonyreypak on Instagram Flat lay of jacket in progress taken by myself All other photos taken by Gary Mathieson – @garymathiesonphotos on Instagram

 

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