| one-of-a-kind custom designs for weddings, dress-up, and fun by Laurie Tavan, and her painfully high standards |
My Sewing Background
I was taught hand sewing at a young age and, like many young girls, started designing and sewing clothing for my dolls. It wasn't until after college that I rediscovered my interest in sewing and design. I began creating dolls and stuffed animals, and then discovered dressmaking (for real people!). Now, not a day goes by when I don't spend at least some time sewing or working on the design of a garment. I have worked as a stitcher and finisher for a bay area dancewear designer, and I am a consulting expert for the online costuming magazine Your Wardrobe Unlock'd. I taught classes in costuming at the 2008 and 2009 Renaissance Symposium, and have won awards for workmanship and design of my historical costumes, including the Realm of Venus 2009 Gold Rose award for historical Italian costume. Though I have been patterning, sourcing materials, stitching, and finishing my own designs for nearly a decade, I'm still learning new techniques and details every day. I am always looking to learn more and have started my journey to explore museums and travel opportunities this year.
History
I grew up in New York and after high school I studied at Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution. At Cornell I discovered an interest in Ornithology, which led me to volunteer work as manager of a wildlife shelter in the Lake Tahoe, California area, to volunteer work in bird banding at the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, and to employment as an avian veterinary assistant at For The Birds with Dr. Fern Van Sant, one of the nation's top avian veterinarians. I now devote my time to my activities and sewing, but spend plenty of time with my Sun Conure, Percival. Growing up I was always torn between studying art and studying the sciences. I've been lucky to have opportunities to enjoy both.