Past Board Member: Evelyn Owens, Workshop Coordinator

Why costuming? What brought you here?

I’ve been playing dress up, wearing costumes and performing on stage for as long as I can remember and even before. The best part of acting for me was always the costume. I believe that once you stepped into that costume you became that person.

When I stepped away from theater to go to college I was looking for other ways that I could “dress up.” I was a docent at the Old Sacramento School House Museum simply because they would teach tourists and students about the life of a child back in history while in costume. Albeit “Ye Oldey Timey.”

From being a docent I stepped in Civil War reenacting, because costumes. Big, fluffy, full princess costumes. About a few years into reenacting I realized that costumes are expensive to buy. However I didn’t have any experience with sewing and thought that I couldn’t do it. While trying to be more authentic in my reenacting I posted a picture of myself on a Civil War board. One of the first people to respond not only happened to live around the area I worked but was also a member of the Guild. I started learning how to sew through her and started going to Guild events with her. My first event was Moulin Rouge and I had only been sewing at that time for a few months. I became a Guild member then too because it was better to buy a membership and a ticket than to buy a non-member ticket.  However, I loved it and the group I was with were so welcoming. So I’ve been here ever since.

What’s your costuming focus?

I guess you could say my costuming focus is Civil War, but even then I don’t sew exclusively for that! I like to see the events that the Guild has planned and then sew for them. These clothes I then take down to Costume College.

One of the major things I do focus on while I’m costuming is being as historically accurate as I can in the amount of time I have. I love feeling like I could step back in time or out from a portrait.

Do you do anything else crafty or artistic?

Of course! Who doesn’t! I love staying active. I’m a dancer and take classes for that. I’ve also been seen in local community theaters. If you live around Martinez you’ll see me on stage at the Campbell Theater. I can also sing and have been in choirs and taken voice lessons. I also like to take photos and color. Although these last two do not get nearly the amount of attention that everything else gets.

What’s your day job?

I am a preschool teacher by day so my artistic side comes to work with me. It’s not really so much a job as a lifestyle. Other teachers… you know what I’m talking about.

What was the first Costume you made? Is there a picture?

The first thing I ever sewed was my corset. Yes there are multiple pictures of it. It’s also falling apart after only a few years. The first full dress that I made was actually an effort of three of us. It was my Francaise for Outlander. There are lots of pictures and I’m so proud of all of my efforts in helping create that dress. It was hand draped to my body. Shout out to Katherine Wade and Teresa Liao for helping with that amazing dress. It really was a group effort. In fact since I’ve been sewing for only about 2 ½ years most of the costumes I’ve made have had lots of help. It is now that I’m wanting to start doing more on my own.

What’s on your sewing table now?

The current project is a 1950s mock dirndl out of Hogwarts fabric for a trip to Universal after Costume College in July. Here’s hoping it gets finished in time.

What was your first/most memorable costuming disaster/learning moment?

So about a year ago I tried to sew a circle skirt from a pattern all on my own. It’s currently still sitting in the naughty corner and is a UFO. I tore that circle skirt to shreds while trying to make it. It’s so horrible. One day I might try again.

Costume you’re most proud of?

Other than my Francaise (see above photo), my striped Civil War silk dress. I worked so hard on that one and I’m so proud of how it looks and the way I did the curved seams in the back.

What’s your Holy Grail costuming project? The one you dream of doing?

Everything I work on is a dream come true. I’d love to have some historically accurate adventure wear. I’m making plans right now for a 1920s Women’s Aviation Outfit. Stay tuned.

What’s your costuming Kryptonite, the one thing you just can’t master?

For someone being brand new to sewing I’m making progress on most things. There are still some tricky things and things that are fidgety. I have a hard time with those. As well as the zipper foot. I also can’t master the speed in which everyone else seems to be able to do things. This takes time though.

Tell us one (Or two or three) things about you that others might not know.

I can ride horses. When I reenact the civil war I dress as a man and I ride the horses that bring the cannon onto the field. I will try anything adventurous once. I’ve been on the news and interviewed for local newspapers. I won a Shelley Award for costuming a play thanks to the GBACG.