Snapdragon Designs

Neat little writeup in the local paper about our 1850s dress project!

Dress historian reproduces Leah Diemer Grant’s dress – SW Messenger HomeNewsDress historian reproduces Leah Diemer Grant’s dress Dress historian reproduces Leah Diemer Grant’s dressMay 12, 2026News By Angela ChaffinNews Correspondent Leah Diemer Grant moved through the house of her prosperous family on Crushed Stone Pike in a brown print dress, by all indication...

Now that it's been officially announced, I guess I can say something here :) I am so excited to share that I've been accepted as a presenter at this year's Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (ASDP) annual conference! I will be teaching a class on corsetmaking techniques geared toward professional sewists. I'm very excited to share my, ahem, very slight and definitely not at all obsessive interest in making high-quality, well-fitted corsets with my colleagues and the next generation of creators!

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Now that it’s installed, I can finally show you what we’ve been working on! We were honored to be asked to reproduce this ca. 1850 dress in the collection of the Grant-Sawyer Home in Grove City. We made the dress in 2 sizes, 2 linen aprons, and a corset for display in the museum and docent wear. This one will be permanently displayed in the Grant-Sawyer home while the other will live at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum. Go check them out if you get the chance!

Proudly keeping the art alive over here, and setting aside time to teach the next generation as well

Tailors age out of the workforce even as demand for their skills grows The ranks of tailors, dressmakers and custom sewers are shrinking in the U.S. even as their skills and services are finding fresh demand.

If anyone in my local professional contacts wants a skilled, motivated student intern for a few weeks, I have 2 personal recommendations for you from my own students but I'm sure there are also many more I don't know about!

ACPA Community professionals - we need your help!

Our seniors are searching for job shadow sites for their 3-week Senior Professional Experiences. If you or someone you know is able to mentor a senior from April 27-May 16th, please email [email protected].

Step back in time at the Grove City Library! 👗

Join us for a special evening with Dress Historian Julie Burnsides Diaz. Julie will dive into the elegance of early Victorian fashion and share her journey of re-creating an original dress from one of Grove City’s early residents, Leah Diemer Grant.

The dress will be permanently displayed at the Grant-Sawyer Home located on Haughn Road.

📅 When: Tuesday, April 28 | 6:30–8 p.m.
📍 Where: 3959 Broadway, Grove City

Presented by the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society. Don't miss this unique look at our local heritage at this America250 event!

For more details, visit bit.ly/GrantDressReveal

New to sewing—or ready to brush up on the basics? This beginner-friendly project guide covers essential tools, materials, and techniques, plus practical projects you can use and wear. It’s free all February, sponsored by Bernina. Follow the link to start learning now: https://www.threadsmagazine.com/project-guides/learn-to-sew

Have you ever wondered what those markings on a sewing pattern actually mean? How about why the pattern you made doesn't look like the photo, or why your pattern size isn't the same size you buy in a store? There's a class for that! Come to Grove City on Tuesday, February 10th, and spend a couple hours learning to decipher commercial patterns with me! We'll talk about what you need to get a great result from your next pattern adventure, including how to spot and avoid AI-generated patterns.

Photo is "Seamstress" by artist Maggie Rudy