After earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising and design I went to work in the land of retail. Turned a corner and ended up in the world of manufacturing - eventually becoming a VP and earning an MBA. Next corner > and I found myself in the the rarified air of the university where I taught for 13 years. During that time I also returned to my roots, designing for our local theatre programs. And then once again life took a turn. This time turning my love of creating and working with beautiful things with fabric from Avocation to Vocation! I welcome you to the journey with me!

As part of that journey I studied and cultured a love and appreciation for the work done by our foremothers in particular - whether to be worn, adorn the space we live in, or be used as new things were created or tasks performed in every day life. The handwork done by these women just in the normal course of things is often really exquisite. Additionally, my theatrical work required a knowledge of historical garments and accessories. Over the years I've created many reproductions pieces for the theatre and reeanactors in a wide range of time periods from the 1500s to modern day.

My involvement in the theatre world has provided entrance into stocks of clothing that is both vintage and antique, military to millinery! I dig it out, clean it, repair it (without altering the original), research to back up the details, and finally bring it to you via this shop!

A colleague once said to me "History is what happens while we are all busy living our daily lives". The vintage items you will find in Patten's Attic Treasures are the costumes and set dressing of those daily lives.

Vintage isn't my only passion however. My shop Patten Creations carries that knowledge and love into the present as I create new items to be worn and adorn the home.

I attended Central Michigan University in their relatively new (at the time) Clothing & Textiles: Fashion Merchandising and Design program. For practicality I added a minor in Business Administration. My roommates and sisters in Phi Chi Theta became used to either hearing the sewing machine running, finding fabrics and design sketches strewn about, or seeing me with fabric and needle in hand...and I'm sure they will never forget the seemingly millions of roses sewn by hand for the walking, talking pink satin birthday cake featured in CMU's production of She Stoops to Conquer. My first major historic design. I later earned an MBA which comes in handy when wearing the business hat for my business.

The added bonus from my days at CMU was meeting my husband Greg. And yep, we're still together with him functioning as my tech support for this website among so many other wonderful characteristics! :) We have 2 grown children - one finishing her university studies and the other pursuing a career in technical theatre. Occasionally we work together.

With so many years in contact with theatre companies, others in the fashion industry, and well...just people in general...I have made contacts that have allowed me to acquire several wonderful collections of vintage items forming the basis of this shop. And, having sewn for over 40 years I have a things of my own that it time to pass on - thus some of the supply items and destash.