Dressing the World

When I was 9, I was convinced I'd be a veterinarian-ballerina-opera singer. When I was 16, I had turned to the dark side and was planning a future in law. When I was 18, having taken my first law class, I switched (quite quickly, and with no reservations) to a theatre major, thinking I'd become a famous stage-actress. Finding I had work-study money and could apply for a job in the theatre, I determined I would work in the scene shop but somehow managed to nab an interview in the costume shop instead. Having not sewn a single thing successfully since the age of 13 (and I'm using the term "successfully" rather loosely), there was a fair amount of "creative license" taken on my part when discussing my skill set in the interview. The heavens were shining on me that day and I nabbed the job. Never had I imagined a life in costume design. Sure, I had sketched fashion design ideas since I could remember. I had made Barbie clothes throughout the years. I had loved dress-up time with a fierce passion. "Prettydress" was one word to me for years. But somehow I had never, not once, thought any of that could parlay into a future career.

My first project in the costume shop was a 17th century frock coat. From scratch. In velvet.

Ultimately, I found I had a natural talent and deep love for fashion, sewing, and costume design. I had found my place, my passion. I continued to act though-out college, but costume design took center stage from that point on.

Upon graduating, I worked in various community and high school theatres. Passion was lost, experiences experienced, stories for future telling accrued, and I found myself suddenly working in college admissions and sewing sporadically and only for myself (or for good friends who convinced me to come out of hiding and do a show). I was unhappy, hating my job, hating my commute, hating it all.

I finally had enough. I took the plunge and decided to quit the day job and start living the life I'd dreamed. Thus Trapped In Time Designs was born. I haven't looked back.

The name, Trapped In Time Designs, stems from my deep love of all things vintage, retro and old. I've never felt quite at home in the modern age, never quite felt like I fit in. I love vintage films, books, styles, and furnishings. I had often mused that I was a 1950s housewife trapped in the modern age.

I work in my home studio on an industrial JUKI machine. I also have a 1946 Singer, a 1970s-era Singer and a 1990s-era Bernina--the '46 Singer is my favorite of the bunch. I love that I'm creating beautiful garments on the same machine that my grandmother used for years.

I'm a one-woman show, designing, creating, shipping, marketing--all of it. I take great pride in my business and the quality of my product. I take great joy from talking with customers and creating the perfect garment for them. My designs go on some grand adventures!

I love my business. Sure, I'm pretty much covered in thread every day and the local post office employees don't know quite what to do with me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm happy, I love what I do, I love creating. I get to play dress up everyday with people all over the world! What's not to love about THAT?