Miss Page Blue Mountain’s Dressmaker 1920’s – 1970’s ‘Hearts broken after war’

Miss Violet Florence Page circa 1920's

Miss Page came to my attention through Peter and Laraine Staton of Hazelbrook Cottage Antiques, Peter thought I’d like the ‘Marriage Licence’ dress (see below right) as I’m a marriage celebrant, Offbeat Ceremonies, as well as a dressmaker.

The Marriage License Dress

I was very curious about this unusual costume and the woman who made it. Peter offered me a battered cardboard suitcase and a few garbage bags of ‘rags’ and other memorabilia from an estate sale, this turned into a treasure trove of a dressmaker's working life from the 20^th century.   

Miss Violet Florence Page, Blue Mountains Dressmaker 1920’s – 1970’s, and they were all about to be tossed to the tip.

In the suitcase and plastic bags were gowns made by her in the 1920’s to 1940’s, dress patterns from the 20's to the 50's, letters from clients, friends and the romantic story of a lost love. 

The March Miss Page 1920's Gowns Exhibition

I felt that she needed to be remembered, so I decided to host an exhibition of the 1920's gowns as part of the The Roaring Twenties .... and All That Jazz Festival in March 2011. My event caught the eye of Ann Beveridge of the Daily Telegraph and she researched and published the romantic and sad ‘Hearts broken after war’ story of unrequited love in WWII (Saturday Telegraph, 12/2/2011, p.36, History Section)

This article provided me with contacts from women who had had wedding, bridesmaids and evening dresses made by Miss Page. These women offered up their stories of the dressmaker and of their special gowns, which provided more insight to Miss Page's career and life both before and after WWII.

1920's Afternoon Tea Dance and Miss Page Exhibition. My gown on the far right is made from a 1920's pattern that had belonged to Miss Page

 We are planning another exhibition in this winter 2011. We will exhibit all the gowns in the collection, gowns made by a talented local dressmaker, at a price that was affordable to her clientele, not Channel and Dior, but beautiful and stylish none-the-less. Along with the gowns will be memorabilia, letters and patterns.

I'm still collecting information on Miss Page and if you have any information about her, perhaps a gown, or photos that you’d like to pass onto the Miss Page collection for future display please contact me on 02 4701 9345 or by email

Gift vouchers

Do you want to give a unique gift for Christmas or a special birthday?

Gift vouchers for courses with ‘The Tailor’s Apprentice’ are available directly from me.

Gift voucher payments can be made through PayPal and by Direct Bank Deposit Australia Only).

My courses are unique, we work on a real project, its not about 'learn how create a sample'.

Glamour corsets and bustiers

A Renaissance rope corset

Make a corset that fits you, not the manikin in the store, one that will be comfortable, glamorous and in fabric that you choose, a unique and beautiful addition to your costume wardrobe.

The course is based on a Victorian corset, but other eras can be made on negotiation, such as Regency, Tudor 'Pair of Bodies', 17th and 18th century styles.

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me)

Time: A weekend course, Saturday and Sunday, lunch provided and morning and afternoon tea on both days.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course.

Course cost: $350 per person, $450 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $600 for individual tuition.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

Heirloom wedding gowns

Make a perfect gown for your perfect day

Create your own heirloom wedding gown, a gown to pass on through the family. 



This course is perfect for the DIY and sustainable bride.


Together we will make your dream wedding gown, I will mentor you over 12 weeks through the process, together we will select pattern, purchase fabric, make a toile for a perfect fitting gown, then create the gown and all your wedding dress accessories, veil, garter, etc.


You will learn as you go and will have the delight of a self-made wedding gown.



Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 12 weeks, fours hours each week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me)
 
Course cost: $1,500 for individual tuition

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

 

Jane Austen Regency gown

In this course you will create a beautiful outfit from the early Regency (early 19th century), think Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, all the heroines in Jane Austen’s novels.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tution.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

Contact me for more information: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

 

Make your dream gown

This gown was made in 10 weeks

A 10-week course, four hours class time each week, total 40 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I create a real gown, the gown you've always wanted, you learn new techniques and refresh old ones and I help you the whole way.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely gown and will have improved your seamstress abilities.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tution.

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my courses.

contact me enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

A vintage dress

Together we will make a beautiful vintage outfit from last century, think flapper or cool 30’s sophisticate, the fabulous lean but beautiful fashions of WWII and the glorious gowns of the post war years, the  gorgeous gowns of the '50's and then the funky fashion of the Carnaby Street.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I will create a vintage gown that will be beautiful, fit you well and be period perfect.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely vintage gown and improved your seamstress abilities, plus have a great deal of fun!

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Skill level: Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills. 

Time: 10 weeks, four hours per week

Where: My Blue Mountains studio or in your home (depends on distance from the Blue Mountains, please chat about this with me) 

Course cost: $650 per person, $750 if run in your home (need a minimum of two students), $1,200 for individual tuition.

 

A gift voucher can be purchased for any of my my courses.

contact me for more information:

enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com.au or 02 4701 9345

Bi-Centennial Crossing of the Blue Mountains 2013 celebrations

In 2013 the Blue Mountains will be celebrating the Bi-Centennial of Crossing of the Blue Mountains and there will be a reenactment of the crossing with everyone in period dress. 

In this course you will create a beautiful outfit suitable for the re-enactment of the 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains, this is the time of the early Regency, think Elizabeth Bennett, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, all heroines in Jane Austen’s novels.

You could also make your husband an appropriate and period correct walking outfit instead.

This is a 12-week course; four hours class time each week, total 48 hours tuition time for the course.

Suited to the beginner, novice or expert sewer wishing to extend their skills.

You and I will create an early 19^th century gown, you will learn 19^th century sewing techniques and combine them with 21^st century tailoring and I help you the whole way.

At the end of the course you will have a lovely historic gown and improved your seamstress abilities, plus have a great deal of fun!

Where: My Blue Mountains studio, courses can also be run in your home, please contact me for more details.

Spaces very limited, only 3 – 4 students in any course

Course cost: $750 per person, 4 hours per week, over 10 weeks, that's just $18.75 an hour to create an authentic gown or walking suit of the early colony.

Contact me for an enrollment form by:

email: enquiries@thetailorsapprentice.com or 
phone: 02 4701 9345