About Us
Our Mission - The goal of At the Sign of the Golden Scissors has always been to provide the highest quality products for museums and individuals wishing to create an accurate 18th century wardrobe. Historical accuracy is emphasized and hand sewing is always encouraged. Although the business changed hands in 2021, that goal remains unchanged. In addition to 18th century sewing patterns, kits, fabrics, ready-made and custom made items, the Golden Scissors also provides a selection of workshops and special programs/demonstrations for museums and/or living history sites. Please contact us to discuss possibilities. atthesignofthegoldenscissors@gmail.com
PASSING OF THE SCISSORS
We are pleased to announce the sale of the Larkin & Smith pattern line and At the Sign of the Golden Scissors sutlery to Emily Stringham of Emily's Vintage Visions. We had decided to sell the pattern line a while ago but wanted to make sure that it would stay “in the family” and be in capable hands. Emily has taken almost every workshop we ever offered and is a skilled seamstress and accomplished historical researcher. We can’t imagine a finer person to have sold the business to.
- Hallie and Steph, August 2021
Emily is committed to offering the same high-quality products customers have come to know and trust from At the Sign of the Golden Scissors. Emily is a skilled seamstress and accomplished historical researcher with years of experience in the living history community. She has a background in independent museum and textile studies, including many years working as an interpreter and research assistant for a small living history museum. Emily is a graduate of New England College, Class of 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and is a member of the Costume Society of America. Seeking out those nerdy little details that really make a living history impression come alive has become a life-long passion. The wonderful thing about studying historical clothing is that there is always something new to learn.
Emily has always been passionate about women's history. One of her main living history impressions outside of the 18th century is a member of the WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. These extraordinary women served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II. Through educational displays and living history demonstrations, Emily helps keep their stories alive.
At the Sign of the Golden Scissors was originally founded by independent 18th century clothing researchers, Hallie Larkin and Stephanie Smith. For a number of years, these ladies provided the living history community with the highest quality, historically accurate sewing patterns for recreating 18th century clothing and accessories. They generously shared their collective knowledge through a wide variety of workshops, lectures and demonstrations. Their hard work has allowed numerous people to expand their own knowledge and understanding of 18th century clothing construction. In August of 2021, Hallie and Stephanie sold the business to explore new ventures. We thank them for their contributions and dedication to the living history community, their research and of course the creation of the amazing line of Larkin & Smith sewing patterns.
Study session during an 18th century English Gown workshop. Emily maintains a small, but growing, collection of original antique textiles. Photo credit, Erin Jarrett
Emily demonstrates how to make a rolled hem during an 18th century cap workshop. Photo Credit, Tom Larsen
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