Meet Sister Clark

I joined the church as a child, and wore out my Primary album, playing the pioneer songs over and over. I learned to sew about age nine, and began focusing my interest on the mid-19^th century about 1993.

In 1996, my husband David finally convinced me that not everyone could “translate” 19^th century dressmaking instructions into clothing, and I began sewing custom historic reproductions for the living history community. This quickly expanded to teaching others 19^th century dressmaking techniques.

Today, I continue to research the wide range of clothing systems and technologies from that era, and share the information through articles, clothing patterns, and direct instruction at historic sites and museums across the US. You'll find more information on my mid-century teaching and research at www.ElizabethStewartClark.com . I’m excited to share my love and respect for our pioneer ancestors, and, with my family, enjoy dressing for living history experiences as often as possible.

If you’re in the northern portion of the “Mormon Corridor” and need a motivational fireside speaker to kick off your area’s trek planning, please let me know.

About the Contents of this site

Copyrights & You:

The majority of copyright infringements come about innocently. As Church members professing Articles of Faith, we believe in upholding all righteous laws of the land in addition to obeying all of God’s Commandments. Illegal use of patterns contravenes both the Commandments (Thou Shalt Not Steal), and copyright laws around the world.

I firmly believe that donning accurate reproductions of our ancestors’ wardrobes enhances our modern experience, and helps us connect to our gospel heritage. I believe that whatever talents and skills God has blesses us with should be used to build up His work on earth. Providing this site, patterns, and articles (as well as personal help and encouragement) is one way I have found to give a portion of my blessings back to God, in gratitude.

The patterns and projects presented are the result of my research and study. I retail full legal copyrights and offer them free to the public, with the following stipulations:

Keep them free
Photocopy them intact and unchanged.
To share via the Internet, link directly to http://www.mormontrek.net. Do not copy site contents to your own site.
No pattern or article may be used to make items for sale, regardless of profit or quantities.
Patterns and articles may be photocopied or printed in whatever quantities needed by individuals, wards, stakes, or historic sites, and distributed free of charge for educational, non-commercial use.

Frequently Asked Questions

· The article I wanted wouldn’t open up! What’s wrong?

All our articles and patterns are in PDF format. You will need a recent copy of the FREE Adobe Acrobat PDF reader installed on your computer in order to open and read the files. You can download and install this program free of charge; click the Adobe Acrobat button at the top of the Pioneer Pack page.

· Can I (or my class, my ward, my stake, my site) photocopy these patterns and articles?

YES. You can make as many photocopies as you need! Copy or print them just as we provide them, with the copyright permission at the top.

· Can I save a copy of these patterns and articles to a computer disk or drive?

YES. It’s fine to save the files for future printing or reading. If it’s been more than six months since you saved them, be sure to check this website for updated articles and patterns.

Can I sell things I’ve made using these patterns and articles as a starting point?

NO. Elizabeth retains all legal rights to profit from her work (she owns the copyright on every article and pattern here.) You may not use these patterns or articles as a starting point for any item that will be sold (whether in person, in a gift shop, on-line, at auction, for barter—it’s all selling!). Please respect the law of the land as it pertains to copyright and permissions. If you have a question about legal use of site items, please contact us (click the Contact button in the side navigation bar). We’ll be happy to help you meet your goal within the scope of the law.

Can I put copies of these patterns and articles on my Internet site?

NO. The best way to share these patterns and articles is to link directly to our main site page, http://www.mormontrek.net . This ensures that everyone has access to the most recent versions of patterns, articles, and research.

I’m brand new to historic sewing—can I handle these patterns?

YES. Any person with a little determination can learn to sew historic clothing very nicely. You make your wardrobe even if you don’t own a sewing machine! You’ll need to learn a straight stitch by machine, or a running stitch by hand—everything you need to make can be done with those two stitches. Elizabeth is happy to encourage and help you along the way, too.

Do I really need a huge skirt and petticoat layers?

YES. Historic clothing works in a system. If you go with a 60" wide skirt, you'll be trying to hike in the equivalent of a sarong. You can't take a full stride, and are more apt to trip. That's dangerous. The full skirts of the mid-19th century do allow a full stride, and then some. Adding equally full-cut petticoat layers helps to support the skirt; two or three layers work together and move as one, which helps prevent them wrapping around your legs with every breeze. The other reason you want them: they're really quite attractive. Because dresses and petticoats are fitted at the waist, and very full around the lower body, you look very tidy and trim. And full skirts make dancing even more fun!

I’m not sure about one of the sewing steps. Can you help me?

YES. Please sign up and post your question on the Trek Tech Support forum. If you’re shy, email Elizabeth at: Elizabeth@MormonTrek.net