Historic Seamstress - Spadina House

TORONTO, ON- AUGUST 17 - Some of the cushions and drapes and bedspreads on display at Toronto historic sites are made by Tracy Gorman. Tracy Gorman sews away above what was the Austin family's garage with a view of their home, Spadina House. On staff with the City of Toronto, Gorman takes care of the 2700 costume pieces at the museums. In her 23 years with the city she has made close to 1000 of those reproduction costume pieces that range from 19th century dresses and jackets to shirt and petticoats to caps and neckerchiefs and cushions and bedspreads. Over the course of a year Gorman, who has Bachelor's degree in Home Economics specializing in Clothing and Textiles from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, will make about 50 new pieces for the collection and perform alterations and repairs to another 20. The scope of her needle isn't limited to costumes, she also makes household textiles as part of museum re-restoration work. Her working includes sourcing historically accurate materials for the costumes. She does this through books on historic costume, researching artifacts from the time period through museum's online catalogues that include images and descriptions and referring to diaries and writings from the time. "In this way you can figure out what fabrics were most commonly in use, which patterns & colours were most popular for the time." says Gorman. "The most common fabric used in our costumes is cotton. Next comes linen and wool. Synthetic fabrics are avoided as much as possible.," Gorman adds. The uniforms at Fort York present a different challenge, The regimental buttons & lace need to be custom made and the madder red Melton cloth for the coatees is very specific and not readily available in stores. These items are ordered from a Canadian company who specializes in military reproductions. at the Spadina House in Toronto. August 17, 2016. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)