Have you ever imagined wearing a 19th-century gown tailored to your own body?

Join us for the launch of 19th-Century Patterns for the Modern Body, a new publication by costume designer and historian M. Elaine MacKay.

In this richly illustrated guide, MacKay shares the techniques behind adapting historically accurate garments for a modern fit. Drawing on decades of experience, she demystifies the construction of period silhouettes. Through the crinolines and bustles of the 1850s, to the gored skirts and swept hems of the elegant 1890s, MacKay guides you through creating a historically accurate garment perfectly fitted for the modern wearer.

Through clear diagrams and step-by-step instruction, the book promises to guide readers in adapting pattern blocks to suit a range of contemporary body shapes while maintaining historical authenticity. Readers will also be able to see several pieces of Agnes’s own collection displayed and beautifully documented in the pages of this book.

M. Elaine MacKay began her career as a theatre tailor and cutter before focusing on historical dress design. She has written extensively on fashion from the 15th through 19th centuries and has taught Aesthetics of Historical Dress at Dalhousie University. At Agnes Etherington Art Centre, she curated Beyond the Silhouette: Fashion and the Women of Historic Kingston and held the Isabel Bader Fellowship in Textile Conservation and Research. Drawing on her intimate, expert knowledge of the regional Dress Collection at Agnes, MacKay’s new book 19th-Century Patterns for the Modern Body contains in-depth analyses and patterns for several historical dresses worn right here in Kingston.

Book Launch
19th-Century Patterns for the Modern Body: A Step-by-Step Guide
M. Elaine MacKay

When: 21 July 2026 – 7 PM
Where: Novel Idea, 156 Princess St, Kingston, ON