This year I’ve been honored to participate in read-throughs and a press screening of a new play celebrating dirndls and German heritage. Last spring a long-time student of mine introduced me to Kristen Caven who was finalizing an original play called The Dirndl Diaspora. It was written to celebrate the long running Oaktoberfest in Oakland, Read More
Recently we had interesting discussions on a Facebook post I did about dirndl beginnings and how they are “back in the news” so to speak. Here’s my post: Did you know the dirndl is a “countrified” and fashionable version of Bavarian folk wear known as Tracht? In the late 19th century city women wanted more Read More
As with all fashion – historical and modern – it’s important to recognize silhouette and the overall effect of line in the fashion. If anything is needed more for the “proper” dirndl look it is the support of the bust line with the appropriate undergarment. It doesn’t really matter what style of bodice in the Read More
I was fairly new in my dirndl sewing when this project came about quite impromptu. Wandering through the fabric section of Hobby Lobby, as one does, and stopping all of a sudden because a lovely material catches your eye. The thought had been in my head to make a white or pink dirndl dress with Read More
Welcome to my (relatively) new site with all things dirndl related! I’m so happy you’re here and are interested in learning more. So, exactly what is a dirndl? The classic ensemble is the fashionable version of folk wear in the Bavaria, Germany and Austria regions of Europe. The “fashion” part is important to understand. The Read More
This post was first published on the Historical Sewing blog in September 2018. Hello Fabrics!!! In continuing my current obsession of dirndls, I wanted to cover fabrics one can use to make these wonderful ensembles for daily wear or special occasions. Before jumping into your fabric stash be sure to review my post on general elements Read More
This post was first published on the Historical Sewing blog in March 2018. In the last few weeks I’ve been overloading on dirndl research… You may have noticed this from my last post and from a recent Facebook Live video where I shared packages of official dirndl fabric from an online site based in Germany and Read More
This post was first published on the Historical Sewing blog in March 2018. The classic folkwear dress of southern Germany and Austria is not a new one to me. The Trachten and Lederhosen are lovely ensembles with a patriotic (and varied) heritage. Yet recently I’m finding the women’s dirndl – the fashion Tracht – popping Read More
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