SEWING HER WAY THROUGH HISTORY.
Alberta Cress started volunteering at Marion County Historical Society about four years ago because she loved the idea of getting involved in the Night at the Museum. It was sort of her way of giving back. With that event, she was called upon by the Historical Society to make a Civil War era dress for one of the characters. Other events followed, and she was hooked as volunteering gave her the opportunity to do what she loved to do – sewing.
Alberta has been whipping up sewn creations since she was eight years old. She has sewn everything from dog bed covers to an elaborate wedding dress. There is nothing she won’t try.
With this past Spring’s Night At Heritage Hall, Alberta believes there were 14 characters who were wearing clothes she had created at some point over the last four years. She has an eye for making something out of nothing, and could be call the ultimate upcycler of clothing. With assorted pieces of material recently donated to MCHS, Alberta has fashioned designer handbags for the gift store. With the recent donation of a huge ruffled tablecloth, Alberta sewed an elaborate dress for MCHS’s director to wear to the Ladies Tea. Most recently, she took on an assortment of men’s dress shirts that became iconic aprons.
Alberta’s two loves have come together – her love for living history and her love for sewing.
#MarionMade #WeAreMarionHistoricalSociety #WeAreArtists
