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Patricia Gray is a designer of clothes. She's a pretty, auburn- haired young woman with a creamy con- plexion and the ability to dress herself to look as sharp as tomorrow. Bul the clothing she designs is so dated it seems suited fo another century. Which it is. As the official costume designer at Black Creek Pioneer Village, the pre- Confederation cross- roads community operated by the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Con- servation Authority, at Jane Street and Steeles Avenue, in nor- thwestern Toronto, Pat is an authority on what is Or isn't proper dress for the Village inhabitants--men and women, Having been taught to sew in public school, Pat became interested in the making and designing of clothes and attended night school at Seneca College to study pattern drafting. Later, 'she enrolled in the iaterial arts course at the Ontario College of Art, graduating in 1968. During the summers, ,lady while at OCA, she was employed by both the National Ballet of Canada and by Malabar's Costumers designing, producing, and altering costumes. Upon graduation from the College of Art, Gray joined the staff of the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Con- servation Authority as an interpreter to visilors coming to view the First and Second Stong houses, the two original structures around which the Village has been created. Pat's abilities as a designer and a seam- stress were soon pul to work in helping the Village. wardrobe mistress and, when that relinquished the job because of ill health, Pal took over. Last year, Pat out- fitted 48 women and 42 men on staff with costumes appropriate to the mid-1800s era and the type of life their work and social position demanded. In other years she has also had as many as two dozen summer student em- ployees to outfit as well as providing costumes for visiting teachers-- and some students--to the Dickson Hill School, where an earnest at- tempt is made to have classes sample schoolroom life as it was 100 years ago. With assistanee from one summer helper, Pat Gray also provides costumes for the wailresses in the Half Way House Dining Room, neighbouring groups marking some historical occasion, special celebrations at banks and stores, and for some of the wed- dings performed at Black Cree kas Fisherville © Church, when a period ceremony is requested. Other historie site groups also borrow costumes or call for information regarding sources ol materials and authentication of styles. "While there were clothing patterns, back in the 1800s, they aren't much help to the seamstress of today who is trying to produce pioneer clothing to fit present-day bodies," says Patricia. The has to be so! Boxing Day...it's just four months away Guess what? In exactly four months from today it will be Boxing Day! That's tough to believe, right? Well our above friend says it is so, so...it She'sa costume designer. patterns of yesteryear were often made several to a single sheet of paper. There might be patterns on the sheet for the whole family-- men's, women's, and children's clothing. The designs couldn't be cut out, but had to be retraced since' the printing overlapped from one item to another. "The biggest problem with the old patterns, however, is that they don't meet the requirements of the modern figure," Pat advises. "For that matter," she says, "the measurements for clothing of even 15 years ago are dramatically different from those of today, particularly for young people." And so, she has to start from scratch and_ redesign most itenis. Essentially, our great grandparents 'were generally smaller than we are. Women, for the most part, were more petite. Not only have our foods had the effect of making bigger, more robust people, but the infusion of ethnic styles called for cotton cloth. Thus. far, peoples' into our particular Black is keeping ©ut-of-date on population has also pbyildings and oc-_ her job has continued to produced figure cupations. For instance, e possible as the en- characteristics of races when the Doctor's thusiastic young other than the House was opened at designer ferrets out predominant Anglo- piack Creek. there was supply sources to Saxon of. the last cen- tury. "You'd be sur- prised at how the blue people of 15 years ago differ from those of today,' declares Pat. "Then, girls had much a new demand for men's frock coats, and ladies' [ hoop skirts. jeans worn by young Ar important increasingly part of Gray's job is seeking out sources of authentic reproductions maintain the authentic clothing that is the pride of the Village. Just how lonz before modern substitute materials and equipment will have to be accepted is anybody's guess. and difficult bigger waists and they jf j)-aterials. The were: straight-up and ayeadle. sewin g down, New they once achine: 1% Village. again have smaller 4,,, exal.pac, require Aug. 31 waists and (more ~\ ite 'wolton thread on Alfresco '83 has fullness in busts and wooden gs pools. planned a shopping trip hips."' Appropriate printed 0 Orillia for Wednesday The costume work Pat j,,aterials are now hard Aug. 31 for Seniors 60 does must reflect the to get, as 1s 100 per cent years and over. Nielsens Christmas in August LAWN SALE 50-75% OFF Ceramic Knobs, Vases, Christmas Trees. Sat., Aug. 27th, from 10 a.m., 12 Fifth St., Midland Ceramics School Inc. Accepting for 1983-84 school year Midiand Nursery Registrations 2 4 ss efor 3&4 year olds Co-operative or non-co-operative classes Facilities at St. Paul's Church For more information, call Yvonne 549-7250 Page 6, Friday, August 26, 1983 Here's all hygenic freshness. Our store does careful, individual fittings, too. So come on inand let us help direct the little feet in your family back to school. Mon.-Sat. 9-5:30; Fri 9-9 Cumming-Nicholson Ltd. Fine Shoes 239 King Street 526-5861 - Savage children's shoes are one thing both kids and parents can agree on. Kids like the way they look and feel. Parents like the way they're specially designed to promote the develop- ment of healthy feet. And that they're Sanitiged' for lasting Ss We start kids off on the right fit. need to know tosend litte feet e 45 years of old-fashioned Customer Service ; ee ere ge ---- a