The Octagon Ladies Repository

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The Octagon Ladies Repository A "Repository" is a resting place or keeping place for something important enough to be preserved.

Therefore, we are striving to preserve many aspects of a mid 19th century woman's life which would express her styles, occupations, and daily activities. We hope to accomplish this through our adaptations of the period clothing, patterns, accessories, crafts, and needlework.

Putting the final touches on this basic, cotton 1 pc dress today. Life has gotten a little behind with a round of bronch...
24/06/2026

Putting the final touches on this basic, cotton 1 pc dress today. Life has gotten a little behind with a round of bronchitis but we're starting to get caught up!

Perfect custom dress order for America 250 this summer completed over the last week!
18/06/2026

Perfect custom dress order for America 250 this summer completed over the last week!

Up on our Sewing Table this week are 2 beautiful cotton prints for custom orders taken. Pretty!!!
18/06/2026

Up on our Sewing Table this week are 2 beautiful cotton prints for custom orders taken. Pretty!!!

We are just getting back into the sewing room today! Thank you all for your warm wishes for my daughter and her groom!
10/06/2026

We are just getting back into the sewing room today! Thank you all for your warm wishes for my daughter and her groom!

Cloth was scarce in the south in the summer of 1865. “Louisa McCord was determined to not be disappointed and be marrie...
05/06/2026

Cloth was scarce in the south in the summer of 1865. “Louisa McCord was determined to not be disappointed and be married in white “the dress, ten yards of white organdy, was the only piece of white goods in Columbia and was owned by a Yankee shop-keeper who wanted $10 in greenbacks for it. To gratify my ardent wish, the last piece of carpet was sold; the chairs from my mother’s bedroom, and some lard & butter from the plantation, and the dress was bought.”
Many of you are going to ask...is Miss Madeline having a period era wedding just like her parents? Answer, No. We have included many subtle traditions and gestures, but at the end of the day, the Bride & Groom have chosen a private, family only wedding with a celebration reception at what was a to***co farm right down the road.

An elaborately worked bridal handkerchief was an important item in the bride’s attire, the old saying being “A bride wee...
03/06/2026

An elaborately worked bridal handkerchief was an important item in the bride’s attire, the old saying being “A bride weeps on her wedding day, or tears will fall later.” Miss Madeline will be carrying the same hankie I carried, and her grandmother carried on our wedding day. It is said to have been made by a slave (but no proof of that). She will also wear my garters with blue trim, and will get one pic with this beautiful antique fan.

Will Miss Madeline be wearing a short or a long veil this weekend?VeilsBrides have worn veils since ancient Greek & Roma...
02/06/2026

Will Miss Madeline be wearing a short or a long veil this weekend?
Veils
Brides have worn veils since ancient Greek & Roman times. In some cultures the veil was thought o protect the bride from evil spirits. Early Roman veils were “Flame Red.” Colonial American brides wore no veil. Many Asian grooms saw their wife’s face for the first time when the veil was lifted at the wedding.
Until the mid 19th century, the veil was only decorative, hanging down the back of the head. It was not until the 1860’s or 1870’s that the bride actually wore the veil over her face during the ceremony to cover her virgin modesty. The veil remained over her face until her husband lifted it in their own room or home later that night. Subsequently, the bride kept the veil over her face for the entire wedding, putting it back only for the bridal supper. The custom for the bride to wear the veil over face at the church and then back afterwards evolved in the latter part of the nineteenth century.

We're going to pause a little bit on the sewing this week as we prepare for Miss Madeline's Wedding. Many of you have be...
01/06/2026

We're going to pause a little bit on the sewing this week as we prepare for Miss Madeline's Wedding. Many of you have been great customers since she was born in 1999! The week she was born we were to set up at our annual event close to home. The sutler tent still went up, and a poster with picture was front and center as folks would stop by to see if she had been born yet. This Saturday she enters married life to a wonderful man that we are very proud of to call "son-in-law." We hope you all have fond memories of your special day!

Painted Green Dress ready to ship out for a lovely Summer Evening.
31/05/2026

Painted Green Dress ready to ship out for a lovely Summer Evening.

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10095 Wadsworth Road

44645

Telephone

(330) 855-4251

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