Instructor Profile:

Joy Hobbs

Hello, my name is Joy Hobbs. I’d like to tell you a little about myself and how I got started in this glorious Victorian “hobby”, that has taken over my life. I was born in Michigan, and when I was 11 my family moved out west. Although I hated it then, the west has a tendency to grow on you. I left Wyoming many times, but it always draws me back, and now my husband, Richard and I are here to stay.

We have 2 childeren, my daughter who will be 28 in June, is a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force in Germany. Richard's son, 30, a mechanic, is married and living in CT. We have a 3 year old grandson, Patrick....and you know how grandparents are about grandchildren!! So, I won't go on! But, he is gorgeous and precious!!

I was raised by European parents. My father is a cabinet maker from Germany and my mother from Holland. They both taught me the value of good craftsmanship. My mother was taught sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. in Holland and everything always had to be done to perfection. If it was wrong, it was torn out and redone, no ifs ands or buts about it. That is the way I learned, and is the the only way things are still done.

I have always loved historical clothing, especially the Victorian Era. (Such beautiful elegance!) I wanted to sew these graceful dresses and become a fashion designer at one time. Life goes its own way though, and I joined the army and became a nurse. I married, became a mother, traveled, divorced, and married again. In 2001 Richard and I made a trip to Tombstone, AZ. That trip reignited my desire to learn more about Victorian clothing. Since I have always loved sewing, I made my own wedding dress (which is the royal blue dress which is on my website-which is still a work in progress) I was in love, and once I created my own bustle dress, then my second and third, I had to learn more! I have done extensive research, read as many books as I could get my hands on, studied original garments, and taken classes from some of the best costume historical clothing instructors in the US.

I strive to create costume historical clothing from the Victorian Era using the same period techniques that were used in the 1800s. I truly look forward to meeting you and learning more about each of you and what brought you to this class.