Dress & Drinks: University of Rhode Island's Commercial Pattern Archive Collection with Kristen Mathieu
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific
FREE Webinar, Open to All

This month's Dress & Drinks turns the page as we explore the world's largest archival collection of commercial sewing patterns. We are delighted to welcome Kristen M. Mathieu, Coordinator of the Commercial Pattern Archive (CoPA) at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. Kristen brings a wonderfully eclectic background to her role: holding advanced degrees in both environmental science and library and information science, alongside years of personal immersion in historical fashion, garment construction, and the Japanese street fashion community.

CoPA's holdings span over 55,000 unique sewing patterns dating from 1862 through 2015 — the largest archival collection of its kind in the world — alongside nearly a thousand fashion magazines, pattern catalogs, tailoring manuals, and sewing books. Kristen will guide us through how this remarkable collection illuminates the progression of Western fashion across more than 150 years, from recommended fabrics and sizing conventions to construction techniques and shifting silhouettes.

Join us for an evening of conversation, discovery, and community as we unfold the layers of fashion history hidden within paper, ink, and tissue.

Click here to register
Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event.
If you missed the deadline, email conversationsondress@costumesocietyamerica.com.

The Paper Pattern (Cocktail)

Ingredients (serves 1):

2 fluid ounces dry gin (preferably botanical or herbal)

0.5 fluid ounces crème de violette

0.75 fluid ounces fresh lemon juice

0.5 fluid ounces simple syrup

1 fluid ounce cold chamomile tea

2 dashes aromatic bitters

1 lemon twist or pressed edible flower, for garnish

Instructions:

Brew a small amount of chamomile tea and allow it to cool completely.

Combine gin, crème de violette, lemon juice, simple syrup, chamomile tea, and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

Garnish with a lemon twist or a pressed edible flower. Serve immediately.

The Paper Pattern (Mocktail)

Ingredients (serves 1):

2 fluid ounces white grape juice

0.5 fluid ounces violet syrup (such as Monin) or elderflower cordial

0.75 fluid ounces fresh lemon juice

0.5 fluid ounces simple syrup

1 fluid ounce cold chamomile tea

2 dashes non-alcoholic aromatic bitters (such as Hella or All The Bitter)

Splash of sparkling water, to top

1 lemon twist or pressed edible flower, for garnish

Instructions:

Brew a small amount of chamomile tea and allow it to cool completely.

Combine white grape juice, violet or elderflower syrup, lemon juice, simple syrup, chamomile tea, and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

Top with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with a lemon twist or pressed edible flower. Serve immediately.