Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D. in Human Sciences

Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design specialization

University of Nebraska- Lincoln                       

Degree received: May 2022                                   Cumulative GPA: 3.886

Dissertation Title: “The Hand that Plied the Needle: The Reproduction of Historical Garments as Research Methodology”

Committee: Sandra Starkey (chair), Claire Nicholas, Marilyn Grady, Michael Burton, Jennifer Jorgensen-Johnson

MA in Costume History                            

University of Nebraska- Lincoln

Degree received: August 2013                               Cumulative GPA: 3.866

Thesis Title: “Constructing History: Structures and Silhouettes”

Advisor: Barbara Trout

BA in History/ Fine Arts (theatre concentration), minor in Art History           

Cedar Crest College in Allentown PA

Degree received May 2010                                     Cumulative GPA: 3.894

Research Interests

• Historic clothing, material culture and cultural history
• Historic costume reproduction
• Experimental archeology and practical research methods
• Women’s studies and needlecraft
• Museum studies and collections management/curation

Research Presentations

• Stella Blum Award paper presentation at Costume Society of                America’s National Symposium (virtual conference) May 2021

• Paper presentation on early sewing machine technology and stitch patterns at Costume Society of America’s National Symposium (virtual conference) May 2021
• Paper presentation on Native American Powwow Regalia
• at Costume Society of America’s National Symposium at Colonial Williamburg, VA Spring 2018
• Poster presentation of artifact analysis of 18th century quilt at           International Textiles and Apparel Association’s national meeting in St. Petersburg, FL Fall 2017
• Paper presentation on gender roles and fashion history at the            Costume Society of America’s regional conference in Minneapolis, MN Fall 2014
• Presented Master’s thesis research on embroidery and handwork at Costume Society of America’s regional conference in Chicago, IL Fall 2013

• Mounted multifaceted exhibition of historical garments and              reproduction apparel in the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery Spring 2013

Awards and Recognitions

• Costume Society of America Stella Blum Student Research Award 2018
• Finalist for Betty Kirke Excellence in Research Award for research presented at Costume Society of America National Symposium 2018
•   Lincoln Quilt Guild Student Research Grant  2017-2018
• Invited to show recent design work in exhibition “Where the Women Are Now” at Cedar Crest College 2017
• Invited to sit on panel for the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery       2017  exhibition reception titled “Teaching From The Collections”             
• Mary Mitchell Fashion Excellence Award of Distinction (UNL)         2015
• Four featured garment designs in the TMFD                                      2015 Biennial Student Juried Exhibition
• Costume Society of America Midwest Student Travel Award           2014
• Helen S. Weinberger Prize for History (Cedar Crest College)            2010

Publications

McPherson, M. J. (2022). The Hand that Plied the Needle: Making Historical Garments as Research Methodology (Order No. 29166405). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ University of Nebraska – Lincoln; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. (2658291708).

McPherson, M., Nicholas, C. (2017). Artifact Analysis: A Petticoat Quilt’s Pedigree. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 74(1).

McPherson, M., Starkey, S. (under review). Preserving the History of Degrading Objects: an Adrian Originals Evening Gown.

McPherson, M. J. (in preparation). Stella Blum Student Research Grant Report: Historical Garment Making.

McPherson, M. J., Starkey, S. (in preparation). Make Do and Mend: Experiential Learning and Historical Context through Historical Costume Reproduction.

McPherson, M. J., Starkey, S. (in preparation). “Who Sees Who Sew?”: Hidden Histories and Museum Mysteries of the Early Sewing Machine.

McPherson, M. J., Starkey, S. (in preparation). Gatekeeping in Historical Costuming: Reflecting on Historical Accuracy and Inclusivity.

McPherson, M. J., Starkey, S., Nicholas, C., Burton, M., Grady, M. and Jorgensen, J. (in preparation). Historical Garment Reproduction as Research Methodology: A Framework for Remaking History.

Vocational Experience

Repairs, Alterations, Tailoring and Custom Sewing         Fall 2015-current

Cutter/Stitcher at Pechous Upholstering Co.     Summer 19- Spring 20 Duties included: drafting patterns and the cutting/construction of cushions, pillows, and other upholstered furniture, working with designer, carpenter, upholsterers, and fillings specialist in the repair and creation of three-dimensional softgoods.

Graduate in charge of inventory                                                    Summer 2015 UNL Historic Costume Collection Duties included: development of inventory practices for costume collection, determining quantity of collection and identify strengths and deficits, organizing data for use in online database, creating work list for future graduate assistants, developing volunteer opportunities for community outreach, completing handbook on guidelines for costume collection practices.

Collections assistant of the UNL Historic Costume Collection  2011-14 Duties included: care and maintenance of historic garments, basic textile conservation, assisting in development of exhibition featuring historic garments, vacuuming and preparing new garments for accessioning, developing storage and display methods, applying proper techniques for handling and examining historic artifacts, development of social media presence.

Assistant to Director of the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery 2011- 13 Duties included: exhibit installation, gallery lighting, exhibit design, writing didactics and labels, developing display mounts for various artifacts and objects, designing and writing press documentation for textiles gallery, communication with invited and featured artists, providing tours and informational sessions with outreach groups and guests.

Intern in Historic Trades at Colonial Williamsburg                  Summer 2013 Duties included: interpretation and interaction with the public, researching women’s garments and accessories of the 1770s in Colonial America, studying artifacts in the costume collection directed by Linda Baumgarten, practice of 18^th century sewing and handwork techniques in the production of reproduction and interpreted historically accurate clothing.

Intern at the Nebraska State History Museum                             Spring 2012 Duties included: Cataloging and dating women’s clothing from 1920s and 1930s, researching donor and family history, creating more detailed descriptions of garments, reporting condition of artifacts and analyzing potential storage concerns, utilizing facility database to update artifact records, applying proper techniques for handling and examining historic artifacts.