Carol Colburn’s background in theater, art history/museology, and human ecology/textiles has led her to study textile and clothing history from many perspectives. Her continuing interest in Norwegian-American clothing has resulted in many projects and publications inspired by the collections at Vesterheim Museum. Now living in Duluth, Minnesota, she turns to material culture methodologies for this work, often resulting in hands-on exploration of weave structures, garment cut, and sewing techniques. In addition to researching historical garments for what they tell us today, Carol teaches heritage sewing workshops at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, and John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina.

Learn more: Enjoy a video recording of Collection Connections: Inside Handwoven Dresses.

Visit her website here.