How Former Slave Elizabeth Keckly Shaped 19th-Century Fashion
The Entire Article Is A Good Read, Not Too Long
“Elizabeth Keckly was born into slavery in 1818. Her mother taught her how to sew, and she soon became exceptionally skilled at it. When Keckly was a young woman, she and her son moved to St. Louis with their owner. Keckly, a tireless worker, supported her owner's entire family with her clothing-making skills. But Keckly was also a sharp and savvy businesswoman. At age 37, she purchased freedom for herself and her son for $1,200. Her loyal clients helped raise the money.
In 1860, after a failed marriage, Keckly and her son moved to Washington, D.C. Keckly soon became the premiere dressmaker in the capital, clothing big shots such as Varina Davis, wife of soon-to-be Confederate president Jefferson Davis, and Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. Initially, she did all of the work by herself. But as her business grew, she hired a team of seamstresses. With assistance, Keckly focused more on the fit of the dresses rather than the actual construction. And it was her ability to skillfully fit garments that brought her much acclaim.
We know so much about Keckly today because of her friendship with Lincoln. Keckly first dressed the first lady in 1861, shortly after her husband became president. Lincoln was a fashionista and is said to have ordered more than two dozen dresses each season. She favored bold, opulent frocks and flower-topped headdresses. Also high on her list were low-cut ball gowns with long trains, similar to those favored by French Empress Eugénie. However, Keckly's design style was clean and sophisticated, with little lace or ribbon.”...cont. at link.
https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/ex-slave-elizabeth-keckly-shaped-19th-century-fashion.htm
= new reply since forum marked as read
It began so heartwarming and full of promise.. so sorry to read of how the story ended.
But, Elizabeth Keckly's legacy lives on, of course..
Chrystal E. Williams (as Elizabeth Keckly), left, and Anne-Carolyn Bird (as Mary Todd Lincoln), bottom center, rehearse a scene for the opera, 'Appomattox' at the Kennedy Center on Nov. 9, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images
You could post it, too.. it's easy if you're not a phone which I take by the snips you posted you are not.. 
Great article!
You're too kind as I am pic challenged...
saying that awhile ago now.
OK.. Lesson.. practice on this one.. Right click on pic and left click on "copy".. take it to your message text and right click again then left click on "paste"..
Voila!
but thanks 
I remember when I first asked someone to teach me on DU.. way back in the day.. I was so excited! It was more complicated then on a Dell.. it's gotten much quicker after 15 years.
Me
