Many thanks to the Colonial Williamsburg tailors, including the Costume Design Center, and milliners/mantua makers who taught me how to sew historical clothing by studying history, analyzing pictures, draping, and drafting patterns for the 18th century…which helped do the same for other historical eras.
With each visit to the trades of Colonial Williamsburg, I thought more and more about how they reflect the guilds of Europe, from the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, peaking by the 18th century as an age olds tradition of goods with par excellence.
Marveling at the craftsmanship with each trade I visited at Colonial Williamsburg, I saw quality over quantity of modern mass production.
Likewise my modern sewing with modern methods transformed into creations I never thought attainable by my feeble hands.
Yet somehow I learned to craft gowns for my daughter and I without patterns, merely by gathering a length of fabric in strategic spots in strategic ways in the 18th century manner, and viola…a gown that, although not perfect, was more durable, useful, transformable…and even more lovely than any dress I had ever before sewn!
Not only that, if I so chose, at any moment I could pick that gown to craft a new style…which is exactly what 18th century mantua makers did to create the latest fashion from Paris.
So clever in this era when fabric was more expensive than labor.
As I stood in the mantua maker’s shop watching and listening, I’d think to myself: I could never do that.
However, my kids had other ideas!
MY KIDS HAD A DREAM…AND THE TAILOR BACKED THEM UP!
For our first Independence Day since moving to Virginia from Texas, we visited Colonial Williamsburg, which was amazing!
My favorite holiday at my favorite place that I’ve loved ever since I first saw it on tv as a little girl.
I was so happy that my kids were catching my enthusiasm…yet completely shocked me with a stunning request.
Mom, we need more historically accurate clothing, and you do, too. Would you sew them for us so we can be an 18th century family in Colonial Williamsburg? And you have to sew for yourself, too, so it will be more fun to be a real family!
When I expressed my doubts as to my capability to actually sew historically accurate clothing, my son told the tailor of his desires and my concerns.
As a result, the tailor encouraged my son’s dream…and soon all the other tailors in town followed suit!
With their encouragement, guidance, and a few sewing classes, I learned how to love sewing again!
And yes, experiencing the historic area as a family with my kids was too much fun!
For some of our best memories, check this link.
18th Century Pudding Cap for my granddaughter
Embroidered 1786 Wedding Pocket
1770s Lady’s Cap trimmed in Purple Satin for my daughter
Underpinning Dilemma for my new Silk Robe à l’anglaise Gown Part II
1770s lady’s jacket, in pink floral on blue, for my daughter
1770s Pink and White Striped Robe à l’anglaise Gown for my daughter
Silk Hat with Organdy and Pearls for my new Silk Gown
Auditioning my new silk Robe à l’anglaisegown, new stays, new bum roll…do they look right? Part I
Men’s shirt #3, with bigger ruffles, for my son
Rococo Trimmed Silk Work Bag from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class
1750-1800 Black wool lady’s short cloak
Blue on White Lady’s Short Gown
1775 Black Cockade for my son’s Tricorn Hat
Peacock Blue Silk Petticoat for my Chintz Gown
1770s Hunting Frock for my son
Linen Breaches #4 for my son…with creative 18th century letters to tell our story
1700s Lady’s Cap with Sage Ribbon for me
Lady’s red wool cloak, muff, and trimmed hat for me
Proper brass buttons for Lafayette Regimental #3
1770s Yellow and White Striped Robe à l’anglaise Gown for me
Patching breeches all day long while out and about in Colonial Williamsburg for my son…r-r-i-i-p-p!
Light blue ruffled short cloak interfaced with wool for my daughter
1770s Lady’s Lavendar Floral Jacket for my daughter
White Floral on Blue Robe à l’anglaise Gown for my daughter
Embellishments for a Chintz Robe à l’anglaise Gown for me
1770s Blue Waistcoat for my son
Chintz Robe à l’anglaise Gown for me
18th Century Lady’s Pocket from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class
Refashhioned Blue Rococo Trim with Green Ruched Ribbon Hat for me
1770s Blue on White Chintz Jacket for me
Planning a silk robe à l’anglaise gown for me
Blue Rococo Trim with Green Bow Hat from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class
Martha Washington Sewing Case from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class
1770s Buff Linen Regimental Waistcoat for my son
Crafting a military stock for my son
Red Wool Mitts for my daughter
Men’s Black Wool Cloak for my son
Lady’s Red Wool Cloak for my daughter
Lafayette Coat #3 debuts to my son’s delight
My first drafted 1770s Green Linen Frock Coat for my son
Paper doll frock coat from the Colonial Williamsburg tailor
Take a deep breath and draft a frock coat pattern
As an interlude…the proper tying of cravats by my son
Market Wallet from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class for my son
My first handsewn and properly fitted Breeches for my son
My first draped Robe à l’anglaise Gown for my daughter
Silk Covered Hat from Colonial Williamsburg Sewing Class
Mom, I need a more accurate Lafayette coat – Lafayette coat #2
Colonial Williamsburg Costume Design Center encourages me to sew a Lafayette Coat #3
My historical sewing journey begins
My son seeks the perfect Lafayette hat in Colonial Williamsburg
Creating a French-American Alliance Cockade for my son’s bespoke Lafayette hat
My son inspires Lafayette hat availability in Colonial Williamsburg shop
Mom, we need historically accurate clothing. You do, too.
In the meantime, my quiet daughter opened up due to her wearing costumes in the historic area.
And here, my kids were nearly arrested by the Redcoats during our first visit to the grand Under the Redcoat reenactment.
Daughter: Mom, will you sew an 18th century gown for me?
Son: I don’t want to be Lafayette.
For more photos of us out and about in our historical attire, check my Flickr set.
SEWING OTHER HISTORICAL ERAS
After learning SO much about the 18th century manner of sewing, I incorporated many of the techniques into my historical sewing of other eras for our Becoming History Homeschool Presentations.
RENAISSANCE
17th CENTURY SEWING
SEWING 1800-1825
1803 Regimental and Chapeau de Bras
Sewing the 1812 Empire Gown
Modeling the 1812 Empire Gown
1812 Brandenburg Military Style Spencer
1813 Gown inspired by Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Helping sew 1813 Star Spangled Banner
1830s SEWING
1860s SEWING
SEWING 1890-1912
1890-1910 Organdy Ruffled Petticoat
1912 La Mode Illustree Batiste Blouses
1912 La Mode Illustree Princess Slip Toile
1920s SEWING
1925 Apron made from Gent’s Shirt
1920s Resource: Vintage Notions (dressmaking, millinery, fashion, etc)
1940s SEWING
Polka Dot Dress and Flowered Hat Ensemble
1950s SEWING
1950s Black and White Circle Skirt
1957 Changeable Red/Black Tafetta Silk Dress
1957 Horrackses Dress in Vintage Red and Turquoise
1950s Autumnal Floral Vintage Jumper
1957 Pink Roses on Cream Horrockses Dress
1957 Mother-of-the-Bride Dress Inspired by Givenchy-Audrey Hepburn-Sabrina
1960s SEWING
1960s Wedding Dress Inspired by Givenchy-Audrey Hepburn-Funny Face
1960 Blue Gingham Embroidered Dress
WORK IN PROGRESS: I have several projects left to share by life happened so I’ll return in a day or two to catch up. Stay tuned!
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
WOW! I am impressed. Such a lovely photo display and I thank you for sharing. I am smiling emotionally. Cheers, Lyric at http://www.sewlyricallyvintage.wordpress.com, October 15, 2014
