Arriving in Colonial Williamsburg on a typical July hot and humid day, we were excited about all the offerings the day held!
SEWING A GOWN IN ONE DAY
First we went to the milliner to see the one event that would encompass most of our day…watching the draping and hand sewing of an 18th century gown in one day, from 7am to 7pm!
Thus, we popped in and out throughout the day to leave room for other guests to view the sewing, while we kept checking progress throughout the day.
Although they began shortly after sunrise, we didn’t arrive until later in the morning.
Entering the shop, we found Mrs. Randolph in her dressing gown, patiently waiting any fitting needs as the mantua makers draped her.
On display was this 1779 print featuring an Italian gown: Summer, From the Original Picture by John Collet in the possession of Carington Bowles.
Recreating two versions of that Italian gown, the mantua makers on this side of the shop sewed a silk version…
…while the mantua makers on the other side of the shop sewed another of linen.
One of my good friends was sewing silk swags for the petticoat!
Sitting next to her was a lady with whom I took a past Burnley and Trowbridge workshop.
GOVERNOR’S PALACE GARDENS
Popping out for a bit, we toured the Governor’s Palace gardens.
I was so glad we did because I think these flower selections are my favorite of all that I’ve ever experienced in the garden.
After relaxing on the bench to simply enjoy the loveliness, we played in the maze of hedges.
After exploring the gardens we passed by the kitchen, so of course we paid the cook a visit.
While sharing how 18th century puddings have one crust but pies have two crusts, the cook also explained that puddings and pies, which were heavy, were served in the main course.
Desserts, which were light in nature, were palette cleansers.
GOWN IN A DAY
While watching the arrangement of festoons to the silk petticoat…
…Mr. Anderson, from the armoury, arrived to share the sad news that his mother’s mother had passed away and they needed funeral gloves.
Did they have any?
SEWING AT THE FIRST OVAL OFFICE
Again, popping out for a quick jaunt, we took a short walk to see a new commission given the tailors of George Washington’s marquee tent, which they dubbed the First Oval Office.
On this day, they were stitching the ceiling portion of the sleeping tent.
As we entered, they were discussing with the guests how top-secret duties could be carried with the tent.
Since walls tend to have ears during war time, tent sentries are posted in a set perimeter.
JAMES MADISON
Having first met him as president of our country, I was glad to see him in a public audience from an earlier time frame.
While serving as burgess from Orange County in 1776, he voted for Virginia’s independence from Britain, then helped George Mason craft the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Educated at Princeton, in New Jersey, instead of the nearby College of William and Mary, Madison confessed his attempt to pursue: how little sleep was necessary to complete the most amount of work.
After he shared much that he had learned from his various teachers, especially John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence, my investigative reasoning took ease when one of the audience members asked during the Q&A about his work on the Constitution.
Of course, he had no idea what she was talking about, which was great fun with his great humor.
Undaunted, Madison cleverly reminded us of what he and his colleagues knew of ancient governments, of what worked and what didn’t, then he explained some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
When Madison’s ideas of the balance of powers were proposed at the Constitutional Convention, all of the delegates knew exactly what he meant.
This was the Age of Enlightenment where an education meant to be widely read of the great thinkers and writers of the past.
Madison ended his talk by inviting us to his boarding house in Philadelphia where the congress was currently meeting and where he served a delegate.
His love of books played into the invitation, since he promised to share his many wonderful volumes.
GOWN IN A DAY
MILITARY REVIEW
Soon after we saw General Lafayette arrive in 1781 to address the militia en route to Yorktown, of which he was certain of victory!
GOWN IN A DAY CULMINATES
Although the rest of the trade shops had closed for the day when we returned, the milliner shop was open another two hours.
As the sun lowered in the sky, I thrilled at this opportunity because I’ve never stayed this long in a trade shop.
On this first unique full day experience as a milliner trade shop, from sunrise to sunset, with the milliners working in teams to complete a bespoke gown in a day with every ounce of available sunlight, these milliners kept stitching for two more hours.
As the mantua workers quietly worked, Mrs. Randolph engaged the guests in conversation.
Remembering us from other visits, we had much news to catch up on.
At one point, Mrs. Randolph asked my daughter if she’d like to read a bit of something for everyone to enjoy.
Reading a composition aloud during draping and sewing was a common habit in the mantua maker trade, to keep the milliners’ minds entertained, as we often due now with radio and podcasts, and such.
Shortly after 7pm, Mrs. Randolph was fitted with the linen version of her new Italian gown, which had been sewn in a day by a team of milliners!
For more photos, check my Flickr set.
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
Jessica – August 31, 2015 at 12:50 PM – Oh, my everyone looks so incredible and your pink gown is a true vision of loveliness. Dusty rose is, hands down, my all-time favorite color, so you can imagine ow much this elegant dress speaks to me. This was such a marvelously fun post and series of photos. Thank you very much for sharing it with us! Big hugs & happy end of August wishes, ♥ Jessica
lahbluebonnet – August 31, 2015 at 2:21 PM – Isn’t that dusty pink gown gorgeous? Alas, I’ve never had the pleasure of wearing it. It’s a dressing gown for the guests obtaining draping duties at the Margaret Hunter Milliner shop, which on this day was Mrs. Randolph who got to wear that loveliness! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
