Outgrowing his breeches
While out and about in Colonial Williamsburg during the energetic Independence Day weekend, my son asked me to sew a more authentic pair of breeches for him to wear.
What? While unpacking from the move, painting the house, finishing last school year…still. Preparing for next school year? Broken sewing machine from the move. Can’t that wait?
Mom, I’m outgrowing my breeches. I can barely stuff my feet into them.
That’s right. He’s had a growth spurt. The first of this former preemie’s life.
While house hunting my son asked if we could detour to buy him some new shoes.
While he grinned he demonstrated how he could easily pull the sole of his shoe off, exposing his toes.
His shoes looked like those of the poorly outfitted soldiers of the American Revolution.
While purchasing the shoes I was flabbergasted at the larger size he needed.
And, yes, I could see the value to historical accuracy.
Going to all the trade shops I’ve learned of the cleverness of the old ways of doing things, as opposed to quick and done.
Who knew we’d be living in Virginia?
Furiously sewing these breeches for our Becoming History presentation a year ago, I took lots of short cuts.
Instead of cutting the slits at the knee to allow for buttons and buttonholes to secure, I sewed a permanent band so no buttonholes would be needed.
After all he was only going to wear this for a history presentation and on our vacation to Colonial Williamsburg a few months later.
Since we were living in Texas, it would be a few years if we would get to make another journey to the historic area.
So, I sewed that permanent band large enough for his foot to slip through.
Then the economy crashed, the job took us to Northern Virginia, my son got a growth spurt.
Now it’s all he can do to stuff his big feet through those permanent holes.
If I had taken the time to sew the slits and add buttons and buttonholes, the breeches would still fit.
Wanting to become an 18th century family in Colonial Williamsburg
Except he’s been beguiled by historically accurate 18th century attired on the streets we now frequent.
My daughter agreed. Also beguiled, she’d love a more historically accurate gown.
Additionally, my kids are campaigning for me to make a costume for myself, to make the experience more fun!
I love that! Playing 18th century with my kids in my favorite place! That’s the next best thing to living here!
Purchasing historically accurate patterns
At the Mary Dickenson shop we found authentic patterns for each of us, that I optimistically purchased.
Excitedly, I pulled out the patterns to peruse during the weekend to discover the secrets to authenticity.
However, I began to wilt.
Unlike modern patterns, these have few illustrations.
The directions seem to be on speed dial.
Visiting the Mantua Maker for inspiration and clarification
Perplexed, I paid a visit to the Margaret Hunter Millinery shop where beautiful 18th century attire is sewn and displayed.
Perfectly recreated from originals, they would unlock my queries.
As I entered the place was a lively hive of activity and fun banter, always a pleasant place to visit.
Meanwhile I drooled over beautiful gowns of yore.
Noticing my exploration of the lovelies, the head mantua maker came to my rescue, chatting and asking me how she could help.
Understanding my pleas for help at beginning a new adventure of historical sewing, she laid out examples of each type of clothing available with my newly purchased patterns.
Wow! Gorgeousness! Overtaken, I didn’t think to take pictures of all the beauties.
Instead, I was trying to absorb all her knowledge.
The blue iridescent fabric with an elegant drape in the back, made for a French styled gown compared to the simpler back of the English gown.
I want to sew one of everything!
The mantua maker seemed to have quite a bit of confidence in my skills to pull this off.
Somewhere in the discussion my daughter mentioned that her colonial costume (that I sewed from one of the big box modern patterns) is the most comfortable of the costumes she has worn in all our Becoming History presentations.
I said that the costume I felt the most comfortable in was the Regency gown I had sewn.
The milliner then dug out this set of stays, from the early 1800’s.
Fascinatingly quilted, the only “structure” is a wooden slat that goes down the center.
Inspiration from the Interpreters in the Historic Area
Armed with encouragement (which takes me far) I found myself drooling lovelies walking about the town.
At the auction I saw my favorite inspiration piece in auction.
Shorter than a gown, the back of this pet en l’air had that lovely French drape.
And I loved the fabric. Where can I buy that?
Burnley and Trowbridge Classes for historical sewing
The weekend before I met some reenactor ladies sewing at the encampment for Under the Redcoat.
I thoroughly enjoyed sitting and chatting with them.
When they noticed my kids’ costumes, they highly recommended I take Burnley and Trowbridge classes in the local area, to learn historical sewing.
Wow! That would be amazing!
I need to build some skill sets before I venture into that exciting prospect!
Stay tuned!
