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Historical Seamstress & Homeschooler

Receiving a costume high-five: Colonial Williamsburg
18th Century Costume Vignettes

Receiving a costume high-five: Colonial Williamsburg

June 12, 2011

Friday the kids and I journeyed to Colonial Williamsburg, to enjoy the day and be in place the next morning to meet Lord De la Warre at Historic Jamestowne.

Upon arrival we settled down in a quiet spot to eat our picnic lunch. 

COSTUME HIGH FIVE

Before long, a school group, comprised of a few teachers and a handful of 6th grade girls walked by, wanting to take pictures of my kids in their costumes. 

Since I’m finally sort of getting used to this experience, I was about to simply move out of the way, since I was in-between the kids, but the teacher wanted us to all stay put, not pose, but keep eating our fried chicken. 

She said she was going to caption the picture: employees on lunch break.

Well…I explained that we were guests like her. 😉

Shocked, she asked where the costumes came from. 

When I replied that I sewed them, exclamations of surprise sounded from all around. 

{{{They must be great street theater participants!}}} 

The teacher asked me to detail all the information on my son’s costume: breeches, frock coat, waistcoat, shirt, cravat. 

Impressed with the information, they repeated the words after me to internalize them.

One of the girls gave me a high-five! 

Then the teacher asked where we were from. 

I explained that we recently moved to Virginia from Texas. 

She said we were neighbors, because they were from Louisiana!

GUESTS ASK ME ABOUT 18TH CENTURY LADIES STAYS

Later that day, some ladies I met at the shoemakers’ shop asked me about stays (especially about the type of boning I used) and other costuming questions, when they saw my kids dressed up!

After the fun accolades, we continued our research where I’m always admiring and studying historical clothing.

Note on the header photo: that is the most recent shot I can find of my kids’ costumes, as they engaged with one of the employees.

I’m certain it’s obvious which one is the most properly dressed employee. 😉

MILLINER SEWING INSPIRATION

At the milliner we saw lots of sewing inspiration for me and my daughter!

2011-6-10_1 hats_Milliner_Colonial Williamsburg
Hats at the milliner shop in Colonial Williamsburg
2011-6-10_5 hats_Milliner_Colonial Williamsburg
Embroidered silk workbag with fly-fringe at the milliner shop in Colonial Williamsburg

ANDERSON ARMOURY CONSTRUCTION

We also checked out the construction process of the Anderson Armoury Construction.

Building the Anderson Armoury at Colonial Williamsburg
Anderson Armoury construction in Colonial Williamsburg

STREET THEATER SEWING INSPIRATION

During the street theater I secretly analyzed the gents’ waistcoats and frock coats for future sewing for my son.

2011-6-10_6 Rev City_Colonial Williamsburg
Street theater in Colonial Williamsburg
2011-6-10_9 Rev City_Colonial Williamsburg
Street theater in Colonial Williamsburg

GENERAL LAFAYETTE 1781

And then we ended the day with General Lafayette en route to Yorktown!

2011-6-10_13 Gen Lafayette 1781_Rev City_Colonial Williamsburg
General Lafayette in 1781 Colonial Williamsburg

For more photos, check my Flickr set.

POT POURRI

  • Costume Vignettes in autumn at Colonial WilliamsburgMy kids in costume in front of Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg
    Date
    October 12, 2011
  • Costume Vignettes at Independence Day events: Sewing JournalCostume vignettes at the Armoury Complex in Colonial Williamsburg
    Date
    July 8, 2013
  • Costume Vignettes, Governor’s Palace, Colonial WilliamsburgMe and my daughter in Governor's Palace Gardens
    Date
    August 19, 2011

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A former homeschool mom who sees the world through the lens of 18th century Virginia…and discovers Lafayette everywhere she turns.

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