Hello to everyone from Williamsburg! My father, stepmother-to-be, and stepsister-to-be are visiting for the first part of this week, before we go on to Washington. Yesterday afternoon I went to Margaret Hunter's millinery shop and met Samantha of Couture Courtesan, who is as lovely and nice in person as she seems online, and I am … Continue reading The Dilemma of Interpreters' Costuming
Tag: 18th century
Mantua-makers and Merchants
In my search for fabric-related quotes some time ago, I came across some others relating to fashion, sewing, and society. Here they are, collected for your entertainment The Artful Husband (William Taverner, 1717): The Fable of the Bees (Bernard de Mandeville, 1724): I like this one because it's such a universal - even today, you … Continue reading Mantua-makers and Merchants
Blue Gown Gets an Airing
Long time, no post! I've been conflicted about sharing the pictures Mom took of me at the Saratoga Battlefield because I don't like how I look in them, but I've finally decided to do so in hopes that I'll get some good advice. My favorite of the lot. The wrong things I can spot are: … Continue reading Blue Gown Gets an Airing
Blue Linen Gown – Finished?
Yesterday I had the gown mostly done - skirts sewn on and hemmed, but sleeve edges still raw and the lining not really trimmed or anything. I tried it on over my petticoat and stays: (Picture taken using the "smile detection" function on my camera - it can tell when you're smiling and take the … Continue reading Blue Linen Gown – Finished?
The Caraco, Pt II
In my previous post on the caraco, I discovered that all of the French fashion plates labeled caraco in the Boston MFA depicted short jackets. However, more research was needed, as French and English terms do not always or often line up. This time, I decided to look at English sources. Walker's Hibernian Magazine, 1787 … Continue reading The Caraco, Pt II
Mimic of Modes 