Monday, July 11, 2011

No trip to Colonial Williamsburg is ever complete...

...without a trip (or two...or maybe even three...yes, we're very sad!) to the Margaret Hunter milliner's shop.  We know that a number of our readers, like us, delight in wallowing in endless pictures of period clothing, so here's a mini photo-essay of some of the more recent creations of the incredibly talented milliners/mantua makers and tailors at Colonial Williamsburg.  Enjoy the pretties!

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
Apprentice Sarah organizing the fabric.  Sounds like fun to me!

On Saturday during Under the Redcoat, we stopped by the shop ever so briefly on our way back to camp, just to see what was new on display (and also to enjoy a snatch of much-needed air conditioning!).  Our visit was short lived, however, because the shop was quite busy with visitors, so we snapped a few quick pictures and headed back to "work."

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
Journeywoman Mrs Warren at work
(and wearing her stunning embroidered jacket - I love that color).

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
A fashion doll perched on a shelf, silently yet
very ably advertising her wares.

Knowing that Sunday is typically the day in the shop for the tailors, we were sure to make time amongst our UTR duties the next day to stop by again to consult with Mr Hutter about some questions that have arisen about our stays since we started them in the Burnley and Trowbridge workshop back in April.  He very graciously and helpfully assisted with our quandaries, and after chatting a bit more about the progress of our stays (we were incredibly lucky we caught the shop at a rare quiet time), we admired some of the gentlemen's items on display and then ventured back out into the heat to watch our regiment perform in the afternoon's firing demonstration.

Colonial Williamsburg tailor's wares
The "Spruce Sportsman" coat, waistcoat, and hat, along with some infant stays.

Colonial Williamsburg tailor's wares
A gorgeous coat of creamy silk taffeta, lined in pink.  It's absolutely stunning;
I wish we had gotten a better shot of the lining contrast!

Colonial Williamsburg tailor's wares
The tailor's worktable, strewn with two in-progress chintz banyans.

Our final visit came the following Saturday, to indulge in the pleasures of "Silk Saturday."  Heavenly silk gowns, hats, and petticoats adorned the shop, which was busy with visitors conversing eagerly with the shop's new young interns.  What a fantastic atmosphere!  After chatting for a bit with Sarah about some of her recent research (thanks so much for so generously taking the time to share all of that with us!), however, we very reluctantly dragged ourselves away.  If only we could have stayed all day!

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
Interns hard at work, catching the sunlight.

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
A quilted silk petticoat and a couple of hats, all of which I wanted
to carry home with me!

Colonial Williamsburg milliner's shop
An infant's gown with a red taffeta bag displayed on top.

If you'd like to see more of the impressive work done in the Margaret Hunter shop, be sure to visit their facebook page!  Some additional photos of ours can be found in our flickr set and by clicking on the "CW milliner" tag below.

5 comments:

Issy said...

Oh I am soooo jealous. The costumes are gorgeous. :) Thank you for posting the photos. I am longing to go to Colonial Williamsburg - Hopefully one day.

Rebecca said...

Issy, that's the best thing about Williamsburg - it's been (essentially) the same for 250 years, so when you do get there, everything will be waiting for you! I hope you get to go soon, it's such a special place. :-)

PS - I love your profile picture. It's so pretty! Where's it from?

Issy said...

Thank you. :) It's from the 2004 version of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'North and South'. It's Edith Shaw (I can't remember the name of the actor though).

Rebecca said...

Ah yes, of course! I thought that gorgeous blue gown looked familiar! Wouldn't you just die to go play in the BBC's costume storehouse for a day?! *sigh* Think I need to dig out N&S tonight...it's been a while since I've had a good dose of Gaskell!

Issy said...

That would a dream come true *dreamy sigh* :) all those beautiful costumes!

I know the gown is beautiful, I really want it, but I would be happy to settle for a copy!! :)