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Costume in a Day

During the Costume Society of American's 1998 meeting, the milliner's shop staff proved that they could make a lady's gown in one day, as their 18th century counterparts advertised. Unlike today, when labor is expensive and fabric relatively inexpensive, the reverse was true in the 18th century. The milliner relied on several seamtresses in in her workroom who could complete a custom-ordered gown on short notice. The milliner laid fabric on the customer to take her measure, cutting the fabric to her form. As the backroom seamstresses stitched the pieces together, the milliner consulted her notes regarding the customer's measurements, or fit the garment directly to the customer, making adjustments as necessary."

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Milliner and Mantua Maker

Janea Whitacre has been creating beautiful dresses in the Margaret Hunter Shop for 24 years. August 7, 2006

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Fashion and Function

A corset's engineered strictness defines the shape of the 18th-century woman. Journeywoman Brooke Welborn explains the trend. May 5, 2008

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The Art of the Cut

Translating a man's measurements into suits for all seasons is the task of the skillful tailor, says apprentice Neal Hurst. June 18, 2007

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75 Years of Costume Design

Colonial Williamsburg marks 75 years of costumed interpretation in 2009. Costume Design Center Director Brenda Rosseau describes the metamorphosis from 1934. November 2, 2009

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Clothing Speaks

Clothing says what words do not, in the 18th century as well as the 21st. Textiles and costumes curator Linda Baumgarten explains. January 29, 2007

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Telling the story of colonial women.

Kristen Spivey reveals some surprises about 18th-century women and their role in history. March 6, 2006

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