Watch the construction of an 18th-century ensemble in only one weekend!

This activity is located in the lobby of the Education Center & Museum.

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Add to Calendar 09/09/2023 09:00:00 09/10/2023 17:00:00 America/New_York Gown in a Weekend

Watch the construction of an 18th-century ensemble in only one weekend!

This activity is located in the lobby of the Education Center & Museum.

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Become a Member for Free Admission

Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center George Washington's Mount Vernon tickets@mountvernon.org MM/DD/YYYY 15

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Watch Historical Dressmaking

Martha Washington's brown silk gown. Circa 1790-1800. Courtesy of the MVLA. Object #W-1523.

Martha Washington's brown silk gown. Circa 1790-1800. Courtesy of the MVLA. Object #W-1523.

Mount Vernon’s historic costumer, Kathrin Breitt Brown, and journeywoman mantua maker Brooke Welborn of Burnley & Trowbridge, will complete a late 1790s Italian night gown using hand stitching and 18th-century techniques.

1790s Italian Night Gown

Although called a night gown, these were day and evening gown, not the sort of night gown we might think of today. Italian night gowns were a popular style from the late 1770s into the late 1790s, with a variety of nuances in necklines, waistlines, fronts, sleeves styles, and more. 

From draping and cutting to fitting and finishing, they will use 18th-century techniques to complete the gown. Witness the fine detail needed in creating clothing using historical methods.

Portraying Martha Washington

Character interpreter Betty Brown will use the finished ensemble for a variety of programs, including her depiction of Martha Washington.

Woman's Dress (Caraco Jacket and Petticoat.) Circa 1740-1770. Courtesy of Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Object #AC1996.221.2.1-.3

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