1820s Trades Fair

Last Saturday I was part of a group of tradespeople showing our skills and wares in Brentsville, VA at their historic court house. It was a lovely day and we got to tour the court house, newly restored, as well as the in-progress jail next door. If you live in the area and missed us, don't worry, the plan is to make this an annual event (though perhaps a little earlier in the year). The site dates to the 1820s, so we all had a small shift in our normal apparel.

Samantha brought a large assortment of Millinery wares, including the worlds largest hat.

I had my shoemaking set up, attempting to keep the sharp bits out of the hands of guests.

Joseph kept us very well fed; roast chicken with bacon, pork chops with onions and apples, and cucumber salad just to name a few items on the menu.

Michael set up on the tailors board, and Jay (hiding behind the tree) talked about the work of artificers and leather breeches makers.

I constructed a mid-1820s style gown from B&T lavender muslin based on an original at Snowshill (also in Costume in Detail). The fabric pleats so easily! Honestly, I didn't even iron the pleats around the hem. Also, I swear the hem isn't too long when I'm not standing in grass. I do NOT need to sew another pleat. Really, I don't.

The back fastens with hooks and eyes, the bodice and sleeves are lined in white cotton. The kerchief wrapped around the cap seems to be a common thing in images of tradeswomen.

A glimpse of my new shoes- so comfortable I wore them all weekend until it started raining!

And a glimpse of another pair of 1820s shoes, though this pair has a different owner.

Trimming down the insole for a future pair of boots.

The three ladies of the day: Sarah, Samantha, and I.

And our dapper tailor, Michael. Check out the fancy Morocco leather slippers Samantha made for him! I got to play teacher for that process.