The Sewphisticate: Fashion Show at the Bement-Billings Farmstead Museum

My passion is for historical fashions and the study, construction and wearing of them. So naturally, when Rhonda, my dear friend and the dressmaker, proposed an afternoon of fashions back in February, I jumped at the chance to fulfill a longtime dream.

Timeline of historical fashions, 1810s-1860s.
(Photographs courtesy of Carrie T.)

Our fashion show took place two Saturdays ago on June 9th as part of the annual tea and quilt turning event hosted by the Newark Valley Historical Society. This active historical society oversees and cares for two historic sites, including the Bement-Billings Farmstead Museum, and a nature trail in the heart of Newark Valley, northern Tioga County, NY. For more information or to plan your visit, please see their website here: Newark Valley Historical Society or on Facebook.

I was so impressed with my first visit to Newark Valley and the historic farmstead. Rhonda serves as both the curator and costumer at the Bement-Billings House, which preserves the early domestic life and agriculture practices of the region, and was where the event took place.

Front of the Bement-Billings House.

Back of the historic house.

Tea & Quilt Turning

The tea, arranged by the members of the cooking and guides guild, was set up in the two parlors. Four types of tea sandwiches, including cream cheese, ham, chicken and egg salad, melt-in-the-mouth lime puffs, coconut macaroons, and maids of honor tarts, my personal favorite, were among the homemade treats served.

The early parlor.

The front parlor.

After the tea and fashion show, the quilt turning, featuring both antique and modern creations with their unique stories, commenced in the reconstructed, Herrick family threshing barn.

Catching the end of the quilt turning.

The ladies made sure that we enjoyed our fill of the delicious tea treats ourselves!

(Photograph courtesy of Rhonda B.)

Relaxing with company and conversation after the show.

Historic Fashion Show

For our contribution, Rhonda and I had been brainstorming ideas for months. Finding enough models to do a traditional fashion show was ruled out early, but setting up the three bedrooms and modeling two garments each was the perfect solution and allowed for a complete timeline of fashions. Together, thanks to large historic wardrobes (as well as some sewing to fill the gaps), we ended up assembling eleven outfits, three eras of undergarments (in addition to those we were wearing) and all of the accessories for our display.

Apparently I've accumulated quite the historic wardrobe over the past few years of sewing...after packing four, overflowing laundry baskets, two bonnet boxes, two dress forms and their stands, and a backseat full of dresses, there was barely any room for us in my car!

The backseat was taken over by two dress forms,
bonnet boxes and dresses!

Wondering if the trunk with four laundry baskets
and other assorted garments resting on top was going to shut...

While Rhonda and I unloaded the car, Carrie, a member of the Newark Valley Historical Society and docent at the Farmstead, arranged each of the bedroom displays. She then patiently helped us in and out of our outfits and snapped pictures during the fashion show. I am so grateful to her as we could not have done it without her unwavering support and artistic eye - many, many thanks to you, Carrie!

The 1810s display was set up in the pink bedroom: Everything from the proper undergarments, to a morning robe and day dress were laid out on the bed.

1810s fashions.

The 1830s display featured Rhonda's late-30s dress and chemisette on the form, and a complete set of undergarments and working attire on the bed.

1830s fashions.

Those long, corded stays were finished right before the show!
Blog post to follow...

The last and largest of the rooms held our 1860s display: When were originally planning the show, fashion and fiction came up as a possible theme. Perhaps that's Meg March's ballgown on the bed, and Jo's day dress and skating attire on the chair?

1860s fashions.

It was fun to pull all of the red and green themed winter attire!

For the more traditional "fashion show," Rhonda and I modeled four dresses (worn over the proper undergarments and fully accessorized) to show the changes in silhouettes from 1810 to 1860. I thought our hand lettered cards (made the night before haha) added to our presentation. As one of us walked through the two parlors conversing with guests about our respective decades, the other dressed upstairs. Based on the kind words from several of the attendees, our format seemed well received!