What Martha Washington Might Have Worn

Last week, on National First Ladies Day, I gave a presentation titled What Martha Washington Might Have Worn. It was a rousing success and several people have asked if I could post the slides and video here on my website for future educational purposes.

What Martha Washington Might Have Worn

Many of you have been following along on this journey with me as I have traveled to Mount Vernon and shared my sewing updates on Instagram.

I gave this first presentation at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival as part of the National First Ladies Day and #America250 celebration. My daughter in law, Megan, kindly acted as my model.

The Presentation Video

If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.

The video runs approximately 5o minutes. To shorten the watch time in the lower right hand corner of the video you can click on the gear icon. Then select playback speed 1.25 or 1.5.

The Presentation Slides

These slides are copyrighted and the property of Laura Ingalls Gunn. They may not be used in any form without the express written consent/permission of the author.

Experts On 18th Century Fashion and/or Martha Washington

Kathrin Breitt Brown is the historic costumer at Mount Vernon. You can see her continuing work on the Mount Vernon website and featured in a wonderful post HERE.

Dr. Cynthia E. Chin is an art and material culture historian. She has a website as well as Instagram.

Amanda Isaac curator at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. She is often featured on the sites Instagram channel.

Tessa Payer is the Assistant Curator, Textiles & Historic Dress at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. You may be interested in attending the Symposium on Historical Dress this November 5-7, 2026. She also features her research on Substack.

Brooke Wellborn often hosts historical fashion workshops at Burnley & Trowbridge. You may follow her via Adventures in Mantua Making on Instagram.

Update

During my research I could find no credible sources that documented Lady Washington wore homespun fabric. I have now become aware that Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, noted that Martha Washington while at Valley Forge wore “a plain, brown gown [made of]
homespun stuff.” From Houses of the Founding Fathers: The Men Who Made America and the Way They Lived by Hugh Howard, page 147.

In the upcoming weeks I will be sharing a closer look at some of the garments created for this presentation. Posts will include historical research as well as pattern and sewing information.

Many thanks to my friend, Eide Guerinot for sourcing the white chintz fabric.