Creation of period costumes for Polesden Lacey

For a period of six years a volunteer heritage group worked on the creation of period costumes for Polesden Lacey, the National Trust property near Great Bookham.

The costumes are worn by volunteer NT Stewards at special events to recreate the atmosphere of the house when it was owned by the Edwardian hostess, Mrs Greville. Part of the latest stage of The Arts Society project, started 3 years ago, has been to reproduce a copy of Mrs Greville’s dress, complete with Edwardian underwear, working from a photograph from the archives. The dress is made of off-white silk georgette lined with silk satin and painted flowers picked out with hand-sewn beads and sequins. For practicality the main seams are machined but all edges, bone covers and bindings are sewn by hand. The total cost of the dress was approximately £540 plus about 2,000 voluntary hours. The costs of the project continue to be shared between East Surrey Area and the National Trust.

The Polesden Lacey staff are delighted with the completed work.  This is an amazing achievement for the Heritage Volunteers and you might like to visit Polesden Lacey and see it for yourselves.