A Day at Mary Dickinson's - An AG Photostory

(Just so you know, I took the name of the shop from my favorite store in Colonial Williamsburg.)

It was a lovely spring day and Ruthie was going shopping at Mary Dickinson’s shop.  Her friend Elizabeth worked there.

“Hello, Ruthie!” said Elizabeth as Ruthie walked in.  “Welcome to Mary Dickinson’s.”

“Thank you,” Ruthie replied.  “I have come looking for a new spring dress and accessories.”

Elizabeth smiled.  “Well, I am sure you can find whatever you need here.  Feel free to look around!”

Ruthie looked at some things on one of the shelves and spotted a lovely embroidered purse.
Picking it up, she decided she would have to buy it.  It was so pretty, and it went with her dress, too!

Next she went to look at fabrics.  There were so many colors and textures to choose from!

A pale blue silk caught her eye, so she picked it up.  Ruthie fingered the fabric and decided this would be just right for a new gown.

Ruthie went over to the next display, where there were plenty of shoes.

She picked up the carved fan and practiced flicking it open and holding it against her face.

After setting the fan back, Ruthie took another look at the shoes and chose some pink satiny slippers to try on.  They were a perfect fit!  They would have to go home with her too.

Next to the shoes were some hats.  Her favorite was one with pink flowers and blue ribbon.

Going over to the mirror, she set the hat on her head and tied a bow under her chin and admired the effect.  She loved it!  It was her favorite thing she had seen in the shop today.

Ruthie turned around to see Elizabeth.  “Are you finding everything all right?” Elizabeth asked.

“Oh, yes!” said Ruthie.  “I especially love this hat.  Do you think you could help me place an order for a dress?”

“I would love to!” said Elizabeth.  “Did you see our examples up there?  We have those made already, if you would like one of those.”

Ruthie’s favorite was a purple one with white stripes and embroidered flowers.  “I like that one,” she said to Elizabeth.  “Could you show it to me?”

Elizabeth went and pulled the purple gown out from the fabric.  “Here it is!”

It was beautiful!  Ruthie could not wait to try it on.

But first Elizabeth had to take some measurements so that she could adjust the dress a little bit to fit Ruthie.

While Elizabeth was sewing, Ruthie looked around the shop some more.

She slipped a quilted velvet cloak over her shoulders and struck a pose.  Ruthie liked the green color, but it was getting too warm outside for her to wear it.

As she was looking at necklaces, she saw a choker that would go perfectly with her new gown.

Just then, Elizabeth came back with the finished dress draped over her arm.  “Would you like to try it on?” she asked.

“Oh, yes!”

Ruthie went into a small room at the back of the shop to change.  When she came out, she twirled around.  The shimmery taffeta made a nice sound as she moved.  “I love it!”

Ruthie decided to wear her new gown and hat home.  She waited as Elizabeth packaged up her other things.  Her other purchases included a purple choker, a purse, the pink shoes, some green stockings clocked with daisies, and a new pocket embroidered with springy-colored flowers.

On her way out, Ruthie looked at the blue silk again.  Her purple gown was prettier, but she decided that she would keep the silk in mind for her next visit to Mary Dickinson’s.