Hixson resident re-creates iconic dress for Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum

Goodson readies another feather for the gown's shoulder. Goodson readies another feather for the gown's shoulder.

By Lisa Denton June 21, 2019 10 min read

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Gone With the Wind Museum

A model poses in Michael Goodson's replica burgundy ballgown from

Michael Goodson completed about half of the work on the dress in his sewing room at home. / Photo from Michael Goodson

Embellishments on the bodice were meticulously placed to mirror the original. / Photo from Michael Goodson

Michael Goodson pushes bezels through the back of the fabric and flattens the prongs with a screwdriver. / Photo from Michael Goodson

Michael Goodson had to sort through 200 feathers of various lengths to attach to the burgundy ballgown. He stacked them to achieve volume. / Photo from Michael Goodson

Michael Goodson threads a needle to sew feathers on a replica gown from the movie "Gone With the Wind."

Michael Goodson sews feathers to the back of the gown.

Michael Goodson stacked individual feathers to achieve the correct volume.

Three of the 500 jewels on a "Gone With the Wind" replica gown made by Michael Goodson.

The finished dress is ready for transport to the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum. Goodson made this dress for the museum's collection to replace one he made 20 years ago that was not as historically accurate. / Photo from Michael Goodson

For this dress, Michael Goodson constructed a bustle to the specifications used by Hollywood designer Walter Plunkett for the original burgundy ballgown in "Gone With the Wind." / Photo from Michael Goodson

Michael Goodson sews feathers on a replica gown from the movie

Scarlett O’Hara likely would have slapped Michael Goodson for such an impertinent comment.

To understand the underpinnings of her burgundy party dress, Goodson says, “you have to get your hands in there.”

He means no impropriety. To mark the 80th anniversary of the release of “Gone With the Wind,” the Hixson resident has fashioned a replica ballgown from the Academy Award-winning movie. Over the past few weeks, he has spent at least 120 hours measuring, cutting and sewing the 16 yards of red velvet required to replicate the dress. (For comparison, an average floor-length dress might take 3 yards of fabric.)

Besides the luxurious drapes of fabric he has pieced together and lined in another 16 yards of matching satin, he has fastened 500 jewels to the bodice and skirt and attached a profusion of ostrich feathers.

“All of those jewels – believe me, my hands know how many there are,” he says.