Most pioneers sewed their own clothing.
If you want to make a pioneer girl costume quickly, a few items from around the house will suffice. When a child lets you know at the last minute that she needs to be a pioneer girl the next day at school, or when you do not have the funds to purchase a costume for a special event, turn to the cabinets and closets for a solution. The pioneers were very resourceful in their daily lives. Use similar tactics to make a costume.
Instructions
1. Find a floor-length dress. If the child does not have a plain cotton or polyester floor-length dress, search the adult's closet. Mom's short dress will touch the floor on a small girl. A plain white or flowered dress is preferred. Use safety pins to shorten the sleeves and length of the dress. Tie the waist in place with a matching scarf or sash.
2. Tie a kitchen apron around the waist of the dress. If one is not available, create one. Cut a strip of white cardboard as wide as the front of the child. Punch a hole in each end and tie ribbon through the holes. Cut the ribbon long enough to tie around the child's waist. Cut tissue paper twice the width of the cardboard, gather evenly and glue in place on the cardboard strip. Cut the length of the tissue paper to the child's knees.
3. Find a bonnet. If you do not have one, create one. Measure from the chin on one side of the child's face, over the head to the chin on the other side. Measure the same length on a piece of white cardboard. Measure 3 inches wide and cut the strip of cardboard out. Punch a hole on each end and tie a piece of ribbon through each hole to act as a tie for the bonnet. Cut a piece of wrapping paper or craft tissue to twice the length of the cardboard. Use paper that is 15 to 20 inches wide. Gather evenly along one side of the cardboard brim and glue in place. When putting the bonnet on, put the glue side down to hide the gathers and glue. Face the tissue side towards the back of the head. The bonnet will hang loosely in the back, much like a head scarf. Trim the tissue paper down so it falls just above the shoulders and tuck under long hair if present.
4. Choose white socks and black shoes to finish the costume.
Tags: tissue paper, floor-length dress, glue place, hole each, inches wide
