Pioneer Dress DIY- Little House on the Prairie Costume Part 2

Today is part 2 of the Little House on the Prairie Costume which is one of our Halloween ideas.

We love sewing and making costumes. Do you? If you missed yesterday's post, you can view PART 1 of the Prairie Dress DIY here.  I explain ways I altered the construction of the pattern and tips for the changes, which will help you if you use this Little House on the Prairie pattern or another prairie dress pattern.

Prairie Dress 

To keep to the vintage feel of the Little House on the Prairie Costume, we searched forcalico prints. This is a type of print that is a small floral print and usually in a tri-color combination. We fell in love with the colors of this fabric. When I got it in the mail, I fell in love even more! It's a nice thickness and easy to sew!!

• I pre-washed and ironed my fabric before using it, and I suggest you do too. It ensures the sizing is out, and if the fabric will shrink, it's done before cutting and sewing. 
• I used an eyelet fabric for the apron and bonnet. This wasn't as thick, but it worked perfectly for this costume sewing project.

• Prairie Dress Pattern, Fabrics and Notions List

  • Sweet Shoppe Petite Nosegay
  • Eyelet Fabric 
  • Notions and Interfacings
  • Little House on the Prairie Pattern

Sewing alterations I made to pattern: I didn't do the pleating at the bottom of the skirt on the dress as shown on the pattern. It's decorative, looks pretty, and wasn't necessary. So I decided to skip it. For the apron, it's really easy to make; it's all straight stitching. Or you can just buy the bonnet and apron for the dress you sew. Or add it to a peasant dress or top with a skirt. 

I also decided to use an eyelet fabric for the apron and part of the bonnet. This was a little thin, but it worked fine for this pattern. If I were to use eyelet for anything other than something like this, I'd want a thicker blend of eyelet. But it's really pretty and easy to work with.

For the prairie skirt: I placed the skirt at the top by pinning first, as shown in the pattern. There are a lot of gathers to this skirt. It seemed too bulky when placed on top as they had shown. Then I placed the skirt underneath the top with a clean line of the finished top it seemed to look better. I hand sewed this on vs sewing on the machine. But for the skirt's bottom hem. I sewed that on the machine vs hemming.

How to make a bonnet

For the bonnet, I altered the pattern by using two different fabrics and binding tape. It fit Sammie, and was big on my granddaughter at the time. It was a one-size-fits-all bonnet. I ended up pinning the bonnet in the back for Audrey so it fit her perfectly. Worried if you can make a bonnet?

• Video tutorial for How to make a bonnet. (If you are just looking for a bonnet pattern for kids to adult size, this is the bonnet pattern in the video tutorial).

Other sewing tips that may help for this Little House on the Prairie Pattern or other Prairie patterns

• You could watch a YouTube video about how to make button holes, too, along with reading your manual if needed. (scroll down this post for suggested videos and tips)
• Be sure when using patterns to check sizes vs measurements on the pattern.
• Read the entire pattern through.
• I mark the pattern paper with a highlighter, which includes cutting layouts/directions for each item I'm making (this helps keep you from accidentally reading/sewing the wrong thing!).
• Make sure to write down the amounts of fabric needed for each thing you're making
• Make sure to write down all notions needed (threads, ribbons, lace, buttons…)
• Take out all your pattern pieces and separate them for each thing you're making (dress, hat, apron)
• Put other pattern pieces away that you're not going to use
• Order or pick up fabric and notions
• You're ready to begin!

I drove up to deliver the costume to Audrey, making sure it fit her, and it was perfect. It couldn't have worked out better if she had been here. I did have her measurements, though, which was a big help for fitting without her here. And I was able to go with them to her school harvest fair and Halloween celebration. They had a DJ in the gym, and that girl held her prairie skirt up and kicked up her heels in her boots! I was so happy to see her loving her Laura Ingalls Wilder costume! I've never seen a bigger smile from her than when I delivered it! I had one happy 6-year-old granddaughter!

• The pattern listed below comes in several sizes. We used size 7-14 girls. Use the prairie dress pattern for pioneer days, old-fashioned days, or Halloween. 
• Did you read the Little House on the Prairie series of books?  Laura Ingalls Wilder books

  

Pattern, Fabrics, and Notions List

• Sweet Shoppe Petite Nosegay
• Eyelet Fabric 
• Notions and Interfacings
• Little House on the Prairie Pattern

What types of Costumes have you made before?

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