Never did I think I would make bonnets and then blog about them
February 25, 2009
It's Pioneer Day for the third grade tomorrow. Think Little House on the Prairie, the Virginia reel and butter churning. Add in costumes, for kids AND parent volunteers, and you get a pretty good idea of what is going on.
I made three skirts, four bonnets and an apron this weekend. For the bonnets, I used Simplicity 3723 only because I didn't have time to order this pattern (click on shop and find bonnet pattern) from Amy. They came together pretty easily although I did tweak the pattern a bit. The skirts are just two lengths of fabric sewn up the sides, hemmed and with a casing for elastic at the waist. Kate doesn't need an outfit for school, but I couldn't leave her out of the fun. She and Jane are both reading Little House in the Big Woods and I knew she would want her own bonnet. For her skirt, I put in a very large hem. That way, in two years, I can just take the hem out and redo it and she will be ready to go.
I could just pinch her, she's so cute.
oh yes, she wears that bonnet well!
Posted by: rachel | buttons magee | February 25, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Those are just adorable. Which one is yours?
And I would pinch her too.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | February 25, 2009 at 09:44 AM
sweet :)
Posted by: beki | February 25, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I know you hear it a lot
but...
you're so talented!
what great memories you're making with your children! I would have LOVED a bonnet, skirt, and apron when I was consumed by little house.
Posted by: kristyn | February 25, 2009 at 09:58 AM
she's so cute in her bonnet!!!
Posted by: amandajean | February 25, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Oh! Is that lavender gingham I see? Cute, cute, cute!
Posted by: caroline | February 25, 2009 at 10:08 AM
So, will you be sharing a photo of you in full costume?
Posted by: Eren | February 25, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Gorgeous bonnet! Just had to write...
Posted by: The Magic Onions | February 25, 2009 at 10:23 AM
We had pioneer day in 3rd grade. All though I don't think we called it there. And we got to wear bonnets, and have school in a one room schoolhouse at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. Our bonnets were not this lovely though. And we definitely did the Virgina Reel.
Posted by: Sara | February 25, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I wish I could dress like that every day! So cute!!
Posted by: rustandroses | February 25, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Oh how fun! I went to Daniel Boone Elementary School in Missouri and we did this. I loved those days!!
Posted by: Kelly | February 25, 2009 at 10:44 AM
That is a great picture. Well done!
Posted by: Kristina | February 25, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Wow I absolutely love the bonnet! I want to make one for my daughter just because it is so cute (she is nowhere near being old enough for a pioneer day at school - she is 14 months old).
Posted by: Bonnie | February 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I was around 9 years old when the U.S. celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976. My mother made our whole family Little House-style clothes that we wore in our town's parade. I loved my blue calico dress with white apron and bonnet.
***********
Flash forward thirty years. My daughter found these clothes in storage at my mom's house. She started wearing them to school every once in a while, just because she loved them so much, and just because she loved Laura Ingalls Wilder's books so much. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Maribeth | February 25, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Delightful!
Posted by: Andrea | February 25, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Love it!
I just tweaked the kid version of that pattern to make a Helen Keller costume for my daughter to wear to her "wax museum" tomorrow.
Posted by: Char | February 25, 2009 at 11:13 AM
So sweet!
Posted by: Ashley Ann | February 25, 2009 at 11:18 AM
you are just too much! what a wonderful job.
Posted by: christine | February 25, 2009 at 11:29 AM
My girls are way into the Little House series- they dress up in the things I used as a kid- but we need new bonnets, so I will definitely make these! Thank you!
Posted by: mary | February 25, 2009 at 11:55 AM
this is so cute!
for ellie's bday a few years back, we had a "little house" theme. we square danced, made handkerchief dolls, bean bag games...and my favorite, instead of candy bag favors, the girls made their own little posy with fresh flowers I bought at the Farmers Market.
when we finished the "little house" series I had the hardest time finding books I wanted to read to the kids...we loved them! I can't wait to re-read them to penny.
okay, enough from me.
Posted by: carol | February 25, 2009 at 01:24 PM
We must be running in the same circle--not only did I just finish the class quilt, I made the bonnets last Fall for my daughter's class. They look adorable!
Posted by: Cindy | February 25, 2009 at 02:37 PM
OK, that was in 4th grade for me AND it was the highlight of my educational career. I'M NOT KIDDING!!! Hands on learning is where it's at. The rest is just a big bore. Here's hoping it is as magical for you guys tomorrow. If I wasn't two states away I'd be hopping in a car;)
Posted by: Courtney | February 25, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Makes me want to be Laura! Oh, Little House On The Prairie seems like so much fun!
Beautiful bonnets.
Rebecca
RootsAndWingsCo.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rebecca | February 25, 2009 at 02:58 PM
That's great! I can't wait until my little girl is old enough to appreciate the awesomeness of bonnets!
Posted by: Holly | February 25, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Aren't bonnets great? I made about eight of them last year...and now I'll be making the dress to go with it for my third grader's wax museum. She's going to be Laura Ingalls. I have the Simplicity 3758 pattern--it's the kids' version.
Nice job--love the fabrics, as usual.
Posted by: Meg Evans | February 25, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Ugh! It's 3725--I wasn't paying attention to the keypad.
Posted by: Meg Evans | February 25, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Your daughter is adorable! I made my girls bonnets when we were reading the Little House on the Prairie series a few years ago. We would pile into my bed every night, they would put their bonnets on, and we would read. It was so much fun.
Posted by: JulieKP | February 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
How cool is that, I'm reading those books to my daughter now, and she of course wanted a bonnet. Since I have no idea how to make one (or even what they were called), I asked for help on my blog, and got some tips, but no 'real' pattern was mentioned. But here it is! I will certainly order it :)
Posted by: therese | February 25, 2009 at 05:28 PM
I remember Colonial Day well. I asked my daughter what I should wear and she said "Anything - All your clothes are colonial" I have been scarred for life. Hopefully I have a better wardrobe now.
Posted by: Beth | February 25, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Those bonnets are adorable! My sister and I had some that my grandmother made when we were kids and we loved them so much! Your girls sure are lucky :).
Posted by: Andrea | February 25, 2009 at 07:26 PM
I couldn't be more jealous or nostalgic if I tried. I looked forward to Pioneer Days in school like it was CHRISTMAS. The Little House On The Prairie books are my favorite possessions and I can't wait to share them with my daughter. Thank God schools still do pioneer days!
Posted by: jessica m. | February 25, 2009 at 08:59 PM
I was pretty darn obsessed with LHOTP when I was little and all I ever wanted was a bonnet, but alas mom only ever made one for my American Girl doll. Although, that did allow me to live out all my fantasies of being a pioneer girl with my sister and our dolls! I think we need a picture of the three of you in your pioneer garb!
Posted by: Margot | February 25, 2009 at 09:37 PM
yes, so cute.
my sister wore a bonnet as a beach hat when we were kids. your photos make me want to make one for my gal for the beach days ahead.
Posted by: cloth.paper.string | February 25, 2009 at 10:50 PM
You continue to amaze me! Wonderful!
Posted by: dawn | February 25, 2009 at 11:18 PM
i need a picture of the skirt! my girls are gonna love this....
Posted by: molly | February 26, 2009 at 12:30 AM
I said this on flickr before, but I would have wanted EVERY day to be Pioneer Day when I was a girl. Your skirts and bonnets are so cute. I hope they have a great time!!! (And that photo of Kate is the cutest thing in the world.)
Posted by: Grace | February 26, 2009 at 12:49 AM
ps: i keep forgetting to mention that i really like your new banner.
Posted by: Grace | February 26, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Oh how l loved little house on the prairie when l was a little girl and wanted to dress like that everyday,your work is truely precious!!! l will start sewing for my little girl asap :)
Posted by: carolyn jurrjens | February 26, 2009 at 05:44 AM
You can't go wrong with bonnets, my girls love to dress up and play "Long time ago" girls.
Posted by: Yvonne | February 26, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Great picture! We have a "dress yourself as your favorite book character" in a week's time...my DD wants to be a dalmatian from 101 dalmatians...Couldn't she have chosen something easier to sew!! ;o)
Posted by: Jane Weston | February 26, 2009 at 08:23 AM
we are waaaaaay into pioneers in our house too and love dressing up in pioneer clothing. love the bonnet pic. please, let us see a pic of the whole outfit.
:-)
Posted by: Colleen | February 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM
These are beautiful!
Posted by: Laura | February 26, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I'm making a Daniel Boone outfit for my son this weekend. On Monday his class is to dress-up with boys as DB and girls as Laura Ingalls Wilder. My kindergarten twins have to dress as Dr. Seuess characters. They'll be Things 1 & 2, of course!
Posted by: jennie | February 26, 2009 at 02:25 PM
I love the fabrics that you have used.
Posted by: jodi | February 26, 2009 at 06:25 PM
what a lovely pile of bonnets !
gorgeous fabrics all together like that :)
Posted by: charlotte | February 27, 2009 at 05:03 AM
I love love love prairie wear. I wish we had something fun like that going on around here. I'd join in the fun!
Posted by: Carolyn | February 27, 2009 at 09:58 AM
too much fun! we have an assortment of prairie clothes and bonnets too! you're such a good ma!
Posted by: Lisa Q | February 27, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Those bonnets are adorable! Your daughter is beautiful. Great stuff!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 27, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Very cute! What stiffener did you use?
Posted by: Liz | February 27, 2009 at 06:11 PM
She, and the bonnet, are AWESOME! What a great job you did on creating both!
Posted by: kerri | February 28, 2009 at 11:09 AM