Colonial Costume Classes
In Massachusetts, the public schools have 3rd graders study Colonial times. Many schools have Colonial Days in which the students come to school for the day dressed in costumes like children would wear during that time in history.
I have a special interest in this since my daughter is in 3rd grade this year. She has an American Girl Doll “from” Colonial Williamsburg. Elizabeth is her name. The February vacation (2006) after she received the doll, we visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. I have a friend, Amy, who coaches the Fifes and Drums corps there and often plays music on flute and piano for events in Williamsburg historic area. The visitor center allows parents to rent costumes for the children to wear. They are simple white dresses and mop caps for girls. I have to admit that I cannot remember what they had for boys, other than 3 cornered hats. It was fun for my daughter to walk around wearing the dress and cap, carrying her doll, who was in her own costume, too.
I remember when Amy started working there over 10 years ago. She talked to me about how she had to make her own dress. It had to be out of certain materials and sewn all by hand!
Well, I am not so interested in being that authentic. Meaning, I plan to use a sewing machine for most of the construction. Luckily, McCall’s Pilgrim or McCall’s Fancier Colonial and Simplicity have issued patterns for different eras in American history. Unfortunately, these patterns are only available for girls. They offer no patterns of this era for boys. The following do have patterns for both. There is a company in Colorado, Patterns of Time, which offers many historic patterns. Sewing Central offers patterns and material. You may find Kannik’s Korner on the previous 2 sites, but they do offer a few patterns for girls and boys. Harper House offers many patterns from various eras. Their link takes you to the page for Children’s Colonial clothing. All of these linked names will take you as close as I can get you to pages for patterns for Children. You may find it fun to explore the sites. I have never used the patterns of these independent companies. They may be best suited to an experienced sewer.
The patterns vary in difficulty. Last year, I made costumes for my neighbor and her daughter. They were very simple, and we can use the patterns I drafted, too.
I have purchased the McCall’s and Simplicity patterns so that I can make samples for you to see. I may end up making the more elaborate dress while we are working on your projects. I will hang it near the front window so you you can observe the progress of the outfit. As soon as I finish the first dress, I will post it online here. I will find a pattern for a boy’s outfit, too. They can be easier to manufacture from their current wardrobe by altering pants and dressing with the right accessories.
I have been trying to find a time in my class schedule that would work for us to meet as a group on this topic of sewing. I would like to propose Wednesday evenings. Or, it may be possible to do a Thursday 11am-2pm time slot. If those times do not work for you, join any class. My classes allow you to work on what you want at your own pace, so it would be fine to come at a class time that is convenient. Though, I think that working together on these outfits together can be helpful, inspiring and a lot of fun.
