Posted in 1880s, 1890s, Millinery

Homesteader dress and bonnet

The majority of garments I create are custom made/custom order garments. This garment is a custom designed gown taken from the pages of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. This gown will be worn for Laura Ingalls Wilder and American frontier interpretations.

This client was very hands on and had a definite idea of how she wanted her final dress to look. She provided fabric and detailed notes about how and with what it was to be trimmed.

Homesteader dress Laura Ingalls WilderPioneer bustle dress

I designed and constructed the dress. It is made of 100% reproduction cotton calico. The bodice is fully lined. The trim is navy blue braid and the buttons are silk taffeta. I also made the following cotton undergarments:

Bustle padPetticoat for bustle

Included is a matching straw bonnet.

1880s homesteader bonnet1880s pioneer bonnet

Overall, this client was very pleased with her garments and will reorder again sometime soon!

About Susan

Hi! My name is Susan and I am a historian, seamstress, teacher, mother, and wife. My passion for history has manifested itself in the art of recreating clothing from different periods of time. Growing up in the American South, I am heavily schooled in the art of recreating clothing from the 19th century. After nearly a decade of immersing myself primarily in the Victorian period, I found the need to branch out and explore other periods of time. However, it is my connection with the American South and the clothing of rural America that continues to be the driving force behind my designs.