Colonial girl costume

How to make a colonial girl costume

The colonial era displayed an important period in history where people were essentially dressed in plain and simple clothing. Hats were basically worn by both males and females to establish specific fashion statements. Hats were also used to keep their heads warm against the cold weather. The type of environment that prevailed during this era was particularly harsh, and an indoor heating system was simply limited to a fireplace and a hot bed warmer.

Nowadays, colonial girl costumes and male colonial outfits have been predominantly used during costume events and parties such as Halloween. Little girls and young adults especially love the idea of wearing clothes that were similar to Mari Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Elizabeth. The increasing popularity of colonial girl costume and outfits initiated its recognized status of being the most sought-after costumes and outfits.

Creating a colonial girl costume and a male colonial outfit is so easy. Here's how:

In creating a colonial girl costume, the first step is to fold in half a white construction paper and try to measure the shirt's cuff. Cut the paper for it to fit. Make use of a double-sided tape to attach the white paper "cuff." Insert the paper sleeve cuffs between the paper folds and close it by using the double-sided tape.

Measure the waist-to-ankle and waist measurement. Remember to add 2 inches to the measurements derived from the waist to the ankle and double the measurement of the waist for the skirt.

Fold the fabric in order so that the right sides of the fabric are touching. Cut all adjustments and excessive fabrics. Make sure to leave at least 1 inch seam allowance and sew the outside edge.

Fold the skirt's top edges inside out, forming a casing for the elastic. Pin the fold to make sure that you have the exact allowance for the elastic to fit in. Allot at least a 1 1/2 inch seam allowance and sew the elastic casing, leaving a 3 inch gap in the center back of the casing.

Then, cut a portion of the elastic piece which measures half of the measurement of the waist. Connect and lock the safety pin in the end of the elastic piece. Connect the other end of the elastic to the fabric so you won't lose the elastic while sewing the casing. Insert the safety pin or the elastic into the casing until you can see the other end of the elastic emerging on the other end of the casing. Pin the fabric to secure the elastic inside the casing and sew the elastic unto the fabric.

Cut a fabric strip measuring 4 inches wide from the 36 x 44 inch white fabric. With the insides of the fabric touching, fold the fabric in half to form a 2 x 44 inch wide fabric strip. Pin the edges and sew.

Sew the remaining edges under so that there will be no raw edges exposed. This will be for a rectangular hem. Pin a rectangle fabric edge under a 2 inch fabric strip. Sew. This will be the apron of the girl colonial costume.

Lastly, to complete your colonial girl costume, use some pins to fix the doily on the head. This will be the pinner cap. Tuck the shirt into the skirt and tie the apron across the waist.