"I'm going back in time!" R announced a couple of weeks ago.
I assumed she was referring to some imaginative game related to her Little House on the Prairie obsession, but then she pulled a notice from her school bag about an excursion to an 'olden days school'. I felt a bit jealous, because if there's one thing I love, it's olden days stuff. Among my favourite books as a girl were - in addition to the Little House series - What Katy Did, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables and, as a token Ausssie contribution, Playing Beatie Bow. I dreamt of a time when girls wore pinafores, wrote on slates and played with rag dolls.
Having this golden opportunity to live my olden days fantasies through R, I did a bit of research to see what Australian schoolchildren wore in the early 1900s. Then, looking through R's wardrobe, I noticed something curious: she already has a heap of old-fashioned clothes, thanks to my beloved Japanese pattern books. All that was missing was a nice white pinafore, and I had the perfect pattern for it: dress A from Happy Homemade. I used some beautiful white fabric with a seersuckerish stripe and lined it with the lightest, softest lawn. I made two small modifications: I cut the shoulder ruffles a little wider for a more 'olden days' effect and - keeping the bodice the same size - I made the dress a couple of inches wider at back and front.
With her new pinny worn over her Japanese ensemble and a couple of giant hair ribbons, I reckon she really looked the part.
I'm pleased to say that R's dress came back from the excursion as snowy-white as it was in the morning, that she passed her fingernail inspection and completed her schoolwork satisfactorily (on her slate, naturally). Now to work on developing some lovely old-fashioned manners...
She really does look out of "olden days." I adored most of the books you mentioned, too - especially the Little House series. I still reread them all every few years. I can't wait to introduce my girls to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Masha. I'm so enjoying reading the Little House books to my daughter, I'm sure you will too.My 11-year-old son enjoys listening in while I'm reading as well, so they're definitely not just for girls :)
DeleteWhat fun! I'm currently reading Ballet Shoes to the kids, and the idea of the children getting their licences and contributing to the household income has them fascinated. - and thankful for living in the present!
ReplyDeleteWhat becomes of the white pinny now? Is it everyday wear. Would look funky with stripey tights and a long sleeve t underneath!
I had to look up Ballet Shoes - never heard of it! Sounds good, especially as 'Posy' is one of our nicknames for R. I'm all for books that make children appreciate the times they live in! As for the pinny, it will go in the wardrobe and will hopefully be worn again (or for future 'olden days' events...) It's prettier than it appears in the photographs; the subtle white stripe really doesn't photograph well.
DeleteThis is absolutely darling, and she is the picture of old-fashioned childhood with ribbons in her hair. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks Inder :) It had an extra wear during Book Week when R dressed up as Laura Ingalls. One day I might even get round to blogging the cute bonnet I made...
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