How to Make a Pioneer Costume

Pioneer Halloween costumes are favorites for little girls who love Little House on the Prairie. Even if you don't know how to sew, you can come up with a good pioneer costume by using what you can find at thrift stores. If you do know how to sew, you can make everything from bonnets to bloomers. This is a perfect costume for Northern climates where trick-or-treaters have to deal with cold weather. You can bundle up beneath the big dress and still stay warm.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Girl's Pioneer Costume

1. Find a good base dress. The base of a great pioneer costume is a longish dress with long sleeves. If you can sew, you can find a number of great patterns for a dress like this. If you don't sew, go to a thrift store and look for a good dress. Calico, cotton with a small floral pattern, is a great fabric for a pioneer dress. The dress doesn't need a waistline because you'll be adding an apron later on.

2. Find some bloomers. Again, if you sew, you can make the bloomers as fancy as you want. If you don't sew, you can cut scrubs to mid-calf length. Put a pair of white tights under these and you'll not only look authentic but also stay warm on a cold night.

3. Add an apron. There are different kinds of aprons that work well for pioneer costumes. A pinafore-style apron, like the one in the picture above, looks wonderful on little girls. It really dresses up a simple dress. Waist-style aprons, like you might find in the kitchen, also work very well. You can even safety pin a white dish towel to the dress, and it will make a mighty fine apron.

4. Add a shawl. A crocheted tablecloth or afghan works great as a shawl for a pioneer costume. If it's extra cold, the shawl can be pulled up over your head to keep you warm.

5. Buy or make a bonnet. Pioneer bonnets can be difficult to come by if you don't sew. However, there are companies online and costume shops in your town where you can find a bonnet.

6. Find Pioneer-appropriate shoes. For a genuine pioneer look, see if you can find some lace-up boots. If you're going simple, use Mary Jane shoes.

Boy's Pioneer Costume

7. Find a good base. A good base for a boy's pioneer costume includes a cotton collared shirt and a pair of khaki pants. You probably already have these at home, but if you don't, look at a thrift store.

8. Add a pair of suspenders. Remember Michael Landon's suspenders in Little House on the Prairie? Any color suspenders will do.

9. Find a good hat. A straw or leather cowboy hat works best. If you're worried about it falling off at Halloween parties, poke holes just above the ears and add a strap.

10. Get a pair of cowboy boots. If you can't find cowboy boots, wear a pair of loafers or dress shoes.

11. Look for accessories. A hobby horse would be a fun accessory for a little pioneer boy. Bigger pioneer boys worked hard, so a garden tool or wooden tool box for holding Halloween candy would be nice.

Tips & Warnings

• Think of fun accessories to carry, like a basket or a little oil lamp. Maybe your little pioneer could collect candy in a basket instead of a plastic pumpkin.