Trek Clothing Principles
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Each participant (with their parents) is responsible
for acquiring their own clothing.
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Young men should be able to find their clothing
without sewing, maybe with a few modifications.
However, young women will probably need to sew some of their clothing.
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Sewing nights will be held to help those needing
sewing help; projects will include a simple skirt, and optional apron and bonnet. If you have more advanced sewing skills, you
could have expanded options for clothing (i.e. a dress instead of a skirt, a vest
for young men, petticoat, bloomers, etc.).
For guidance on historically accurate clothing, check out this site: http://www.clothingthesaints.com/the-pioneer-pack/
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In obtaining
clothing and/or fabric, we strongly encourage you to “HONOR THE SPIRIT OF
PIONEER FRUGALITY”! The pioneers used and re-used every scrap of
fabric. Look to the fabric ladies in your family and neighborhood
and see what you can get for FREE! Or, see if you have some cotton
tablecloths, cotton top sheets, or cotton drapes you might use. There
will also be some donated fabric available. Try to stick with a
small print, stripe or solid---and 100% cotton or mostly cotton. Also check thrift stores for clothing and/or
fabric.
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Making your trek clothes can count as a Value
Project.
Ideas
for getting trek clothing:
SEW
YOUR OWN COSTUME. On sewing nights,
we will be making items using the following instructions:
(Note: Though for a petticoat, made
in a cotton print, these instructions work well for a basic skirt.)
If you have sewing skills, you can use a pioneer costume
pattern from the fabric store (Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, Burda). If you watch for pattern sales, you should be
able to get one for less than $2.
HUNT THRIFT STORES FOR PIONEER-LOOKING CLOTHING (DI, Idaho Youth
Ranch, Salvation Army and small local stores).
Watch for sales. You may need to
shop several times - inventory constantly changes.
BORROW
A COSTUME Someone in your ward might have a costume
stash. Or raid your mom's closet for
that old 1980's or 1990's button-down flower print dress with the lacy collar
(you can take out the shoulder pads), or Dad's old Sunday shirts and pants.
Remember, your clothes will get sweaty, soiled and possibly ruined so do NOT borrow a nice costume that you must
return in prime shape.
MODIFY
EXISTING ITEMS
Shirts
can be made to look “pioneer” by simply cutting off the upper collar on a
regular button up shirt.
Bloomers
can be made using some cute
white 1/2 length cafe curtains or tier curtains (think white eyelet fabric,
battenberg lace), sew it up to make pant legs, and use the casing for the
curtain rod for a draw string or elastic waistband). Bloomers can also be
made from white hospital scrubs for $12.00 from Walmart. Cut them off to capri
length and add cute little eyelet trim.
Skirts can be made from curtain window panels
or cute bed sheet (think solids or small pattern, nothing too modern – be
careful that the fabric is not too thin or transparent (it will be too
revealing, especially when wet), use the curtain casing at the top (or
create one) for a drawstring or elastic band, sewn up the side(s) and hem
the bottom if necessary.
Aprons can be made of 1/2 length cafe or tier
window panels or king-size pillowcases, which come in pairs so share with a
friend! Apron ties can be made of wide bias tape or binding.
PURCHASE
A PIONEER COSTUME
Trek Clothing Requirements
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Young Women
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Young Men
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1-2 long skirts and 2 long sleeve
button-front shirts, OR 2
dresses Mid-calf or above the top of hiking
boot in length (which was standard for girls under 19 and to prevent tripping
while pulling handcarts). Cotton
fabrics in solid colors or small print; bright colors were popular. Avoid
plain white shirts and make sure the fabric is thick enough to be modest, or
wear an undershirt.
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1-2 pairs long, loose fitting cotton or linen pants, Dockers,
corduroy, khaki, or non-polyester suit pants (No jeans, camo or cargo pants) Colors
include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan.
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2 long-sleeved, loose
fitting button-front shirts (no logos), band collar style or Sunday
shirt with upper collar cut off to create a band collar. (Plain or
pinstriped, no modern prints) Light colors recommended to reduce heat
retention.
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Bonnet or full brim hat (chin
strap is helpful for the wind) Bonnets or straw hats for the
girls are required to protect from the sun. A bonnet will require about ¾ of a yard of
fabric or use a pillowcase. Bonnets can restrict vision, so you may want to
opt for a straw hat while walking.
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1 pair suspenders, rope or belt
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Wide brimmed hat - straw
hat, felt hat, newsies cap (no baseball caps or army hats)
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Apron, optional (pockets are helpful for
carrying lip balm, sunscreen, etc.)
Six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length, gathered at the waist and tied. Everyday aprons were made of calico remnants, Sunday aprons from white fabric and did not have a bib. |
Vest,
optional
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2 pair of comfortable,
well-worn shoes (hiking boots, running shoes or athletic
shoes; do NOT use new shoes or blisters are guaranteed)
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4 pairs of socks – synthetic/wicking socks such as
acrylic or polypropylene are recommended. Cotton socks can cause
blisters.
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Modest sleepwear
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Gloves for
pushing handcart
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4 sets underclothing
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1 warm jacket or sweater
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1 rain poncho
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1 handkerchief or bandana
1 pair of knee-high nylons (they will help prevent blisters from forming while walking) |
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