A Tasha Tudor Inspired Pioneer Work Dress

Hello sweet friends! Welcome to a very fun Fashion Friday! In just two short weeks Lessons With Laura will celebrate its season finale. If you would like to catch up on the Little House inspired crafts, recipes, and historic fashion all of the posts can be found HERE. To prepare for this event as well as to transition into the holidays I have made A Tasha Tudor Inspired Pioneer Work Dress.

A Tasha Tudor Inspired Pioneer Work Dress

Even if you don’t know Tasha Tudor by name you probably have long admired her work. Tasha Tudor is one of America’s most beloved illustrators and authors of children’s literature. Her artwork that graces the pages of Mother Goose, The Secret Garden and The Wind in the Willows is instantly recognizable. Her classic Christmas card designs remain popular to this day.

Tasha Tudor created an enchanting world for herself at her farm in Marlboro, Vermont. In the early 1970s her son, Seth built a 1750s inspired Cape Cod-style farmhouse using only hand tools. It was christened Corgi Cottage. 

Tasha surrounded herself with a heartwarming menagerie of goats, chickens, parrots, and of course, corgis. She would remain amazingly productive until her passing in 2008 at the age of 93.

Historical Clothing Collection

Tasha Tudor is also well known for her amazing historic clothing collection. The vast majority of it was sold at auction in 2007. While her love of 1830’s fashion is clearly evident my favorite selections are from other eras. 

Green changeable silk dress, 1840’s. 

Pink silk brocade robe a la Francaise, 1770-1780

Checked work dress, France, c. 1840

Now the last dress might surprise you. How could a work dress be a favorite what with all the other gorgeous offerings?

It is simply this: I have always been drawn to what the everyday woman might have worn. 

Indeed, I suspect that Tasha herself was too. 

In her daily life, she was usually found wearing simple work dresses. 

Hallmarks of Tasha Tudor Style

The fabric was always cotton, glorious cotton. In shades of blue, tan, turkey red, and other earthy tones.

The dresses generally featured a front closing bodice. 

Mother of pearl or wood buttons were often used. 

The dresses could feature a gathered yoke reminiscent of a “Mother Hubbard” style frock. 

Or were a simple plain front.

But always were without a collar.

This is so a wide variety of kerchiefs could be worn as an accessory. 

She was also rarely found without an apron on. 

The length generally hits at the ankle. 

All the better to keep your hem clean while working on the farm. 

A straight sleeve was preferred. I suspect that excess fabric would interfere in her work. 

A Shawl For Warmth

Living in New England Tasha could often be seen wearing some type of sweater year-round. 

In the shade of her glorious spring garden. 

Always creating. 

Her charming ensembles were often embellished with a brooch. 

At Christmastime, a red shawl would appear. 

Sometimes cranberry in color.

Or a glorious cardinal red. 

Creating The Dress

I used two patterns to achieve the look I was wanting. 

For the main body of the dress, I used McCalls 4548. It is out of print but can easily be found on sites such as Etsy and eBay. 

As with all my historically inspired fashions, a mock-up of the bodice was made to ensure the size selected would fit. It was made from a piece of linen left over from a previous project. The mock-up bodice fit well and became the interior bodice lining. 

The collar, sleeve, and hem tucks in the pattern were not used.

The pattern went together easily and I will probably use it again in the future. 

For the sleeves, the Truly Victorian 420 pattern was selected. I had used the pattern previously and knew it would provide the slim silhouette I was seeking. 

The fabric was found last year at an estate sale. It was originally a garish yellow. But when finding 6 yards of good vintage fabric for $1, you buy it! 

An attempt to dye it a lovely indigo color was made. As is the fickle nature of dyes it came out green. 

I also had to end up piecing the sleeves. The vintage fabric was just 35 inches wide. At just six yards it was a challenge to get an entire full-length dress with a full pleated skirt out of it. So creativity was required! The sleeve seam where the fabric was joined was hidden with simple cotton trim. 

If you would like a closer look at this interior seam I shared it in this Youtube video. 

The Grand Finale

The dress was finished in time to wear to the Little House in the Prairie site in Independence, Kansas. I went there to work and film footage for the Lessons With Laura season finale. 

Fun note: the apron was created from fabric from my first pioneer dress I made a few years ago. This was a nod to Tasha Tudor’s fondness for reusing and repurposing things. 

It was so comfortable and easy to work in. 

The wool sontag (a long slim shawl that overlaps in front and is secured in the back) had been made for me a few years ago. It was so warm against the strong prairie winds.

I opted to wear a sunbonnet to protect my face from the sun. 

After all, Tasha loved sunbonnets too. Her drawings often depicted children wearing them. 

Pumpkin Moonshine

You’ll soon see me wearing the dress in upcoming Youtube videos when I share Tasha Tudor inspired Christmas crafts and decor. 

The season of magic begins on Monday, November 30th. 

Until then, here is a sneak peek. 

Take Joy!

Laura