Fixing A Prairie Man’s Shirt

Hello friends! Last month I shared a post about the Little House 50th Anniversary Celebration in Independence, Kansas.  While visiting the historical site Mr. Dean Butler, who portrayed the beloved Almanzo Wilder, had an epic exchange with a covered wagon seat. All the spectacular details can be found on a reel on his Instagram site.  In the reel Dean and I discussed how we would attempt to salvage a garment that was torn during the event. As I’ve just finished decorating my new 19th century-inspired sewing space I was more than ready to start Fixing A Prairie Man’s Shirt.

Fixing A Prairie Man’s Shirt

To give a bit of the back story the Little House cast and crew had traveled to the Little House historical site. To prepare for a photo shoot Dean climbed up into the covered wagon. Upon sitting down the seat gave way and sent poor Dean tumbling backwards into the wagon bed. Thankfully, he was not hurt but the back of his shirt hem was in shreds. 

I started thinking about how the pioneers would have absolutely tried to repair the shirt given that fabric was so exspensive. So I asked Dean if he would like me to see if anything could be done with the shirt. 

We had some fun making the reel for his Instagram. 

(Shoutout to my favorite hometown girl in the back: Ms. Charlotte Stewart aka Miss Beadle  and the gallant Mr. Michael Santos aka Mr. Beadle.)

Knowing that at least three inches of the hem would need to be cut off  I began looking for inspiration as to how the shirt could be transformed into something wearable. It perhaps would not be something Dean would wear in public, but a nice second layer to wear around the house when it was cold. 

I thought of various clothing designs such as the barn coat and the camp shirt. These designs both have a strait hem. I decided to peruse the Filson website as they are the makers of Dean’s original shirt. Sure enough, I found a camp shirt style that would suit the alterations that needed to be done. 

This Week’s Video

In this week’s YouTube video I share the steps, as well as the tools, I used to complete the repair. While stitching I share fun stories of Dean and the Ingalls/Wilder families. 

The alteration to the shirt ended up being not to shabby. I think Pa would be proud.  

If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.

 

Want More Dean?

Dean has written a wonderful new book, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond. You can also order a signed copy.

There is also a Little House 50th weekly podcast hosted by the lovey Pamela Bob and starring dear Dean along with our favorite prairie bad girl, Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson).

I watch it on Youtube but you can also find it on a variety of other platforms. 

Want More Little House?

At the top of this website there is a tab titled Little House. There you can find numerous decor, craft and recipe ideas inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Including the Little House on the Prairie Costume Collection. 

Many thanks to Mr. Dean Butler for a fun opportunity!

Thank you for visiting!

Laura