Hello sweet friends, Happy New Year’s Eve! I thought long and hard about what my last post of the year should be. To fully encompass what 2024 has meant to me is hard to put into words. As many of you know it has truly been the hardest of years for me healthwise as well as our home seemingly breaking down all at once. But there was so much joy and goodness that happened in between. Much of it is owed to what I like to call Little House magic. It has now all culminated in My Costumes Are Now In A Museum.
You may recall at the start of 2024 I took six weeks off of work so that I could sew 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to create the initial Little House 50th Anniversary Costume Collection.
It began with Mother Wilder from the holiday episode The Christmas They Never Forgot.
Miss Beadle
Next came my beloved Miss Beadle.
I then introduced Caroline Ingalls, Mary Ingalls, Adam Kendall, and Reverend Alden HERE.
Just in the nick of time I finished a total of 12 Little House characters to take to the festival in Simi Valley.
Close to 20,000 people visited the fashion exhibit that included costume replicas of Nellie Oleson, Nancy Oleson, Hester Sue Terhune, Doc Baker, Sarah Carter, Caroline Ingalls, Mary Ingalls, Carrie Ingalls, Grace Ingalls, Laura Ingalls, Almanzo Wilder and Mother Wilder.
I also created several garments for myself and my children to wear at the festival.
This included a few Country Girls Coats.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Taking the show on the road I debuted baby Rose and toddler Rose at an event in Kansas.
In Connecticut the character of Albert Ingalls was introduced.
Eliza Jane
One challenge was driving to each of the events with a dozens mannequins, tubs of costumes and our personal luggage. I was one mannequin short at a Pennsylvania appearence so I decided to just wear the Eliza Jane costume much to the delight of beloved actress Lucy Lee Flippin.
Country Girls Dress
In October there was a fun sew along when I created Nellie Oleson’s Country Girls dress.
The Collection
But I dearly love what came last.
One of my all time favorite episodes from Season 3, is titled The Collection. It stars legends June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash.
In most of the episode Johnny Cash’s character, Jacob Hodgekiss, wears Reverend Alden’s stolen clerical suit as he impersonates a minister. At the end of the episode Jacob’s devoted wife Mattie, portrayed by June Carter Cash, wears a simple blouse, skirt and bonnet in various autmnal shades.
Mattie Hodgekiss Costume
During the course of my research I discovered that with the exception of June Carter Cash being 2 inches taller than me all of our measurements were the same.
My dear friend Anisa of Fentons Photography took the following images of the finished costume.
My Costumes Are Now In A Museum
In the process of creating screen replica costumes I generally create a prototype of the costume. I am absolutely thrilled to share with you that the prototype costumes for the Jacob and Mattie Hodgekiss characters are now on permanent display at The Hideaway Farm. This beautiful 1830s farmhouse was a special home to the Cash family.
I’ll be sharing more about this increidible museum in a future post.
It was the absolute thrill of a lifetime to deliver to the costumes to Brian and Sally Oxley. They are the wonderful owners and caretakers of this magnificent property.
It brings such joy to my heart that these costumes can now be enjoyed by visitors who love the Cash family. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Oxley for this wonderful opportunity. It is a dream come true!
I could not dream of a more perfect endcap to celebrate 50 years of Little House on the Prairie. It was an honor and privlidge to sew this collection of costumes inspired by such a beloved television show. Because of this opportunity I met so many wonderful people.
I am sure many of you might be wondering “Will there be any more Little House costumes in the future?” Take heart as I am imagine that there probably will be. Sewing this collection and seeing the joy it brought to others was truly wonderful. Who knows what the future will hold?
Until then stay tuned as my sewing machine and I will soon be traveling back in time 200 years.
May you have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Laura
So now begins the work on the book you were writing?!?!
That is so neat! I loved seeing the costumes and pictures from the Little House TV show events. I had hoped to make it to the one in Lyle, TN, to meet you if you were there, but it didn’t work out. I hope you have a wonderful 2025.
Perfect Laura…thanks for all your hard work on these sewing projects. They are magnificent! Your attention to detail certainly shows your dedication to accuracy with these costumes.
I could almost feel I was there , back in time on the prairie , even though I could only visit via the television show…it all seems so real to me as I remember the reading of all Laura’s books.
I worry about your health my friend…you are in my prayers.
Hugs and Happy New Year to you and your family.
I missed that part of the story and their museum. How AWESOME!!!! Now I will definitely have to visit there!!!
Your sewing talents are AMAZING!!!! You always match to find just the right fabrics too!!! You are an inspiration !!!!
Congratulations, Laura. They are exactly where they belong — where they can be seen and admired by all. What a year this has been for you. I especially admire your fortitude in continuing on with it all despite the jaw challenges. Sending hugs and all good wishes for the new year!