This past week I traveled to Missouri to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival. While there the Society of the Ingalls Family also had their inaugural meeting. It was the perfect place to wear a garment I had recreated: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Pink Dress.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Pink Dress
At Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s home, Rocky Ridge, located in Mansfield, Missouri, a sweet photo takes pride of place on the mantel in the parlor. I encourage you to please visit the museum to take the full tour of this charming home.
There is also a wonderful book, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Rocky Ridge Farm: A Detailed Look Behind the Scenes by Michelle Underwood, that takes you room by room of this wonderful home.
The photo was taken in 1942 by a visiting writing club from Topeka, Kansas. They gifted the hand-tinted photo to the Wilder’s. Almanzo’s shirt is a soft blue and Laura’s dress a rosy pink. The intensity of the colors have faded with time.
A companion photo of Laura alone is equally charming. Darling Laura stood just 4′ 11″ (150 m) indeed, a half-pint. As a dressmaker I noted a few of the details of Mrs. Wilder wearing the dress.
It features:
A short ruffle at the neckline. (Laura embellished the neckline with a pin on brooch.)
Upon closer inspection there is a yoke near the upper shoulders with light gathering along the bust line.
The sleeves are slightly puffed and gathered, then end at the elbow.
Laura, as with many petite women, is short waisted. Perhaps this is why she omitted the more common style of the time, a belted waist, and instead added a coordinating fabric bow.
The narrow skirt ends right above her ankles. The overall style of the dress is reminiscent of the late 1930s.
In the early 1940s, due to a shortage of materials and fabric caused by WWII, skirts generally ended right at the knee and there were few embellishments.
Beespoke Vintage Pattern
We know that Laura Ingalls Wilder was an accomplished seamstress and she perhaps did sew this dress herself. The pattern I selected, based on my research, is from the late 1930s. It can be found on the Beespoke Vintage website. The design features short puffed sleeves, a gathered upper yoke and longer narrow skirt.
I did alter the pattern by removing the Peter Pan collar and adding a ruffled trim to the neckline. The covered belt was omitted and instead a fabric bow was created to wear at the waist.
I would classify the pattern requiring an intermediate sewing skill level.
My beautiful and talented friend, Ms. Charlotte Stewart.
I always love seeing my good friend, Joel. We laugh a lot!
The Society of the Ingalls Family
The Society of the Ingalls Family is a non-profit society dedicated to genealogical research, uplifting the Laura Ingalls Wilder historical sites, and assisting with archival research.
Our first project of good works was announced at the meeting. We will be assisting historic researcher and author Sallie Ketcham in placing a memorial marker at the unmarked grave of Baby Lane, the son of Rose Wilder Lane and Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s only grandchild.
Anyone can join the Society. Please email your request to: societyoftheingallsfamily@gmail.com
2026 Induction of Honorary Ingalls Family Members
The following individuals were inducted into the society as honorary Ingalls family members based on their support of the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Ingalls family and the historical homesites.
Please click on their names for additional information.
Also pictured is R. Lee Ingalls, president of the society.
Our Beloved and Talented Friends
Many thanks to Bruce Fontenot and Bennett Tabor for their incredible luncheon buffet.
On The Menu:
Chicken salad sandwiches
Deviled eggs
Various fruit
Homemade cupcakes, cookies and turnovers
You can see more images on this video featured on my Instagram page.
The floral centerpieces, made by yours truly, included plenty of roses.
Darling Anna is the youngest member in the Society so far!
Stay Tuned!
There are several exciting events in the works.
The weekend of August 1 and 2, 2026 at the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, Kansas the wonderful Sidney Robyn Greenbush will be the guest of honor at Carrie Ingalls’ Birthday Celebration.
There will also be several other people attending this event. To share just a few:
Michelle Underwood ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder historian and author.
Charlotte Randall Yerke ~ dialogue coach and script supervisor crew member of the original Little House on the Prairie television show. Her stories are legendary!
Olan Paz ~ the creative artist behind many of the Little House paintings and portraits of beloved family and cast members.
I will also be in attendance sharing some of my historical fashions based on the Little House books.
Many more names to come!
We hope to see you there!
Laura
Wonderful description of your lovely Laura dress! Awesome information about the new Society of the Ingalls Family.
The dress is so delightfully feminine. I love it! As usual, your creativity is enjoyed by your many friends.