A Little House on the Prairie Inspired Dress

Every October I create a special costume. This year is no exception. I am so happy to share A Little House on the Prairie Inspired Dress.

The Inspiration

In the new Little House on the Prairie, episode 4 (Life Let Us Cherish) Laura, portrayed by the talented Alice Halsey, goes in search of help for her family. They are suffering from fever and ague (malaria). On her way she spies someone in a field. It her grandmother, Laura Colby Ingalls, portrayed by the brilliant Megan Follows.

I actually squealed out loud when Megan Follows turned around in the scene. It was my Anne! My dearest Anne Shirley of the 1980s mini series Anne of Green Gables.

If you have never seen this adaptation of Anne, it is the very best in my opinion. You can find it for sale or for rent on Gazebo TV. I actually rewatch it every fall as the scenery and the fashions are quite spectacular.

It is perhaps a good time to mention that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s grandmother, Laura Colby Ingalls, is also my great great great grandmother. She is the original Laura for whom we are both named after.

I immediately decided that wanted to try and recreate the green dress.

Patterns and Fabric

I used Simplicity 7212, view B, for the dress and view A for the sleeves. The curved seams and spacing on the back bodice of the dress was close to the on screen version.

Pattern adjustments: I cut down the coat sleeve to a more narrow fit to resemble the on screen sleeve style. I also did two mock ups of the bodice. I am still not quite pleased and will probably go back and alter the bodice to fit a bit better. I’ve been struggling with my Lupus and my weight has been fluctuating quite a bit.

I would classify this pattern as intermediate to advanced. The dog leg closure of the bodice is challenging, as is the cartridge pleating.

The pattern is no longer in print but you can find it on Etsy and eBay for around $20.

The fabric for the dress is Cloverdale House Fabric, pattern 7967, designed by Di Ford for Andover fabrics in 2020.

You can find the fabric for about $12 to $13 a yard. The dress requires about 8 yards.

Cloverdale House Fabric, pattern 7967, designed by Di Ford for Andover fabrics in 2020.

I purchased the fabric from Ensembles of the Past which provided many of the fabrics and ribbons for the costumes created for the new Little House on the Prairie on Netflix.

The Ingalls family in “Little House on the Prairie."

For the apron I used Ma’s apron pattern from the Little House on the Prairie® Learn To Sew series.

Pattern adjustments: the apron worn by Grandma Ingalls is very narrow. So I simply just used 1/2 of the apron width. The length and ties were kept the same. Instead of gathering the fabric at the top of the apron skirt I made two pleats on each side of the waist.

The fabric used was a simple cream colored, mid-weight, cotton muslin.

Little House on the Prairie Inspired Dress

I recently wore the dress at Wilder Days which was held at Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Rocky Ridge Farm.

The autumn leaves were just starting to turn and made the gold details in the print pop.

This image showcases the beautiful cartridge pleating used at the waist.

My straw hat (found at an estate sale) is similar in shape but is missing the beautiful openwork detailing at the base of the crown. I added some ribbon work as the inspiration hat has purple ribbon that shows through.

If you have never visited Rocky Ridge Farm it is truly a magical place.

This image showcases the narrow cut and pleating used on the apron.

The skirt drapes beautifully.

I did wear period appropriate undergarments under this ensemble to include a corset and corded petticoat.

The dress took about 25 hours to make as there was quite a bit of hand sewing required.

This was one of the more expensive clothing reproduction items that I have made. The cost for just the material, pattern, buttons, ribbon and hat were around $200.

(The price for labor was not included. To have a dressmaker make a similar dress might add an additional $300-$600 depending on the seamstress.)

I think it is worth every penny. This dress has brought so much JOY to my heart!

It was such fun to wear this dress to a picnic on Laura’s lawn shared with dear friends Sara Gonzalez and Ron and Justine Rayfield. If you love colonial era cooking, decor and fashion please visit the Rayfield’s YouTube channels Early American and Frontier Patriot.