I'm a glutton for punishment....

[countess_rosina]

My niece M is in the first grade this year, and has been assigned her first history project. She's supposed to dress! up! as! a! famous! American! and...I clearly went into a daze after hearing the first part of her project, because I have no idea what else she's supposed to do. Anywho, after submitting a list of 4 people she'd like to research,

Comments

[madamekat]

Ah, the myth of Betsy Ross and the American Flag! We had to learn about this for my course on museums last semester. Turns out it's unlikely that the story is true, yet the myth remains an important party of the American story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cristen-conger/the-jig-is-up-betsy-ross_b_633779.html

As my professor said, it doesn't mean Betsy Ross isn't important. She was a woman entrepreneur in a time when such a thing was rare, raising a family at the same time. Still a lady to admire!

[countess_rosina]

I have to say, I was surprised she made the list given that the flag myth has been debunked. Now I'm just trying to settle down the voice in my head that is telling me to go completely overboard with this costume.

[anonymous]

Sounds like a fun project!

One trick I learned in sewing for my boys is to use existing clothing as a "mock up." Because little kids are such wigglers it can be hard to mock anything up ON them. But if you can find woven (not stretch) clothing that fits in the same way you want the costume to fit you can sort of use that as a template for the size you need to make the costume. I've traced regular pants and button down shirts to draft breeches and 18th C shirts for example.

[countess_rosina]

That is a great idea! Skirts shouldn't be a problem, but I was trying to figure out how to do a bodice without having to fit her. Now if I can find a non-knit shirt in her closet....