Stove Top Hat (late 19th century)

Materials:

Black Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Protractor or Circle pattern

1) Take 2 rectangular pieces of construction paper and glue the short edges together;
2) Let the glue dry completely;
3) Glue the 2 remaining short edges together so that the “hat” fits on your head;
4) Let the glue dry completely;
5) Make the brim by cutting out a circle on another piece of construction paper. This circle must be several inches larger than the end of the “hat”. The best way to do this is to use a protractor, but any circle pattern will do.
6) Cut another circle on the inside of the first circle. This one needs to be a little bit smaller than the end of the “hat”.
7) Glue the “hat” onto the center of the brim. You may want to make small cuts along the inside of the inner circle to produce small flaps. These flaps can be glued onto the “hat” to make it hold better.

Colonial era boy or man

Wear breeches cut below the knee, long white socks, baggy shirt, vest and shoes. Men and older boys can tie a kerchief around their necks to complete the look. Below is a suggestion on turning modern pants and shirts into colonial garb.

Pants or breeches

Materials:

Old pants (brown, black, blue)
Six or nine buttons preferably with two holes or bottom hooks or small felt circles to give
the appearance of buttons. (brown, black, white, cream)
Scissors
Needle & Thread or fabric glue or fusible material or sewing machine

1) Cut both pant legs below the knee:
2) The pant legs can be cuffed or sewn with a seam. (Fabric glue or fusible material is fine);
3) Sew, glue or fuse each pant leg so the bottom few inches are slightly more snug than the part above it;
4) Sew two or three buttons on the outside of each pant leg at the knee and at the waist.

Shirt

Materials

Baggy button-down shirt (white, cream or subdued solid color)
Scissors
Needle & Thread or fabric glue or fusible material or sewing machine
Button covers or small felt circles

1) Remove pocket;
2) Cut bottom so it goes straight across, not rounded;
3) Cut collar so it is 1” to 2” in width;
4) Cut cuffs so they are 1” to 2” in width;
5) Sew, glue or fuse all raw edges;
6) attach button covers to buttons at cuffs and neck or glue felt circles onto buttons.

Colonial girl or woman

Wear a long full skirt and a blouse. Add an apron and mop cap to complete the look.

Materials

Apron

Rectangular piece of cloth approx. 40” x 30”. Solid and subdued colors are best.
1.5 to 2 yards of ½ “ to 1” ribbon or fabric tape (make sure it fits around waist and ties
Needle & Thread or fabric glue or fusible material or sewing machine

1) Place the fabric with a short side at the top;
2) Make a seam at the top that is wide enough to hold the width of the ribbon or tape;
3) sew glue or fuse the seam leaving a tunnel for the ribbon or tape;
4) Work the ribbon or tape through this tunnel. You may want to attach the ribbon to a safety pin to work it through
5) gather up the apron in the front to it fits across the waist and leaves two even ribbons or tape for tying in the back;
6) You may want to sew, glue or fuse the ribbon onto the fabric, but it is not necessary.

Mop Cap

Circular piece of cloth approx 1’ in diameter
Thin elastic cord/ribbon that fits around your head Plus ½ ”
Lace ribbon that measures the circumference of the fabric circle
White thread and needle or sewing machine (necessary)
Additional thread Fabric glue or fusible material

1) Sew the ends of the elastic together so the elastic fits your head comfortably;
1) Thread your needle leaving the end unknotted;
2) Using a loose running stitch, sew in a in a circle approximately 2” from edge of the circular fabric;
3) Remove needle leaving thread in place;
4) Pull on the ends of the thread to gather up fabric to the same circumference as the elastic. Spread gathering evenly;
5) Sew elastic to gathered fabric;
6) Clip loose ends of thread;
7) You can sew, fuse or glue a seam on the outer edge of the cap;
8) Sew, glue or fuse lace ribbon onto the outer edge of the cap.