Victorian school girl - help!

[pigsinmud]

Got to dress my 2 girls in Victorian costume this week. Marvellous. I have nothing. Apparently charity shops already raided. I do not own a single skirt so I can't adapt anything. Their clothes do not have a hint of Victorian about them.

I hate these costume days. We got 5 days notice. I know some people have bought costumes, but I don't really want to spend £20 on something that will never be worn again. I'm feeling a bit humbugish about it and might pretend to have forgotten.

[mrsWast]

i turned a pillowcase into a pinafore, over one of my white shirts, with an old skirt underneath (maybe improvise just with some old material or maybe another pillowcase?).

DD has worn more pillowcases to school costume days than i care to remember.

[pigsinmud]

Ooh my sewing skills are basic. Sounds tricky. I'll have a stare at a pillowcase and see..

[mrsWast]

i seem to recall cutting a then hole, then armholes, and trimming it so it was 2 straps and a pinafore shape. not a hint of sewing - i just sort of tied it at the back and somehow it worked.

[mrsWast]

*head hole, not a then hole!!

[pigsinmud]

Thanks. If no sewing is involved it might be ok.

[capsium]

Could they be paupers, in rags? And something as a shawl?

[pigsinmud]

Could do rags!! I have an old waistcoat and cap from when ds1 had to do this. I might have to bribe one of them to go as a boy. Both refusing at the moment!

[Rummikub]

I hate these too. I aim to make all costumes out of pillow cases! Worked well so far. Second the white pillow case as pinafore, no sewing needed. I have Viking to look forward too

[pigsinmud]

Rummikub I am grateful now that it's Victorian. Viking? Good Luck!

[Rummikub]

I dream of the days of Victorian! I am currently being an ostrich about it even though my dd keeps reminding me.

[shouldnthavesaid]

I had to do this when my primary turned 100.. I wore one of my mum's long skirts, a white blouse, white baby bonnet (some of the girls had bonny crocheted hats and shawls) and I think a white pinny..

Rags might be good - would be quite unique I imagine

[TheHappyCamper]

We had Victorian day at DD's school recently.

I bought her a maids dress with attached pinafore off ebay. £9.50 delivered. I now plan to sell it again on ebay and get at least half my money back. So I reckon it will only have cost about £4 - £4.50. I decided it would cost more than that to buy the material plus my time to make something!

Worth a thought?

[pigsinmud]

Thanks happycamper. I have indeed decided to do that. I looked at eBay and realised they were selling, so have spent £17 on 2 costumes being delivered Tuesday. I will sell on when they have left primary school....Just in case we have another Victorian day!! I don't have any white pillow cases so that idea had gone out of the window.

[UniS]

black shoes ( or boots if they have walking boots of any colour) , black tights. longest skit you can find (pin them into). blouse of any colour ( or long sleeve T shirt) pinny over the top, made from pillow case or similar.If they have long hair, plait it and add a ribbon bow.

I've looked at a book I have with pictures from our local school from 1890ish. Girls tend to wear dark colour blouses . and many have short hair or long hair tied back with a fringe. The alternative to the pinny for girls seems to have been a dark, long sleeve dress with white collar. but I think pinny is easier for fancy dress these days. Little girls seem to have have worn socks, dark, rather than stockings as many infants have bare knees.

[Clawdy]

Don't forget to take a photo of them looking solemn like a real Victorian picture! Then you can find a lovely old frame to put it in. DD didn't think much of the one I made of her,but now she's grown up,it's the one picture she really loves.

[pigsinmud]

Thank you. It's the 150th anniversary of the school so we're looking at 1863. School recommended pinny, bonnet & boots. Unless they'll accept purple snow boots they're out! I was looking at dd1 this morning and her school pinafore looks quite Victorian actually.

Good idea Clawdy.

[intitgrand]

WE've just had this and lots of children wore a school pinafore with a shawl and broach.
Put ringlets in her hair before she goes to bed