We are blessed, here in Michigan, to have quite a few "living history" parks. We have Greenfield Village, which is famous and Mackinac Island to name two. About 20 miles from where I live there is another, smaller and lesser well known park called Crossroads Village. They have homes, stores and a school that date to about 100 years (or more) ago. The school pictured above, Stanley School, was originally built in 1883 and moved to the park in 1975. All the buildings on the park were originally built here in Michigan. Why the sudden history/geography lesson you ask? Well, let me tell you! In my school district, every year, all the 3rd graders get to go to Stanley School for a day of lessons. They try to make it as authentic as possible for the children. They are to dress the part, bring their lunches the way children used to...even drink from tin "cups." (we used a mushroom can, sanded and washed for this) Baby Girl is in 3rd grade this year! I was over the moon! After going through 3 boys who could care less and just wore short pants and a shirt, I finally got to have some fun!
Of course, I had to bite off almost more than I could chew, I wouldn't be me if I didn't! I started searching for just the right pattern...found it! Thanks to the resurgence of popularity among the civil war reproduction materials, I was able to take Baby Girl shopping to pick out her very own authentic reproduction material for the dress! She made a perfect choice! A lovely blue flowered shirting dating from 1875. Unbleached muslin for the pinafore and we were ready to go!
I'm not much of a seamstress...I'm a sewer, but seamstresses are in a league of their own. It took me longer than most, I'm sure, but I ended up with something I am quite proud of. I only cheated in one small area, instead of actually doing button holes, which I have never done and am intimidated by, I used velcro for the fastenings with buttons sewn over top.
So, without further ado...
The front with a basket for her lunch. The basket has a bow to match her dress wrapped around the handle. I also wrapped the bottom of her braids with the same dress material.
Back view of the pinafore. 
A very happy Baby Girl!Needless to say, Baby Girl will be going as Laura Ingalls for Halloween this year! On a side note, I thought it was pretty interesting that the material dates from 1875, when Laura Ingalls was 8 and Baby Girl is also 8!
