Prairie Bonnets- a Pictorial

Prairie bonnets were worn for protection from the Prairie sun and wind. The styles were so varied. I have surfed the web and found several different styles and fabrics.

Last Chance for Sweet Annie

SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON!Thanks for all the orders!

With in the next week the Sweet Annie will be gone- if you want some you need to order quickly.

5.00 per bundle- 3.00 shipping

Order by email prairieprim@comcast.net

Laura Ingalls Wilder- A True Pioneer Woman

Recently a very good friend of mine sent me several books wrtitten by Laura Ingalls Wilder ( thank you Holly!)

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them( and I am reading then over again!)

Many of you know Laura as played by Melissa Gilbert in the Little house on the Prairie tv series-( I still watch it by the way!). But the Ingalls family were a real pioneer family that endured many hardships during their life on the prairie- if you get a chance you really should read the books. I thought you might enjoy learning a little bit more about the real Ingalls family. The photos and information were taken from some of the many websites there are about Laura.

Laura was born in Pepin, WI Febraury 7, 1867 and died in Mansfield, MO on February 10, 1957 at the age of 90. Her family moved to Independence, KS which was Indian Territory - after a few years they moved again to Walnut Grove, MN, a few years later to Burr Oak, Ia- back to Walnut Grove, MN and finally to Desmet, South Dakota in 1879. There the family finally stayed.
Laura married Almonzo Wilder in 1885. In 1894 they moved to Mansfield , Mo. They once again experienced many hardships but finally were able to replace the windowless cabin they had moved into with a 10 room farm house. Almonzo died in 1949 at the age of 92.
Their daughter Rose Wilder Lane was also a famous author actually helping her mother start her writing career.

The family photo shows Caroline Ingalls seated on the left, Charles, and Mary.

Standing Carrie Ingalls, Laura, Grace Ingalls

Photo 2- Laura in her later years at age 70

Photo 1- Laura as a young woman

Early Clothing- the Signfigance of Color

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In general, clothing was made of wools and linens. Colors were of wide range but took on significance. Black however was a color of responsibility. Children and servants often wore blue. Russet was worn by the countrymen. Other clothing was made from animal skins such as deer, moose, or elk.

Pilgrim men wore felt hats, ruffle collars, large cuffs, many buttons, balloon breeches, garter belts and stockings. Their shoes had buckles and heels.

1600 Women wore heavily embroidered material. Dresses were long with ruffles or large lace collars.

Men took on the pirate look with balloon pants, tights, tie shoes, plume hats. Clothing was stitched by hand. Long coat type jackets were worn with knee highs, pants to just below the knee where there was tie.

Colonial Crafts Exhibit, Waterford, VA Loudoun (Waterford ...