There are many ways to learn about history. You can read straightforward text which emphasizes names and dates. You can travel the globe and learn history through geography. Living history and historical fiction can immerse you in the time period with an interesting story. You can travel through time from your kitchen. One of the ways we have not explored as much is through dressing up. Not just cobbling together something, but taking care to get details and the look “just right”. Amy Puetz, homeschool graduate and author, has something perfect to help us do just that: Costumes with Character.
My children love to dress up and re-enact something we have recently learned. I love how their active play shows just how much they have learned (usually more than I would have thought). We have some old hand-me down dresses and many scarves, aprons and other fabric remnants that become… well whatever is needed. After reading a bit in Costumes with Character, I saw how easy it would be to make some pieces to make these “found” pieces into something so much more (and more accurate).
All the pattern pieces are there (in scale) to make the collars, cuffs, head coverings, etc. to transform a basic, simple dress into an historical costume. The directions are clear and easy to understand with plenty of illustrations for any possibly-confusing steps. With the information on scaling the patterns for different size/age girls (even mom) these could be used by anyone for years. I need to make a trip to the “big city” to get the interfacing needed for many of the items. Everything else we have already had on hand (old sheets are perfect!) or could easily find at our local small stores. With some quick sewing you can have an assortment of accessories to dress the part for many time periods (eleven to be exact). As we add to our collection, I hope my girls will be interested in helping with some of the sewing, too.
The book covers pilgrims and puritans through the turn of the century (early 1900s) and many things in between. Costumes with Character does not simply provide patterns and instructions for making these items, but talks about the dress of the time period, how it is influenced by the happenings of the time, etc. It was especially interesting for me to read about the time leading up to the revolution and buying goods from anywhere but England. As someone who puts forth effort to purchase American made goods, this makes me smile. Amy has even included quizzes and lists for additional reading for each time period discussed. What a great supplement to American history studies!
Costumes with Character is available through Golden Prairie Press for $21.95 as an e-book; $37.00 for a printed book. The patterns (enlarged, not scaled down) are also available separately in pdf (free with Costumes with Character e-book purchase) or printed ($15.00) format.
My son loves to join in the dress-up and playing from history. I would love to see either a book for boys similar to this or additions to this with boy things included. I am especially stumped on the basic outfit/pieces to add the accessories to. So far, my boy hasn’t minded putting together whatever he finds. He is paying attention to more details and will want something more specific as his sisters have.
There are other things from Golden Prairie Press that are just for boys. Uncover Exciting History and Ten Great Adventurers are some things I know my boy would love. Amy has many other books, be sure to check out her whole site. I have my eyes on the recipe booklets (you’re not surprised, are you?)
There is a little time left to take advantage of the Back to School sale – save 20%. Whether you have daughters or sons, there is something for everyone from Amy Puetz and Golden Prairie Press.
To read reviews of this and other great products from Golden Prairie Press (like Uncover Exciting History and 10 Girls from History), start at the Crew blog post.