Last spring Sadie asked for a Kirsten dress. She got Kirsten when she turned 4 and she's always been her favorite. I had just made some dresses that were for Little House play and living history visits and was a little burnt out on bonnets and aprons but we at least bought the fabric. She had such a good time going to Fabric Depot with me and choosing the closest match to all the fabrics. Then I pre-washed it all and put it away for about 9 months. Oops. We were on to other things and other projects.
We have put on quite a few plays from the American Girl books and I recently bought a used Kirsten's Theater Kit. Kirsten has been retired for a few years now, so finding her items can be a bit tricky, but her Theater Kit is pretty easy to find. The theater kits for all the dolls are plays adapted from the books and this one is no exception. It's not the story I would have chosen, but the girls loved it, so there you go.
We have read and re-read all the historical characters' books, have most of the dolls, and get pretty into the whole historical American Girl thing for learning history along with learning about a whole lot of other things. It was time to put on the Kirsten play last week, so the dress, apron, and bonnet were sewn! I sort of used a pattern here. For the bonnet and the sleeves of the dress I used Simplicity 2843. For the dress shape and apron I used a basic pattern I drafted a few years ago that I use for almost all their costumes.
The other sisters/actors were outfitted with the aforementioned Little House style dresses. It was a blast. Popcorn was served and the neighbors were invited and participated with aplomb in a gripping death scene from cholera!
This is really the best. Making costumes and putting on plays. During the play the 4-year old kept yelling the whole time (in her stage whisper) and the cats were after the props. I really couldn't ask for more.