Clothing Help



Pioneer Clothing
Part of the Trek experience is to dress like the pioneers did.  All participants will need to acquire the proper pioneer clothing.  Keep it simple!  Clothing need not be a costly burden.  Borrowing clothing from family or friends is always an option.  Parents are ultimately responsible for helping their youth find/make clothes.  Making clothes fulfills PP and DTG requirements.  Leaders are encouraged to help where possible.  Below are some simple patterns & instructions for making clothing as well as websites where clothing may be purchased. 

Quick Downloads
  • BONNET:  pattern and instructions
  • SKIRT: instructions for sewing a skirt or click HERE for a great tutorial!
  • APRON: instructions on how to make a Pioneer Apron from a pillowcase.  HERE is a simple pattern for an apron from a yard of fabric. 
  • MEN'S SHIRT: instructions to alter a men’s Sunday shirt into a band-collar Pioneer Shirt in 15 minutes
Shoe Tips:  Wearing the wrong shoes on the Trek will rub you wrong and that means foot pain and blisters. Your toes need room to expand, because your feet will swell as you walk on the trek. Bring only comfy trekking shoes. Make sure you have a very sturdy shoe with a little thicker sole so you don’t feel every pebble. Avoid shoes with mesh around the front toe area so no water can get in & also less dirt.

Sock Tips:  Avoid cotton socks! For long hikes, it is better to have a pair of socks that wick moisture. Cotton socks absorb moisture and do not allow for evaporation of moisture. Once cotton socks are wet they lose their shape and elasticity. This increases friction and rubbing and irritates the skin, contributing to blister formation. Wicking socks help prevent blisters, ingrown toenails, heel bursitis, bruising and fungal infections.

WOMEN Trekkers

  • 2 mid-calf length, long-sleeved (below the elbow) dresses or skirts
  • 1 or 2 bonnets
  • 1 or 2 pairs bloomers, (cotton bottoms with elastic at the ankle. Any scrubs or cotton pj pants that can be cut off and elastic added at the bottom would work)
  • 1 apron
  • 1 pair modest, warm sleepwear
  • 1 sturdy pair of walking/hiking shoes
  • 3 pairs of moisture wicking socks




You will need 2 outfits for Trek.  Your clothes will get grubby,

so the simpler and cheaper, the better.  It will most likely be
hot, sweaty and dirty, so light-colored, breathable, cotton or linen fabrics will be more comfortable. Man-made fibers (polyester, rayon and fleece) are a fire hazard.

Your ward YW leaders may choose to do an activity and help you to sew part of your costume. We feel that sewing your own clothes will create a more authentic trek experience.  

You will need an apron.  Aprons may be easily constructed from a pillowcase (download instructions
from link at top of this page). You may have a spare pillowcase at home or you can get one from a thrift store for $1-$2. Look for one that only has one side seam, and a king pillowcase is best although any size will do. If it has a contrasting border or ruffle---even better, as that can be the bottom of the apron. Apron's may also be sewn out of any cotton fabric. 

Next, You will need an elastic waist skirt, or if you have some sewing experience and you are confidant doing a set-in sleeve---you can make your own dress (some pattern links can be found below). The dress will require 4 to 4.5 yds (if you are tall) of 45” wide fabric. The skirt will require 2.5 yds.


Last, but not least you will need a bonnet. That will take about ¾ of a yard (download bonnet pattern and sewing instructions from link at the top of this page).

Try to stick with a small print, stripe or solid---and go for 100% cotton or mostly cotton.   After you have sewn your first set of clothes, you can scavenge around for an extra set if you want it, or sew some more. Most girls will wear the same skirt, and have two long sleeve blouses (below the elbow) and maybe an extra apron. For your shirts, check out the thrift stores and read the labels to make sure they are 100% cotton.

Lastly---you will want 1 or 2 pairs of “bloomers”. These are for modesty when the wind catches your skirt, and to protect your legs from bug bites and possible chafing as you walk all those miles.


MEN Trekkers

  • 2 pairs long, loose fitting cotton pants,
  • Dockers, corduroy, or khaki (no jeans, camo or cargo pants)
  • 2 long-sleeved, loose fitting button-front shirts, Band collar style is preferred, or Sunday shirt with collar cut off to create a band collar (plain or pin-striped). Light colors recommended to reduce heat retention
  • 1 pair suspenders, rope or belt
  • modest sleepwear
  • wide-brimmed hat, straw hat, felt hat (no baseball caps or army hats)
  • 1 sturdy pair of walking/hiking shoes
  • 3 pairs moisture wicking socks





Option #1 - Sew your own.
There are sewing patterns available at many local fabric stores as well as at the links below. Possibilities are not confined to the patterns below, but this is a good place to start. 

McCall’s Pioneer Sewing Pattern:
Simplicity Pioneer Sewing Patterns:

Option #2: Find clothing at a thrift store
Option #3: Borrow clothing
Option #4: Purchase an outfit or part of one

The below links are places online where parts or all of a pioneer costume can be purchased: 

1 comment:

  1. UnknownMay 12, 2015 at 11:13 PM

    The men's shirt alterations were quick and easy to fallow. Brother Sisk loves the way they fit and look. Thank you for the instructions.

    ReplyDelete

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