I was looking through my large stash of sewing patterns the other day and came across this one.
Oh, the memories that pattern brought back! It was the early 1980s and prairie skirts were very popular, for kids as well as for women. I'd sewn this outfit as school clothes for our oldest daughter, Sarah.
That pattern brought back memories from my own childhood in the 1960s. My sister and I were both horse crazy and so our mother sewed us matching cowgirl outfits. I can't find any photos of the two of us in them, but I remember that they were red and black with stars on them and made from felt.
After doing on online search, I found this vintage 1960s pattern and I think it must be the one she used.
It's close to what I remember, especially the stars on the yoke of the blouse and the vest.
Leslie and I use to "canter" around the yard in those cowgirl outfits, saving people from villains and going for rides around the ranch. When we began riding real horses, though, the cowgirl outfits were left behind.
Me, age 11, on Gambler's Maid. She was owned by the stable where I had my first riding lessons and I always requested her when my mother took me out to ride.
We learned that our cowgirl outfits, while fun, were more a Hollywood-stylized version of what men and women wore to ride in.
My Quarter Horse gelding, Cee Hunt, and me in May, 1975.
And so, Leslie and I exchanged our cowgirl skirts for more practical jeans and boots. I have a fair amount of western wear and jewelry. Still, there's a part of me that would love to whip up a cowgirl skirt and vest for adult-me, just for fun!
