One of the wonderful opportunities Chrissee has this summer is to join others of our faith in a four day Handcart Trek. This pioneer reenactment is done following the same trails the "Mormon" Pioneers blazed across Wyoming. For four days, youth and their leaders will walk about 15 miles (approx) per day, wearing similar clothes, eating similar food, and leaving all of the benefits of technology behind.
The idea behind the reenactment is to gain a greater appreciation for the history that precedes us and to understand the many priviledges that we have in our day and often take for granted. Each person has chosen (or been assigned) a pioneer who actually walked the trails to learn their story and grow in understanding of their experiences. Chrissee will be walking in the footsteps of Sara Josephine Dinah Catherine Clausen Jensen, a woman born in Denmark who converted to the LDS faith with her husband, Hans, and their children. She crossed the plains as a mother of six young children. Of course, Chrissee won't have any little ones to care for (there is an age minimum of fourteen), but knowing that a hundred and sixty years before you someone sacrificed home and comfort because they believed strongly in the value of living according to one's own conscious is bound to leave its mark.
The past couple of months have been spent in preparation for these four days. Chrissee has learned how to square dance, researched Sara and her journey, and sewing. Rebecca has done a tremendous amount of sewing. It all began with a trip to Saver's to purchase some old sheets. Rebecca watched some pioneer movies to come up with the designs and then attempted to bring them to fruition. Of course there were technical difficulties -- the broken tailbone being the most difficult to overcome -- but help came from unexpected directions. Chrissee will only have her journal to record her footsteps and feelings next week when she leaves, so Rebecca captured a few images for posterity's sake.
Chrissee helped with the gathering on the sleeves of this blouse. Chelsea Good sewed her bonnets.
Turns out there was a reason for all of the underclothing and such... This design may have been reserved for dresses. (Chrissee's going to add a tank top so she won't become a belly dancing pioneer.)
A pair of pantaloons to keep the ticks at bay. Chrissee says these make the skirts more comfortable because it feels like she's wearing shorts.
Rebecca just loves this smiling face...
Oh, pioneer...
The idea behind the reenactment is to gain a greater appreciation for the history that precedes us and to understand the many priviledges that we have in our day and often take for granted. Each person has chosen (or been assigned) a pioneer who actually walked the trails to learn their story and grow in understanding of their experiences. Chrissee will be walking in the footsteps of Sara Josephine Dinah Catherine Clausen Jensen, a woman born in Denmark who converted to the LDS faith with her husband, Hans, and their children. She crossed the plains as a mother of six young children. Of course, Chrissee won't have any little ones to care for (there is an age minimum of fourteen), but knowing that a hundred and sixty years before you someone sacrificed home and comfort because they believed strongly in the value of living according to one's own conscious is bound to leave its mark.
The past couple of months have been spent in preparation for these four days. Chrissee has learned how to square dance, researched Sara and her journey, and sewing. Rebecca has done a tremendous amount of sewing. It all began with a trip to Saver's to purchase some old sheets. Rebecca watched some pioneer movies to come up with the designs and then attempted to bring them to fruition. Of course there were technical difficulties -- the broken tailbone being the most difficult to overcome -- but help came from unexpected directions. Chrissee will only have her journal to record her footsteps and feelings next week when she leaves, so Rebecca captured a few images for posterity's sake.
Chrissee helped with the gathering on the sleeves of this blouse. Chelsea Good sewed her bonnets.
Turns out there was a reason for all of the underclothing and such... This design may have been reserved for dresses. (Chrissee's going to add a tank top so she won't become a belly dancing pioneer.)
A pair of pantaloons to keep the ticks at bay. Chrissee says these make the skirts more comfortable because it feels like she's wearing shorts.
Rebecca just loves this smiling face...
Oh, pioneer...
She is a great girl and I hope she has TONS of fun and has a FANTASTIC experience! You did a great job sewing all of her costume stuff!!! Nice work! If anyone could pull off a Belly Dancing Pioneer it would be Chrissee!
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