COSTUMES
These directions are for those who wish special costumes. These are picturesque and pretty, but not essential. If you do not wish to go to the trouble of making costumes, many of the children may wear their own school suits, being distinguished by what they carry—Bo Peep by her crook, Boy Blue by his horn, etc. Of course, those impersonating the old women must have long dresses.
Old Mother Goose wears a quilted yellow skirt, about to her ankles, a red, pointed waist, and pannier overskirt, also of red. The waist has a chemisette of white. Her shoes are high-heeled, low cut black shoes, with large silver buckles and red heels. Her stockings are red. Her hair is powdered, and combed in any old-fashioned way. Her hat is a tall, pointed one, of black, with a red band. She may have her knitting.
The Old Woman, who lived in a shoe, wears a rusty black dress, made with a straight, full skirt and a basque. She has a white apron and kerchief, old-fashioned square bowed glasses (the frames only, of course), and a white cap, the strings hanging down on either side. Her powdered hair hangs in little curls on each side of her face. She carries a large shoe, cut from pasteboard, and covered with black, which is full to overflowing with dolls. She also has a bunch of switches.
Old Mother Hubbard wears a red skirt, an old-fashioned “polonaise” of some flowered material (large figures), a bib apron, a white kerchief, and either an old-fashioned bonnet, or a ruffled cap. In either case, the strings are tied primly beneath her chin. She might carry a bone. She has black mitts.
The Bachelor’s Wife wears a hoop skirt, and a white dress, the skirt of which is covered with ruffles. The waist may be made in any way that goes well with the skirt. She has a white shawl, white mitts, and a white bonnet trimmed with pink ribbon and rosebuds. This must be bent and soiled by her fall. Her dress must have a mud-stain or two, and be rather rumpled. She carries a satchel or carpet bag.
Contrary Mary wears a dress of some large-flowered goods. The waist is very short and full, the skirt is straight, and very full, after the Greenaway style, and ends about half-way between her knees and ankles. It has a low round neck, and short puffed sleeves. She wears a long string of shells and beads, of different styles and colors, strung anyhow. She has a ruffled white apron, which she wears behind, tied in a large bow in front. On one foot is a white shoe and black stocking, on the other a black shoe and white stocking. On one hand is a long black mitt, on the other, a tan glove. She has a cap on, with the visor behind. One side of her hair is in curls, the other in a braid. She may carry a watering pot.
The Milk Maid wears a dress of pink print or gingham, with the neck cut in a narrow, deep square outline, and edged with a narrow white frill. She has a white bib apron. Her sleeves are rolled above her elbows, and her dress and apron are folded smoothly up and pinned to display a green striped petticoat. She wears white stockings, low black shoes, a coquettish little white sunbonnet, and carries a three-legged milking-stool and a dented pail.