In Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder recalls a moment when she carried too many pebbles in her dress pocket—and the fabric ripped clean off! Fortunately, Ma easily repaired it. To avoid that problem, many pioneer children made simple calico drawstring pockets to hold their treasures: pretty pebbles, wildflowers, or even a lucky button.
Now, you can make your own Torn Calico Pocket just like Laura might have used on her adventures in the Big Woods!
Supplies You’ll Need:
Calico fabric (or any soft cotton fabric with a small floral or repeating print)
Ribbon, yarn, or twine (for a drawstring)
Needle and thread (choose matching or contrasting thread)
Pinking shears (for a “torn” edge look)
Optional: Fabric pencil or ruler for measuring and marking
Instructions: How to Make Your Pocket
1. Cut Your Fabric
Cut two rectangles of calico the same size. A good beginner size is about 6×8 inches, but you can make it larger or smaller depending on what you want to carry.
2. Create the Drawstring Tunnel
On the top edge of each piece, fold the fabric over twice—just enough to fit your ribbon through later. This creates a clean casing for the drawstring.
Sew a straight line close to the bottom folded edge of each casing.
You should now have a fabric “tunnel” along the top edge of both rectangles.
3. Sew the Pocket Together
Lay the two fabric pieces wrong sides together, with the drawstring tunnels at the top.
Stitch around the two sides and bottom of the fabric, leaving the top edge (with the tunnels) open.
Try to sew about ¼ inch from the edge to leave room for trimming.
4. Add Your “Torn” Edge
Use pinking shears to carefully cut along the three sewn edges (sides and bottom). This gives your pocket that ragged pioneer look, while also preventing fraying.
- Be careful not to cut through your stitches! If you’re unsure, ask an adult for help with this step.
5. Thread the Drawstring
Take your ribbon or yarn and thread it through both casings using a safety pin or blunt-end needle.
Pull through until the ends come out both sides.
Tie a knot at each end or bow it to close.
What Can You Put in Your Pocket?
Just like Laura, you can use your Torn Calico Pocket to hold:
Pebbles or interesting rocks from a nature walk
Shells from a trip to the lake
Dried wildflowers or pressed leaves
A secret letter or poem
A button, marble, or lucky charm
Educational Tie-In:
This craft is a great companion to Little House in the Big Woods and teaches:
Basic sewing skills
Pioneer-era creativity and problem solving
Historical context about how children made their own accessories
The importance of handmade, practical items in everyday 1800s life
It’s perfect for:
Hands-on homeschool projects
Little House–themed parties or units
Classroom crafts tied to American history
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