How to Make a Pilgrim Costume

Co-authored by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 References

In November 1620, the Pilgrims arrived on the shores of Massachusetts. While their first year in the New World was marked with extreme hardships, the year ended with a bountiful harvest. To celebrate their good fortune, the Pilgrims partook in a feast with the local Native Americans. In 1863, this feast was recognized as the first Thanksgiving. Today, dressing up in a homemade pilgrim costume is an excellent way to celebrate American Thanksgiving.^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Making a Paper Pilgrim Bonnet

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1
Measure, mark, and cut two triangular slits in your paper. On a flat work surface, set out a piece of 12-by-18 inch white construction paper. You will also need a pencil, a ruler, and a pair of scissors. To create the two slits:
- Along one of the two 18 inch sides, measure and mark the following lengths in order: 6 ¼ inches, 1 inch, 3 ½ inches, 1 inch, and 6 ¼ inches.
- The two 1 inch sections will serve as the bases of the two triangular slits. To create the legs of the two triangles, measure and mark a 3 inch line from each end of the 1 inch base.
- Cut out the two 3-by-3-by-1 inch triangles.^{[2]
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2
Fold the hat. To form the hat, you will make four folds. The first fold will create the brim. The other three folds will create the back of the bonnet.
- Create a 2-by-18 inch fold along the paper’s uncut edge.
- Fold down the center flap (the section between the two triangular slits).
- Fold the outer two sections over the center section so that they overlap.
- Staple the outer two sections together or run a piece of scotch tape along the seam.^{[3]
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Cut out two 12-inch pieces of white ribbon. On each side of the bonnet, attach one ribbon under the brim with a piece of scotch tape. Place the bonnet on your head and tie the ribbons in a bow under your chin.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Making A Paper Pilgrim Hat

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1
Create a hat pattern or cut out your own. On a flat workspace, set out a piece of black poster board, a ruler, a pencil, and a pair of scissors. While you can create your own hat shape, you may also use the measurements listed below. To create the pattern, lightly draw the following lines on the poster board:
- Draw a 5 inch (12.7 cm) horizontal line near the top of the black poster board. This line will form the top of the hat.
- Draw two 10 inch (25.4 cm) angled lines from the ends of the 5 inch (12.7 cm) horizontal line. These two lines should be angled out towards the respective edges of the poster board.
- Connect the two angled lines with a horizontal line. This line will form the base of the hat and should be parallel to the 5 inch (12.7 cm) line.
- Draw one 1 inch (2.54 cm) vertical line up from each end of the base line, so that the 1 inch (2.54 cm) lines are perpendicular to the base line.
- Connect the top of each 1 inch (2.54 cm) line to the 10 inch (25.4 cm) lines with a horizontal line. This will create the illusion of a hat brim.
- Cut out the hat along the lines.
2
Measure, cut, and attach a paper headband. A headband will attach to the backside of the hat. To create the headband:
- Measure and mark three 1-by-10 inch (2.54-by-25.4 cm) strips of black poster board.
- Carefully cut out the strips.
- Staple two of the strips together at the ends.
- Wrap the two strips around your head. If the band does not wrap around your head, add the third strip.
- Place the hat upside down on the table so that the pencil marks are facing up. Lay the band across the base of your hat and center it. Staple the band to the center of the hat.^{[5]
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3
Create and attach a gold buckle. On a piece of gold cardstock, measure and mark a 3-by-3 inch (7.62-by 7.62 cm) square. Inside the first square, create a 2-by-2 inch (5.08-by-5.08 cm) square. There should be a 1 inch (2.54 cm) edge between the two squares. Cut out the larger square and then cut of the smaller square. Glue the square to the center of the hat.
- In addition to the gold buckle, you can add a brown band that sits just above the brim of the hat.^{[6]
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4
Fit the headband to your head. Once the glue is dry on the buckle, pick up the hat and carefully wrap the headband around your head. Ask a friend to mark where the two bands overlap. Take the headband off, match up the two marks, and staple the ends together.
- If there is a lot of excess paper, you can trim the ends of the band.^{[7]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Making a Paper Pilgrim Collar

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Lay your white 12-by-18 inch piece of white construction paper on a flat surface. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Fold the paper in half widthwise. With a pair of scissors, round the open corner of the folded paper (the corner not attached to any seams).^{[8]
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Unfold the paper once so that the paper only has one crease. Draw a 6 inch line centered along the folded edge of the paper. Connect the two ends of the line with an arc. Cut out the semicircle.^{[9]
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Unfold your paper the rest of the way. Cut a slit along the central fold that runs from one of the 12 inch sides to the neck hole. Stop once you reach the neck hole.^{[10]
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Cut two 12-inch pieces of yarn. With a piece of tape, attach one piece of yarn near the collar to the left of the slit. Attach the second piece of yarn near the collar to the right of the slit. Put on the collar so that the slit runs down the front of your chest. Tie the yarn in a bow.^{[11]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Dressing as a Pilgrim

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1
Create a traditional female pilgrim costume. You can assemble an iconic female pilgrim costume with clothing from your own closet. Put on a long black skirt, a black long sleeve top, and a pair of black dress shoes. Complete the look with your homemade bonnet and collar.
- You may add a white apron to the costume too.
You can pull together a costume that matches the iconic, albeit mythical, depiction of a male pilgrim with items from your own wardrobe. The basic costume consists of black dress pants, a black button up shirt, and a belt with a gold buckle. If you don’t have shoes with gold buckles, cut out two paper buckles and tape them onto a pair of black dress shoes. Complete the look with your homemade hat and collar.
Contrary to popular belief, pilgrims didn’t dress in all black or accessorize with gold buckles. While they wore black and gray clothing to church on Sundays, the puritanical pilgrims wore colorful clothing throughout the week. Instead of gold buckles, which were extremely expensive and not popular at the time, the pilgrims laced up their pants and shoes with leather ties. If you want to dress as an everyday pilgrim, wear simple, colorful clothing, shoes that tie, a collar, and a hat or bonnet.^{[12]
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Can I wear the pilgrim costume to a family Thanksgiving to celebrate the occasion?

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Definitely! I'm sure your family would love it if you wore this costume!

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