Halloween 2015: Crystal Part 2

My second costume of the year is for my girl!  She's always so fun to sew for, so I couldn't wait to hear her idea.  Then she said the last princess I wanted to make: Snow White.  Now, I love Snow White...I'm just bored by her dress.  It's fine. It really is.  I just like a lot more fluff than that.  I couldn't convince her of anything else, so I decided to re-work it.  When I was finished I asked her "Do you love your princess dress?" to which she replied "Uh, No."  I could have died, but then she said "I'm a QUEEN!"  And she wouldn't take it off...so I live to sew another day. Well, here she is, my Queen Snow White.

 

Like most things I make, no one pattern really did it for me. I like to combine elements to make something my own...which takes a lot of time and I end up hating myself.  Luckily, I've been missing my machine, so even though the changes meant added time, I enjoyed myself.  No one likes a grumpy Crystal, so everyone wins this time.

 

 

The majority of the costume came from McCalls 7212-  The underdress and overdress were both made from this.  But I made the underdress sleeveless and put the sleeves on the overdress because I thought it had a better flow and would be easier to wear.  I added the faux paned sleeve to make it look like Snow White since that was who I was supposed to be making...Uh DUH. 

 

 

The lower sleeve I made using Simplicity 4944.  I purchased a whole pattern for the sleeves.  Thank goodness Halloween is my husband's favorite holiday, too; it validates my spending on this.  I used a pretty, soft stretch lace because I wanted a really nice drape. It looks great and is super comfy for my sensory sensitive girl.

 

 

 

For the collar, I used Simplicity 2817.  Yep!  I bought a pattern for the collar.  Now the original pattern had a collar, but I didn't like it :::SIGH::: I'm like a toddler at mealtime sometimes.  I LOVED the fact that the collar was removable!  So what did I do?  I attached it anyway, because I ended up liking that better.  I HAVE ISSUES.

 

 

The accessories are just as important as the costume here...wait, no they're not, BAHA!  I'm so funny.  But they really did finish off the costume.  I purchased the apple brooch on etsy and the black snood and flower tiara at the local renaissance fair.

 

 

Overall my daughter got the Disney character she was looking for and I got to have fun designing and creating.  WINNING!

 

 

 

 

 

Now all princesses Queens have to have a little fun, so here are the sillies and giggles.

 

 

 

Happy Halloween you guys!  I have been loving all of the costumes I've been seeing and reading about on people's blogs.  This is seriously my favorite time of year.  Just remember look out for poisoned apples (even the photoshopped ones because you forgot to bring the one you bought with you).

 

 

 

-Crystal-

 

 

 

Halloween 2015: Crystal Part 1

I haven't blogged since June because there's a LOT going on in my home, but there's nothing like Halloween to get me out of the cave I live in. This year's costumes were just sooooo much fun to make.  Both kids had actual opinions about what they wanted to be.  Usually, my son ends up being his sister's costume sidekick (Anna, The White Rabbit, Twink from Rainbow Brite) but this year he wanted his own thing.  I gave him the freedom to pick whatever he wanted and I happily accepted the challenge he gave me: A dragon!  Actually, he requested "A dragon RAWR that's green". 

 

I started with the bodysuit.  I used Jalie pattern 3135.  It was a surprisingly easy sew!  I measured my guy's torso before I started though, because he's cursed with his mommy's long torso.  At 3 years old, I had to add 3" and really could have added another.  CRAZY LONG CHILD! There's a crotch gusset thing (back with my technical terms you all love) was great for movement, but was VERY uncomfortable for him.  I had to sew the seams down to add comfort.  After I did that, he loved it. 

 

His Mask was made using this Dragon mask pattern from Oxeye Daisey patterns.  Her patterns are SO COOL and she is incredibly sweet. Buy all of her patterns.  Seriously.  Go do it.  Anyway, I covered my felt with the scales fabric in order to keep it cohesive, so that added way more time to the project. But it was so incredibly worth it. I also used glitter foam and glitter sheets instead of felt...so more layers...so more time...and more blisters. 

 

 

The Tail, gloves, wings, and breast plate were my own creations.  I won't be doing a tutorial because I will never make them again.  Nopety nope nope nope.  They weren't hard, but they took forever and I got blisters on my fingers from all of the hand-stitching.  My hands aren't dainty anymore!  What the crap?!?!  I need my dainty hands!  They're the only dainty thing I have....er...had.

 

 

Also...yes, my son is covered in glitter.  But it's manly glitter.  And if you're my child, there will be glitter. 

 

Have a spooky Halloween and make sure to check in soon for my girl's costume!

 

-Crystal-