Halloween 2009: Snow Princess

Yes, I am alive. Bonnie decided on extravagant costume for Halloween. We also had a house guest who stayed in the sewing room - which ground all production to a halt for a week. There was sewing going on in October - just no finished products to blog about.

I used McCalls 5731 to make a snow princess costume for Bonnie. I picked fabrics from JoAnns that looked remarkably like view A on the pattern.

The fashion fabric is an acetate brocade with snowflakes!

The skirt front panel was made from an organza with foil snowflakes underlined with white poly lining.

The sleeves and front bodice panel were made from a silver mesh novelty fabric underlined with the white poly. Marabou trim was added to hems of sleeves.

Good shot of sleeves.

Here is a snapshot of the trims. The neckline was trimmed in iridescent lace. Here is a a closeup of the marabou with tinsel(!) The front panels were trimmed with silver braid.

Closeup of silver trim.

Closeup of the front panel. On Friday before Halloween, the kids have a costume parade at school. I tried on the dress that morning before the final finishes. The top of the bodice came directly below her nipples!! I quickly made a 2 inch inset that I covered in lace and added to the top of the bodice. Thankfully it worked and Bonnie was modestly (and stylishly) covered. Hey McCalls - this is a pattern for little girls!

Here is a shot of the back bodice. I did my quick and dirty velcro opening for Halloween costumes.

Not too many changes from the pattern. I lined the entire dress because the brocade was a little scratchy.

Here are the kids before trick or treating. Gus was a dead (of course) poker dealer. Carl was a soccer player (not much of a costume).

Closeup of Gus' ghoulishness.

Shot of Carl on crazy hair day at school held Wednesday before Halloween.

Cowl #2

My sewing productivity has taken a dive. For the month of September I only finished 2 of the Burda cowls. The pattern is extremely simple. The black version shown here and a new and exciting maroon version.

Burda Plus Autumn/Winter 2009/10 - 403


In this version, I took in the sides about 2 inches and tapered the sleeves at the wrist. I also cut off about 2 inches from the front hem. I think it fits better now.





I was at the mall last night and saw that my new cowl actually appears to be perfectly on trend.... I saw lots of drapey knits, cowls and the color maroon. Of course my big poofy 80s mall hair probably kills the look. Ah well...

The top got several compliments at work. I did admit I made it (sometimes I do and sometimes I don't). Everyone is always shocked I make some of my own clothes. They look at me like I am some kind of pioneer lady.

The fabric is a rayon knit from JoAnns.

I have been trying to make a jacket, but have yet to perfect a muslin that I like well enough to cut into fashion fabric. I think I'm heading toward making a pattern from a purchased jacket that already fits again.

Well it's October. Costume time. Bonnie wants to be a snow queen and Carl wants to be a gangster and Gus wants to be a math scientist again. I better get crackin'.