About the time I was working on Sammie’s Halloween costume my second youngest daughter Krissy asked if I could make a costume for Audrey my grand daughter. They are reading through the book series Little House on the Prairie. I said I’d do a quick search and see what patterns I could find. Often times you can find vintage or even drafted patterns for sale just by taking the time to look. I found one but, not in the correct size so the hunt went on until I found it. Today and tomorrow I’m sharing how the costume turned out, sewing tips when using patterns, the fabrics I used to create the look and give it that vintage feel.
I think this is a fairly easy pattern if you have some experience sewing. There were a few spots were the details weren’t clear to me even having some experience with using patterns and construction but, I made my way through the pattern.
It took one day for the dress construction (layout, cutting and sewing) and one day for the hat and apron, then going back to finish the hem on the dress. I had everything I needed prior and had read through the pattern. Tomorrow I’ll have some sewing tips for using patterns that will help make things easier.
This pattern has quite a few places where you’ll want to pin and baste to make sure your placement is good prior to sewing! Above is a pinned, being basted sleeve.
Looking back on the construction as cute as the ribbon is on the sleeves I would change this to elastic and tack on a bow vs. creating button holes and stringing lace to create the gather (if I ever make this again). Even with the extra ribbon length, when Audrey was playing in the dress the sleeve ribbon came untied and she lost it. Luckily I had brought the extra up with me, re-cut, laced through sleeve and tied. This time I used a safety pin to hold it in place under the ribbon tie. Yes, it could be sewn. But, then it can’t be altered for loosening if someone with a larger arm width uses the costume.
For this pattern you create a casing and thread ribbon to use around the neckline as well as the sleeves as shown above. I used more than ample ribbon so this area wasn’t a problem. Tomorrow I’ll show back view where you can see what I’m talking about. When adding the eyelet lace at neckline and sleeves I used a larger width than called for. It’s what I had on hand and ended up working really well. I pinned it in place prior to sewing.
I hadn’t made button holes in years! I almost avoid patterns with them. Call me chicken. lol They always seemed so complicated. But, I didn’t realize this pattern had them. Game on! I pulled out my button hole foot, manual and read how to use it. I inserted button into sizer on button hole foot and followed the directions. I practiced on several pieces of left over fabric before making these where I marked them with my favorite invisible disappearing pen. Guess what, it wasn’t as hard as I thought! And they came out pretty! Can you hear the Mario Brothers music as I level up?!!
Did you sew a costume this year? Adapt clothing for a costume? or Buy a costume?
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