Friday, October 26, 2007

A costume from safety pins, a blanket, and a touch of fairy dust

After yesterday's post, where you all went on in the comments about how sweet my little girl is, I'm tempted to write a post about how crabby she is in the morning, or how she won't share certain toys, or about how she is not yet very good at saying please. But I won't... I'll just bask in the glow of her sweet moments.

Instead, I'll share with you more adventures in Halloween Costumes. I mentioned in a previous post how The May Queen was going to be Cinderella, and I was going to make my own Fairy Godmother Costume out of a blanket. I bought a blue fleecy blanket a few weeks ago, and set it aside. Then last Tuesday I got a reminder in the e-mail about a Halloween Party the following Thursday. Whew! I thought, Good thing I have the blanket. I planned to spend a few hours on Thursday turning the blanket into a robe. The fleecy quality of the blanket meant I would not have any need for hemming, since fleece doesn't fray. I had looked up some ideas online, and had planned to make it very simply... A big circle with a neck hole and cut up the front... tied with a pink ribbon, then attach a hood, which would be the hardest part, but I found simple instructions for a half circle hood online, and thought it would be no big deal. 2 hours, tops.

Are you beginning to snicker at my arrogance yet? Go right ahead.

On Thursday morning I pulled the blanket out of its plastic casing. Then I measured myself from ankle to neck, to see what the radius of the circle needed to be. First problem. There was no way I could cut a circle big enough out of this blanket, despite the fact that it was king size. So I thought about it a bit. I consulted my daughter's plastic fairy godmother figure, which would become my inspiration or pattern of sorts for the rest of the day. I came up with a plan. Make a skirt, and then a little jacket sort of thing with a hood. That would actually look more like the shape of the robe from the famed cartoon, and I could do it with the fabric I had. I measured for the skirt, and cut it out. I cut the waist hole a little large, but I could easily pin it to myself with just a few safety pins. I was feeling smug. I think I took a break to blog.

Then I returned to the remaining fabric. I turned it this way and that, trying to figure out how to make a coat out of it. I pinned it, and checked in the mirror. It looked great from the front, but not the back. I tried again. Weird billowing on the sides. I tried again. Too short in the back. I tried and tried and tried. Hours passed. I nervously snipped and pinned fabric. I was beginning to contemplate running out a buying a sexy Hogwarts outfit. OK, not really. I finally had something I thought resembled a jacket, with just the right triangular type sleeves. Then I measured my head, and cut out the half circle for my hood. I tried it around my head, and it seemed way too large, so I trimmed several inches off. But then when I went to sew it on I realized that the extra inches were so that it would have a hoodish shape in the back, and not just lay on top of my head like a scarf. I debated sewing the piece back on, but decided to try it this way first, and then see. I sewed it all together by hand, literally cutting and changing it as I went. I sewed the pink ribbon on 6 minutes before I had to leave to pick up the May Queen from school. I was still in my pajamas.

I rushed to get ready, grabbed a wand from the dress up box, and rushed out the door.


I'm actually quite proud of my creation, and was pleased when everyone recognized what I was immediately, even if Cinderella wasn't at my side.

We got to wear our costumes again today at a Trunk or Treat event. Thank goodness it cooled off this week - wearing a blanket in October in Louisiana is a hit or miss idea. On the way home we could spy the full moon rising. "It's a Halloween Moon" the May Queen exclaimed, "it even has a tree in front of it."

It sure did. A Halloween Moon. Here's hoping you have a magical Halloween.

34 comments:

amanda said...

I am in awe.... You both look wonderful and right out of disney.

Suz said...

The May Queen looks amazing and you look quite the Fairy Godmother, with the little half-smile and everything!

Furrow said...

Good lord, That's fantastic! Did you have little enchanted mice helping you make that?

Anonymous said...

Wow, you made it. Poof! Just like magic. Except for all the trial and error bits, and hours of frustration.

Oh, I've been there. I recognized the "2 hours tops" mentality. Many, many hours of mine have flown that way. (And in my case, there's usually some swearing.)

Your costume did turn out fabulously. You and May Queen look perfect.

painted maypole said...

oh well, yes, there was probably a wee bit of cursing. But no mice.

Creative-Type Dad said...

Wow! That's amazing.

You must really have magical powers.

Family Adventure said...

You are without the slightest doubt the Fairy Godmother. Coming from someone who is absolutely useless with any types of sewing, I am just astounded that this could be designed and made in a few hours. Amazed, really.
I hope you have a wonderful Halloween with that adorable little Cinderella.
Thanks for sharing!

- Heidi :)

flutter said...

I am so hyperventilating right now! WHile you are Disney adorable, it takes me back to when I was Snow White at Disneyland. I must go grab a back to breathe into....

the dragonfly said...

Are you sure that's not a *real* magic wand?? You and the May Queen look great! (although I have to admit...I did laugh a bit when I read the two hours tops line. Mostly because whenever I have that attitude something inevitably goes wrong. Almost immediately, usually.)

;)

Candygirlflies said...

Well done!! The costumes BOTH look great.

I just love hand-made Hallowe'en costumes...

There's BIG fun going on at our house this week, too...

xo CGF

niobe said...

You are brilliant! Since I can't sew and I'm terrible with spatial relations, I couldn't begin to understand your description of how you made the costume, let alone even attempt to make anything so perfect myself.

Anonymous said...

Wow - You look great! I never imagined, reading the description that it was actually coming out so well.

S said...

The costume is BEAUTIFUL! As are you.

Kat said...

That looks great! You are a creative genius!

Chrissy said...

You are adorable! It looks exactly like the fairy godmother! Good job.

Magpie said...

You are clever!

I caved and bought my child a ready-made Glinda the Good Witch costume. I broke it out this morning...child is in seventh heaven. Pink! Sparkles! Joy!

Tania said...

As someone who is useless at doing things myself, I feel the need to call you crazy, just to make myself feel better for buying a costume at Old Navy.

Great job though.

crazymumma said...

Hey! Its you! I love seeing my bloggy friend faces....great costume....

I love your first paragraph. I go on about the sweet moments as well, misleading everyone into thinking I and my children are simply wondurful. Cheerfully forgetting the bad.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

It looks great!!

Rima said...

I am impressed! I can't even fix a hem using iron-on tape, so what you've done is like rocket science to me.

And the two of you look just beautiful.

Helen/Spike and Drusilla OK Citizens said...

Bippity Boppity Boo! I am very impressed and jealous of your creation!

Aliki2006 said...

You are amazing!

I love the costume--I am in awe of you...

theflyingmum said...

Amazing job! That is totally a fairy-god-motherskirt/jacket/hood. You rock!

Beck said...

Okay, that is just ASTONISHING.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

You, your costume and Cinderella are ALL beautiful! Wow!

P.S. I just forwarded a Community Blog Award to you on my blog...

Girlplustwo said...

be still my heart. how beautiful you are, and how crafty, sister.

nicely done.

Catherine said...

I LOVE that picture! You should be proud...
catherine

Anonymous said...

THat is an AWESOME costume. I have never made one even close to as good.

Mary Beth said...

Okay I'm so jealous I could just spit! Not only does it fit so well, it drapes the way it should. You really are a fairy godmother!

Happy Halloween:)

Christine said...

you look amazing!

sewing totally scares me.

MARY G said...

That looks wonderful! Well done, you.

b*babbler said...

You both look terrific! I'm in awe...

I went as a tired looking mom, old jeans, crappy jacket, hair in a ponytail. It took lots of imagination, I know. I'm super-crafty like that. :)

K.E.P. said...

Hi, I found your blog and fairy godmother costume picture doing a search on google. Just wondering if you are considering selling the cape. I have a bridesmaid dress that I can use for a fairy godmother costume, but need a cape.
Thanks for your time.
Karen
lizzyp77@gmail.com

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