What a crazy weekend we had! Unfortunately, one of the down sides of the superbuzzy trip to Japan is the timing - I've had almost no time for Halloween fun. But, this weekend was a total sewing frenzy trying to get Brynne's costume finished up. I had grand plans of working on it before, but as always, everything else seemed to get in the way. Since it was obvious that Brynne would be a lion for Halloween, I tried to find the best possible lion costume pattern. I didn't want just a fuzzy jumpsuit, but something that was more complete and detailed. I came across this pattern designed by Tom Arma (McCalls 8938):
The pattern was impossible to find locally in a larger size (4T), so I ended up ordering directly from McCalls. I think it was basically designed for a baby, but I liked the details and decided to go with it. The sewing actually went very smoothly. I followed the pattern pretty closely, although I eliminated the feet because she'll wear shoes, and I only used one row of elastic at the wrist (who really needs 3 rows of elastic?!?). The real insanity is the mane. This involves cutting hundreds of strips of different colored ribbon in various lengths, using fabric glue to form the strips into loops, and then individually gluing each of the loops to the costume. Ugh! Thank goodness for patient husbands! While I was whirring away on the sewing machine, Jerry was cutting and gluing... his poor fingers were covered in the stuff! In fact, I think he's putting the final touches on the lion hood as I type this!
The good news is that Brynne loves it. Each time I had her try it on to check the fit, she would run through the house roaring and growling and generally being lion-like. I think she might just live in this costume for a while! I haven't got photos of her in it yet because of the aforementioned endless gluing, but I'll get something up tomorrow of the little lion in action. She's a pretty cute lion, if I may say so!
I hope everyone out there has a fun day tomorrow, whether or not Halloween festivities are involved! And, just as a side note, superbuzzy sent out the latest newsletter with a big shop update! If you think you should be getting a newsletter, but you didn't, please let us know!
yeah, my mom made that costume for my son - it's worth the trouble - SO cute and everyone loves it. she took the feet off as well - and we're glad to get to use it a second time with my youngest this year.
roar!
Posted by: kirsten | October 31, 2006 at 05:25 AM
I'll bet she looks so adorable! I have to admit: if they had the skunk in my size, that's probably what I would go as this year.
Posted by: Scribbles & Bits | October 31, 2006 at 05:45 AM
I made the panda for my niece Erin when she was 1 and then used that same pattern as guide when I made my niece Eva a Hello Kitty costume when she was 2. They are very well done and really turn out cute! Can't wait to see the pictures of how the lion turned out.
Posted by: Sandy | October 31, 2006 at 06:15 AM
can't wait to see the photos! I'm sure she'll look very cute.
Posted by: jess | October 31, 2006 at 06:47 AM
I made the monkey costume for my daughter when she was 2 or 3. She loved it and wore it for a few years.
Posted by: Denise | October 31, 2006 at 07:35 AM