Thursday, June 10, 2010

Elf Costume

Hi,
Yes, it's been forever. I've been busy. Here is just one of the many things I've been up to. Making this. Sorry the photo is a little blurry.



Pattern Description:
Misses Fairy Costume. View A.
My sister will be attending the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball and asked for an elf costume. Not a Christmas elf, but a woodland/Lord-of-the-Rings-type elf. These are the two pictures she sent as examples.



I've decided to make a combination of the two. This is for the corset/vest part of the costume.



Pattern Sizing:
Size 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. Yippee!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Except for the sewing the back above the zipper. I still can't figure out what they intended. It sounds like they wanted the lining AND exterior turned to the inside and stitched. But the zipper itself tucks nicely in between the lining and the exterior. Why would they want the seam allowances hanging out where it's visible? I ended up just doing an invisible stitch by hand to close it.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Corset-look without the boning. Easy enough for a relative beginner. The zipper was a little tricky, but that's it. Plus the pointy ends are very elf-like. Also, the lining is meant to be made from the same material as the exterior. Two layers of microsuede is going to get hot. If I'd realized it ahead of time, I would have made the lining out of lining material. Note to self: Read the instructions CAREFULLY before cutting fabric next time.

Fabric Used:
Brown microfiber/microsuede from Fashion Fabrics Club.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added strings of sparkly beads to hang from the points at the bottom. You can see from the pattern photo that without any weight, the points curl up a bit. Besides, a girl (or girl elf) can never be too sparkly.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
If anyone needs something to wear to a renaissance faire, this is perfect and goes together pretty quickly.

Conclusion: Done. Now on to the dress part of the costume which will be a modified version of Simplicity 3632.

2 comments:

Karin van D. said...

Wow, that looks amazing. I can even imagine wearing something like that in a day-to-day situation. Maybe without the points though. Just like Audi (http://geekthreads.blogspot.com/) does sometimes with her corsets, looks amazing on her.

I bet you are going to make a wonderful elf!

Michele said...

You're so talented Audrey! You better hope I don't remember this if I need a costume someday :)