Renaissance Faire 2016: Princess Dress

This dress took forever.  At least two weeks.  One of the most complicated things I've probably done.  I should go back and fix a couple things.
Good thing she loves it.

 This was actually the first project I started for this year's Renaissance Faire.  It was a good thing I didn't save it for last, or it would never have gotten done.  It took me 2-3 hours to get all the pieces cut and marked.  Another night to sew darts, oh the darts.  16 darts in total.

 It is straight up view B with no alterations.  Because, guess what?  You can't alter it.  There are no "lengthen or shorten here" places due to the way the skirt and bodice are formed and go together.

 And given the construction of the tulip skirt, it definitely required leggings to go with it.  (and MY boots)

 I should say, that despite all the pieces and all the steps it did go together like it was supposed to.  I've never sewn anything quite like it before, though.  The cross straps are sewn into the neckline, but then hand stitched on the outside.  (another evening of sewing)  That is actually the one thing I should probably go back and fix.  I should probably sew those straps down while its on the dress form so the curves sit correctly.  To me the bust area isn't as smooth as it should be.

The skirt does sit smoothly, but it was a bit windy and E had already been sitting in the car for 20 minutes before we took pictures.  Oh, and she had worn it for most of a day once I finished it.

Just a couple more things, in case you are curious about this pattern and visiting from the interwebs.
The instructions have you do lots of under stitching (I don't get under stitching, I mean, I know why I'm supposed to do it, but it never seems to work well for me.  Give me top stitching any day).  And I did it, because top stitching clearly was not going to work on this dress, but because the neckline was so thick with all the layers of fabric, lace and interfacing, the lining still kept coming forward, so this was my hack: I did a large running stitch, from the lining side, through all but the top layer, all the way around the neck opening, and now the lining doesn't roll to the front.  I don't care if its not pretty, or doesn't match.  It worked.

 And also, the back detail.  The bands do not actually go all the way around.  They meet up at the side seam.  The pattern has to do this because of the side invisible zipper.

 E and Mini.

Blue Sparkle Fairy

E's fairy costume is a bit of a mish mash.  The top is from McCall's 5745 with the skirt added from Simplicity 5363.

Her costume was definitely the 'hardest', but I was quite lucky that the skirt matched up with the top, even though they were completely different sizes and patterns!

I first made the dress out of the sheer sparkly blue, but even with the leotard underneath, I felt it was a bit too revealing, so I made a white skirt layer, with left over blue along the edges.  Much better, and cuter, too.

The 'wings' are a piece of charmuese? that I shaped and attached at the wrists and neck with ribbon.  Didn't even have to hem!

A couple of the fairies from the fair - I think E fit right in!

I also made the flower crown.  Just some cheap fake flowers from Joanns.

The most disturbing thing about the makeup, not so much that I let her wear it, but I didn't even have to bend over to put it on!  Yikes!

Gandalf The Grey

 WD requested a Gandalf costume this year.  No problem!  I already had the pattern from last year's dwarf.   McCalls 3789. I made pants, tunic and sash out of a lightweight broadcloth blend.

 The hat is made of felt.

 I found the perfect staff in the garage!

 The robe is a grey cotton that I got for $2.00 a yard.  He wisely chose not to wear it at the fair.  It was pretty hot.

The Dwarf, Thorin Oakenshield

 And now for the dwarf.  That short man in the hat and beard is WD's version of Thorin Oakenshield from The Hobbit.  We have been reading through it together as a family.

 The costume is completely from McCalls 3789.  View C & E.

 WD picked out the colors.  He actually wanted Red pants.  I just couldn't do it when I was fabric shopping.  So I went with the rust.  He was OK with it, fortunately.  The hat is modified from the pattern.  I made the cone part, and instead of putting on the large brim, I measured WD's head and made a band. 

 Here's a very hot dwarf, drinking 'sarsaparilla'.  Rootbeer w/ licorice flavor in it.




PS.  One more day to enter the giveaway.  Winners announced tomorrow afternoon.