Tutorial – Witch Cape

October 29, 2015
The witch cape is pretty straight forward. A simple solution for that extra accessory for your little witch.


You will need:
1+ yards
Plate (optional)
20" Ribbon

Measurements:
Length from nape of neck to knee, or however long you want the cape to be + 3

Step 1: Semi circle
First, decide how long you want the cape to be on your kiddo. I wanted mine to be 15" long (plus, I didn't want to buy more than a yard). Add three inches and make half a circle by finding the center point of your fabric and measure from that point outwards 18" (or whatever your measurement is + 3), sweeping around all the way to the other side. If you don't want the cape to sweep in front, cut the fabric as shown in the diagram below, that is, not an entire semi circle.
The cape Chelsea is wearing in the pictures was cut as an entire semi circle. We threw the cape back over her shoulders to show off the whole costume.

Step 2: Neck
You can use a plate to cut the neck of the cape or you can measure three inches away from the point/center of the fabric and cut another semi circle.
Step 3: Zig zag/hem
Zig zag stitch around the neck, bottom edge, and sides of the cape. Fold under the fabric at the bottom of the cape and use a straight stitch to sew the hem. Do the same on the sides of the cape.

Step 4: Ribbon
Find the center your 20" ribbon and pin it to the center of the cape's neck, right side of ribbon facing up on top of the right side of the cape. Pin the rest of the ribbon along the neck and use a straight stitch to attach the two. Done!

And that's all there is to it for Chelsea's Witch Costume! Add a leotard, black tights, and black shoes and you've got a bona fide witch! Click on the links below for their separate tutorials!

BOO! Happy Halloween!
0

Tutorial – Witch hat and broom

October 28, 2015
So the story behind the hat. I was back and forth for a few days about whether to just buy the hat or try making it myself. By the time I decided to just buy the $3 hat from Savers, they were sold out. Haha! Luckily, they're not too hard to make.

Oh, and if you wanna make the broomstick, buy a long stick (stain if you want/need) and some brown grass/branches from Hobby Lobby, tie them all together, and push the long stick down inside the top. Trim the sticks at the bottomto be the desired length, and tie around the sticks again.

The tutorial for the Witches hat is a little more complex, just because of the math involved, but the concept is, you make a cone and a brim, and put them together.

You will need:
1/2 yard of black felt (the stiffer, the better)
Ribbon (optional, if you want to be able to tie the hat under the chin)
Calculator
Pattern paper (highly suggested) and pencil
Measuring tape
Black thread, machine, scissors, etc.

Measurements:
Circumference of head
Desired height of pointed hat

Calculations:
Circumference = 2Ï€r
Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

Okay. Let's get started. Hope you remember some of your geometry!

Step 1: Radius
Measure around your subjects head to get the circumference. Find the radius by solving the equation for r. The example shows the measurements I used for my 3-year-old's head.
Step 2: Find the hat slant
Decide how tall you want the hat to be. I decided 9" was just right for my 3-year-old. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for c (hat slant).



Step 3: Hat point
Using your measurements, create a pattern for yourself on your pattern paper. Start at the point of the hat and measure straight down the length of your hat slant plus 1". Create a curve from there outwards to half of the circumference (plus a half inch), staying true to your hat slant. Do the same on the other side.


Set this pattern piece aside

Step 4: Brim
Now, subtract 0.5" inch from your head radius. Start at a center point on your pattern paper and draw a circle using the previous measurement (radius - 0.5") as your guide. Decide how wide you want your brim to be and draw another circle around the first. I started out with a 6" brim and cut it down to the size I wanted at the very end.


Step 5: Cut and sew
Pin your pattern pieces to your felt and cut them out. Pin the sides of the hat point together, right sides together to create the point of the hat. Sew with a straight stitch (1/2" seam allowance) from the point to the outside edge. Iron the seam open (on a low setting).
Pin the hat point to the brim with right sides together. Sew with a straight stitch (1/2" seam allowance) to attach the two, then clip around the circle on the seam allowance, sew on a couple of ribbons if you want to be able to tie it under the chin, and you're done!


Couldn't be happier with the outcome! It really does make the whole look! Hope you're getting all set for Halloween! I'm counting on this girl picking up lots and lots of Butterfingers! Yummmmmm...
0

Tutorial – Quick Witch Skirt

October 27, 2015
I am just finishing up with Chelsea and Alexa's Halloween Costumes! I don't know why, but this pregnancy is rendering me a HORRIBLE decision maker and it took me over a MONTH to decide exactly what the girls would be for Halloween. Chelsea and I finally decided on a witch costume for her and a black cat for Alexa. I'm pretty sure the broom stick was what won her over. The simplicity of the entire ensemble was what won me, and it would be SO easy to adjust this pattern for yourself!


For a 3-year-old,

You will need:
2 yards fabric
1 yard thick black elastic
Iron, scissors, machine, thread, etc.

Measurements:
Toddler's waist
Waist to floor

Calculations:
Toddler's waist divided by 2, multiplied by 3
ex. 22/2=11       11x3=33

Dimensions:
Two panels as wide as the calculation determined above and the length from the toddler's waist to the floor.

Step 1: Panels
Iron any wrinkles out of your panels and use a zig zag stitch along the shorter ends to prevent fraying. Pin your two panels together along the shorter ends, right sides together. Use a straight stitch to sew the panels together with a 3/8" seam allowance. Iron these seams open.

Step 2: Elastic Waistband
Cut the elastic to your toddler's waist measurement, minus 2 inches. Zig zag stitch the short ends and pin them together. Use a straight stitch to sew the ends together with 3/8" seam allowance. Iron the seam open then sew the ends down on the elastic with a straight stitch, just inside the zig zag stitches.



Step 3: Gather
Set your machine to the longest stitch and sew around the top of the two panels you've sewn together beginning at one side seam and continuing half way along the top of the skirt to the other side seam (3/8" seam allowance). Lift your sewing foot and needle at this point and cut the thread to be 5 or 6 inches long so that you can easily gather. Begin a new stitch from the side seam you left off on to the other side sea, leaving a 5-6 inch trail thread.

Find the sides and the centers (front and back) of the skirt. Pin them to the Elastic at the sides and centers, pulling skirt fabric up to hide 1/2" of the top edge underneath the waistband.


Pull the trail threads to gather the fabric until the skirt fabric fits the elastic and pin in place, hiding 1/2" of the top of the skirt fabric underneath the elastic waistband.


Step 4: Attach Skirt to Waistband
Use a zig zag stitch to attach the skirt to the waistband. Start at the back of the skirt, or seam of waistband, and use a zig zag stitch to attach them along the edge of the waistband.
We use a zig zag stitch here to prevent fraying of the skirt fabric and because the zig zag stitch will allow the elastic to stretch. If you're looking for a cleaner look, there are stretch needles you can buy that will allow you to use a straight stitch instead, but since the elastic is black and this is a costume piece, I didn't mind.

Step 5: Hem
Try the skirt on your toddler and decide how long you want the skirt to be. Add an inch to that and cut any excess fabric. Take your skirt to the ironing board and fold the bottom edge under twice 1/2". Iron these folds, pin for extra precaution, then use a straight stitch to sew the hem in place and you're finished!


Sew sew cute! ;)

And the finished product is the BEST! I cannot get over how cute this little witch is! Look forward to a couple more tutorials (hopefully) before the week is through for more of Chelsea's costume!



1

First Gingersnaps of the Season!

October 2, 2015
It's October! If all the "I'm so glad I live in a world with Octobers" instagram posts yesterday didn't clue you in, now you know. We decided to start it off making my FAVORITE fall treat, Gingersnaps! They are so yummy! It was a little crazy trying to make them with two littles and picture taking, but we managed.








i'm pretty sure these are their "i'm a model" faces, yes, cookie and all.

even while walking and eating a cookie, this girl's a beauty!



Welcome October!

And don't forget about General Conference this weekend!
Click here for more information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and to hear the messages from its leaders this weekend.


Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.
1
Powered by Blogger.