Sew a princess costume with a shirt and skirt pattern.
Whether it's for Halloween or a whimsical party, sewing a princess costume involves a few steps once your fabrics, patterns and other necessary materials are in order. Consider the type of princess your child wants to be to determine the fabric you will use. Once you take her measurements, it is helpful to use a girls shirt and skirt pattern to quickly sew the outfit. This way, you won't risk the chance of having to re-sew her costume as the pattern is already laid out for you.
Instructions
The Top
1. Take down the child's measurements with measuring tape; the bust and waist. Measure hips to ankles to figure how long the skirt should go and arm length to determine how long the top's sleeves should be.
2. Choose a shirt and skirt pattern that fits the child's measurements. Pick a princess seam pattern. Princess seams generally begin at the waist and travel toward the most prominent part of the body in that quadrant of the garment.
3. Purchase the fabric at a local craft store. Choose material that is lightweight like polyester or silk if you are going for a fairy-type princess. Pick a heavier, darker fabric like velvet or cotton if she fancies being a Renaissance of castle princess.
4. Start sewing the top princess seam pattern first. Use the pattern's directional guidelines to figure how much fabric to use. Use pins to secure the fabric where it should be sewn as directed on pattern instructions.
The Skirt
5. Before you sew the skirt, measure the fullest part of the child's hips with a measuring tape. Divide her measurements in half. Add 2 inches to the original measurement. Then measure her waist; divide this measurement by two and add 2 1/2 inches.
6. Use the skirt pattern to guide you as you sew. Hem the skirt where you see necessary.
7. Include embellishments to complete the skirt. Glue on sparkling beads, colorful ribbons and lace trim to decorate the outfit. Purchase a tiara or princess hat and magic wand to complete the costume.
Tags: princess, costume, skirt pattern, shirt skirt, shirt skirt pattern, child measurements, measuring tape, princess seam, princess seam pattern, seam pattern, sewing princess
