According to shop assistants at the places where I bought the fabrics for this dress, mums all over Melbourne are busy sewing up Elsa dresses for their daughters - which would explain why Spotlight has such a large range of glittery snowflake fabric.
This little number was a pleasure to sew and (for R) a pleasure to wear. The pattern is self-drafted, with the top part based on one of R's long-sleeved school tops and the bottom section improvised. I made the upper section of the bodice white in an attempt to at least vaguely resemble the gown in the movie (it actually has sheer sleeves, but no way was I going to attempt sewing with that stuff!) and I found joining the white and blue parts easier than I'd anticipated, although they puckered a little when topstitched. The blue fabric is totally synthetic and totally stretchy, so it's already become a little longer in the torso than intended, but it has a lovely soft reverse side, making the dress extra comfy. The white is some kind of stretchy polyester knit.
To ensure washability the cape is completely separate from the dress, and attaches via two little buttons just under the arms. It was supposed to be floor length but R insisted that I leave it ridiculously long. Consequently she spent much of her time at the party today holding up her cape (including at least an hour's jumping on a trampoline) but this didn't bother her in the least. The things we do for fashion!
I'm thinking R may want to wear this for Halloween this year. I wonder if her older brother will agree to be a snowman, or a reindeer...? Now that would be convenient!
Ow this is lovely. R will have so much fun twirling in this.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing was that when she went outside in it, the cape billowed out behind her in the wind. She was very impressed by that :)
DeleteThe dress is so lovely. What a lucky daughter you have! I love doing coordinating costumes. We decided last winter on Pooh and Tiger (and I bought a vintage pattern) for this year. But maybe next I'll take your idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine. I also like to coordinate the kids, but I've only done it once before (Kiki and her cat, Gigi - last Halloween). Their interests are so different, it's hard to find something they're both into. Yours are younger so I'm sure you've got more chance of pulling it off than I do!
DeleteOkay, you did it! Now it's my turn to make Elsa dress for my daughters... I already promised them and T is always playing Elsa with her bath towel after shower every night!
ReplyDeleteGo on Shino, I'd love to see your Elsa dresses!
DeleteYour first sentence cracked me up - what? not the dastardly Prince Hans? These kids lack imagination!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, she obviously LOVES this dress and you did such a great job!
Thanks Inder! Come to think of it, my son might LIKE to go as Prince Hans. The baddies always have more fun, right?
DeleteWell done :) The dress is fit for a queen ;) Hope R enjoyed the party! I was going to make the Elza dress for Little Monkey (she was scared of the movie but knows all the songs by heart), but after I made a tester version of the Desert Rose dress she looked at it with absolute delight and proclaimed it to be her Let It Go dress... so I let it go hahaha She still calls that dress her Let It Go dress - hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenya! How convenient that LM has chosen her own 'Elsa' dress without you having to make one :) I like the way she calls it the 'let it go' dress, too :)
DeleteThat is a seriously lovely Elsa costume.
ReplyDeleteI love the soft bodice that will keep the wee princess warm as well as looking fabulous!
xx N
Thanks Nicole. I'm all for comfy, washable dress-ups (as opposed to those Disney ones that fall apart the first time they go in the washing machine).
DeleteMy daughter would love this, too! The train fabric and the way it drapes is perfect!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about the train, isn't it! Totally impractical, but so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely, simple, and elegant version of the Princess Elsa dress. I am working on a Princess Anna myself, but I will have to try something like this soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kassandra, I'll be looking out for your Anna costume!
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