Monday, October 27, 2014

Meow!



It's starting to look like an exclusive toddler sewing blog 'round here. But I promise that's not the case.  I actually snapped some photos of the last few things I've made for me.  But of course I wanted to post about Jane's costume before Halloween.


And just because I'm reminiscing...remember last year's costume?  Crazy how much she has changed in a year.  I'm not sure that this new costume tops last year's.  In fact, I don't know that any costume will ever top that one.  But this one sure did turn out pretty cute.


Kitties.  Jane is obsessed with kitties.  Or kkkhhhhhhh, as she says it.  We're working on it.  So kitty costume it was.  I started with Simplicity 1288, a toddler dress pattern that includes a bunch of different appliqué patterns for the front.  I thought it would be a good pattern for a costume that is not really a costume.  As in, I can pull it on right over top of her regular clothes.   And also the fact that it is all one piece-- ears and tail attached.  That makes it easy put on.   She can't rip off the hood as she is wont to do with bows and hats.



She wasn't so sure about it the first time I put it on her, but now she seems to like it.  She stopped and pointed at herself in the mirror and said kkkkhhhhhhh, so I take that as a good sign.

The biggest change I made to the pattern was turning the two piece hood in to a one piece hood.  I did that because I thought the horizontal seam across the top would be the perfect place to put two little kitty ears.  However, it did make the shape of the hood kind of block-like.  Which is pretty funny from behind.  If I did it again, I'd probably just tack the ears on the outside of the hood.  Although putting them in a seam does make for a cleaner finish.  Anyway, it's cute.  She kind of looks like batman from the back.


I love that the pattern includes a bit of elastic in the hood.  Great way to keep the hood on a busy toddler head.


The tail is stuffed with a little bit of poly-fill.  I bound the armhole and skirt hem edges with the same striped knit I used for the hood lining and facings.  The fluffy white tummy is some of that super squishy minky stuff.  The grey is just plain old cheap-o fleece.  The colors were chosen to match this guy.


I tried, and tried, and tried to get a photo of the two together.  Jane in her costume with the cat who inspired it.  Socks would have none of it.  He is pretty patient with her "petting" for the most part.  He'll put up with almost anything if it means he gets a little bit of love.



What about you guys?  Anyone else sewing any Halloween costumes this year?  Any suggestions on getting a cat to pose for photos with a grabby toddler?

19 comments:

  1. There is no way to top last year's:) But the photo of Baby Jane in her cat costume holding her kitties is adorable! When my niece was about this age I gave her an elephant costume (not made by me). The funniest part was while she was wearing her costume, she became very nice and cooperative. When she took it off, it was back to the "noes."

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    1. Oh, that would be nice! I'd put her costume on all the time if it meant a little more cooperation :) Ha!

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  2. she is the cutest! also, a great costume, and perfect for playing dress-up later on :)

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    1. Yes! Great idea for dress up later on. I think it will fit her for a while.

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  3. She's adorable!! Great costumes and so nice to have these photos to reminisce over :)

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  4. Aw she is just so cute!!! Love this costume, I bet she loves wearing it. The Batman look from the back did make me giggle. Oh, and your cat is very handsome :)

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  5. This is a lovely little costume. I had toy kittens all through my childhood and I used to cuddle them until the fur wore off (and still refuse to part with them!). The ironic thing is, I grew up to be a dog owner - I'm a little scared by the unpredictability of some cats. It will be nice to look back on these pictures when your daughter is older. They really do grow up so fast!

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    1. She loves those stuffed kitties. They are her favorites, by far.

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  6. That is chuffing amazing! Congrats!!

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  7. This looks absolutely adorable!! I would put it on her everyday, cause she looks so cute and snuggly. Great job!

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  8. The tail!!! Oh wow, this is so, so, so, so, so cute!!!!!

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  9. This is fabulous!!!! Wow! I am so impressed. You came up with such a great idea. I would definitely put this away in her keepsake box with a framed picture of her wearing it.

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  10. okay, well you set the bar pretty high last year, but this kitty ensemble is genius! love it so much, and oh that tail is just too cute. nice work!

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  11. What a precious kitty! I love her costume! I caught a buy-one-get-one sale at Target, which got me out of making Halloween costumes this year. :-)

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  12. Oh man this is so adorable! Love the contrasting stripes, too. I don't know, bu this may give Year 1 a run for its money!

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  13. So gosh darn cute! You could totally enter this in the Cat Lady Sewing Challenge over at Miss Crayola Creepy's Blog (http://www.misscrayolacreepy.com/2014/09/cat-lady-sewing-challenge.html)
    Meow, I gotta go make a costume of my own. :)

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  14. So, so adorable. I love the costumes that you make- that stripey trim is such a fun detail. Such a good mix of sweet & cool.

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  15. Oh my goodness she is too cute—I just LOVE that costume! How do they grow so fast?!

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