Happy Belated Halloween!!

Yeah, sorry.  After I posted my last blog post, I knew that something was going to happen to prevent me from posting.  Our internet is acting weird and we can't log on.  Right now I am sort of pilfering our neighbor's internet (shhh!!  Blogging is muy importante :P)

Anyways!  My daughter chose to be Audrey Hepburn for Halloween this year.  Yes, my four-year-old daughter actually chose to be Audrey.  I had nothing to do with it.  As a matter of fact, I was a little bitter because I wanted her to be a witch, but it's her Halloween and she loved her costume! 

I used Simplicity 2460 and I really liked the dress that came of it.  I would definitely make it again (and I already have another dress cut out from this pattern...more to come ;) )  The instructions were okay, I guess.  I didn't really use them to be honest.  It's a pretty straight forward dress.  The one thing that I want to do differently next time is to line the bodice instead of using those dumb facings.  You can easily see the facings from the outside if she moves weird. 

So, when I found out Kayleigh wanted to be Audrey, I knew that I had to make her a black dress, which I was against.  I don't get/make Kayleigh white or black clothes.  White because it stains, and while I don't care about that, she freaks out about it.  Black because I think it's either too mature for kids or too depressing for kids.  With that in mind I decided to get some cheap cotton, at the fabric store I talked myself out of it.  I mean, if it's Halloween, lets go for it.  So I went to the costume satin and I pulled out a bolt.  Then, a little voice in my head asked, "Would Audrey ever wear something this cheap?"

"No..."

"Then put it back and go to the good stuff"

"It's too expensive" I reasoned.

"No, it's not.  It's 40% off"

"But, this is just for a four-year-old's Halloween costume!" I shout internally.

"Exactly, there will never, ever, ever be another 4th Halloween"

*le sigh* So, a mixture of "Mommy Guilt", "Sale-itis", and my internal fabric buying fiend prompted me to get the good stuff.  While this is not silk and is definitely a man made fiber, it is also really lovely and has a nice drape.  So, once I got "the good stuff", why would I just slap some seams into it and call it a day?  No, I would construct the ENTIRE FREAKING DRESS with french seams.  For those who attempt this pattern, please don't do this.  It's really difficult when it comes to the sleeves!  The sleeves were two piece sleeves with gathers at the sleeve caps and pleats on the top-very difficult to sew in flat and with a french seam!  With all that said, I managed to start this at 6:00 the day before Halloween and finish that night, except for a zipper, hem, and the button on the front. 

Also, I must say that this is THE BEST THING THAT I HAVE EVER MADE!!!  I am really excited about it.  The irony is not lost on me, though.  This is impeccably made and it's a four-year-old's halloween costume.  One consolation?  Kayleigh is getting really into sewing (yes, she sews!), so hopefully one day, she will look back at this dress and appreciate all the work I did on it. 

Okay enough of that!  Gratuitous baby  toddler big girl pictures! 

These pictures were when she realized how close trick-or-treating actually was!  Also, to prove that she was freaking excited!

And then of course, the picture of the back.  No, the pleat in the back doesn't actually sit like that in real life.

It was really funny because while we were trick-or-treating, a lot of people thought she was a princess.  One person thought she was Elizabeth Taylor and another person thought she dressed up as "a nice christian girl".......ummmm okay?  However, when people found out she was Audrey, they thought it was really cool.  And everyone thought I put her up to it!  Really, I had no say in this. 

I learned a couple things coming out of this. 
1. I make really awesome clothes
2. my sewing skills have really improved.  Some ladies were asking if this was a bridemaid's dress and they didn't believe me when I said I made it...

and most importantly....

3. my daughter is pretty freakin cool and creative....