Costume Archives - The Finished Garment

Simplicity S9775: Knights on Crusade

Lately, I’ve been getting lots of requests for costumes from the family, and the latest creation is a simple set of knightly tabards and a mantle (a cape) using Simplicity S9775.

Simplicity S9775 with the fleur-de-lis appliqué.

This is a unisex costume that comes in a single size. However, I still made some size adjustments. For my tween, I removed about 4″ total from the width. For my husband, I added the same amount of total width (he’s usually a men’s large). I made View C, which is the shorter length, and skipped the front and back vents. Yes, I realize this will make it more difficult for my knights to ride their horses. lol.

The fussiest part of the pattern is the appliqué, and I recruited my tween to cut out these pieces. There are three different options, and I used two of them. I simply used a zigzag stitch to apply them. This was a costume, after all.

The main fabric is mystery fabric from the Seconde Fibre section of The Fabric Club. Their goal with this department is to sell deadstock, remnants, and other unusual fabrics at low prices to prevent them from ending up in landfills.

The fabric I used was possibly drapery. The pattern calls for a woven, but I used a knit. It’s a black burnout knit with a floral brocade-style pattern and a satin-velour finish. Probably, this is mostly synthetic.

I found a small remnant (under 1 m) of the Fabric Club’s majestic satin in red for the appliqués. This is a very beautiful but also very slippery fabric! I interfaced the appliqués with regular interfacing to keep them stable while sewing. I loved the satin so much, I went back to get more for another project (not a costume).

However, this project would have been a bit easier if I hadn’t chosen a fabric as shifty as this, such as upholstery brocade, for example. Sewing the slipperiest satin ever to a knit was challenging. For the heraldic shield, I attached the decorative braid first and that made it easier to attach, and removed the need for seam finishes on the satin as the fabric was completely enclosed.

I love the contrast between black and red. It gives the costumes a nice Knights Templar or Knights Hospitaller vibe.

For an added regal touch I used gimp braid from the upholstery section to trim the tabards. It was also the end of the roll. I used upholstery cord for the belts.

My tween cut out the appliqués, and I attached them using a zigzag stitch. I used upholstery braid for trim.

I had only planned to make the tabards, but there was so much fabric left over I managed to get a mantle as well. I didn’t line it, though – mostly because I didn’t have enough knit fabric for that. I made it as long as possible to use up all the fabric, so it’s a bit longer than the short length. Unfortunately, it was whisked away before I could get a good photo.

This was an extremely easy pattern to sew. I finished both tabards and the mantle in a day. I’d strongly recommend the costume for someone looking for a quick project with great results.

Summary

Pattern Review: Simplicity S9775, Unisex Costume Tabards, Capes and Heraldic Shields in one size.
Fabric: Mystery fabric from Seconde Vie, and majestic satin from the Fabric Club in red.
Notions and Equipment: Gimp braid and cord from the upholstery section.

Size: One size.
Cost: Pattern: $7.22 Fabric: About $20. Notions: About $20 for gimp braid and cord.
Sewing Level: Easy according to the pattern-maker, but I’d say very easy.
Modifications: I changed the width, depending on the wearer, left out the front and back vents, and did not line the mantle.
Results: Ready for adventure!

Four and a Half Bats

“What do you want to be for Halloween?” I asked.

“I want to be a fruit bat”, announced my three-year-old, “a baby fruit bat”.

“Yes, yes! I want to be a fruit bat too!” kids No 1 and 2 agreed.

Umm, ok then. My kids had been waffling over Halloween costumes, and nothing was really getting them excited about dressing up. Until this. So fruit bats. Hmmm.

I decided to start with the Red Riding Hood pattern from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew. It is sooooo cute. Ack! I’ve been waiting for a good excuse to sew it. So off I headed to the fabric store, three-year-old in tow.

I cut the bottom in a scalloped pattern.

I was hoping for a black faux suede, but there was only grey or brown available.

“Feel this, isn’t it soft?” I said. “Would you like to be a grey or brown baby fruit bat?”

In response I got a “no” that was part determined, part horrified and the look that I will one day get when I have to pick her up from high school. Sooo embarrassing, mum!

“I want to be a black fruit bat.”

So we tried another store, this time with all the kids in tow.

“Would you like to be a shiny bat?” I said, showing off the faux leather. Oh, the horrified looks!

I managed to find a faux suede/velvet with a herringbone pattern that met with approval. I was worried it would look a bit odd, but it was great. It was incredibly easy to sew with, and no black fluff everywhere! A first for fuzzy Halloween costumes!

This pattern is so easy! And fast! Of course I had to make it four times, so fast is a relative concept. But if you are lucky enough to only have to make one, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Four bat costumes using the Oliver + S Red Riding Hood pattern from Little Things to Sew.

I skipped the arm openings, lengthened the capes by about two inches, cut the bottoms of the cape in a scalloped bat-wing pattern and hand sewed on ears. I used fine elastic for the button loops, which I thought would be less choke-y with a lot of bat-like swooping. I also added elastic loops at the end of the wings to make it easier to swoop without having to grab onto the wing tips.

The pattern comes in medium and large, so I graded a smaller size for my smallest. I found the pattern fit large, perfect for bats, but maybe I would go down a size for each kid, if it were for real life clothing.

The cape is a bit big, but good for bats.

The capes got a lot of use, and we even took the kids to the bat exhibit at the zoo so they could say hello to the real fruit bats, dressed as bats. Fun!

Then my husband asked where his bat cape was. Doh! And then I got the flu. So next, year I have a huge head start on his half-made bat costume (ahem). Still, Halloween was a blast, and then we all got the flu.

But that just meant that there was one more day of swooping bats today (though only two bats were willing to swoop) so that mummy could blog her sewing.

Wings wrapped around. — Wings wrapped around the bats.

Summary

Pattern Review: Red Riding Hood from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.

Fabric: Faux suede with a herringbone pattern. Some sort of synthetic.

Sizes: S, M and L.

Sewing Level: Beginner.

Modifications: I added bat ears, elastic loops at the wrists, used elastic for the button loop, and cut the bottom of the cape in a scalloped pattern. I lengthened the capes by about two inches. I graded a small size for my smallest, since the pattern only comes in medium and large.

Results: Great. I would recommend this pattern and hope to make it as real clothing.

Three-year-old approved bat costume using the Red Riding Hood pattern from the book Little Things to Sew by Oliver + S — Three-year-old-approved bat costume using the Red Riding Hood pattern from the book Little Things to Sew by Oliver + S

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Getting Ready for Halloween

I have been sewing up a storm, but you’ll have settle for a sneak peek.

Right now, I’m up to my ears in Halloween sewing. That’s the thing with having four kids who all want the same costume for Halloween.

I’ve got my pattern picked out and traced in 3 sizes. It’s from Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.

I have so much fabric. I don’t think I have ever bought this much of the same thing at once. And it’s heavy too.

Fabric for this year's Halloween costume. — Fabric for this year’s Halloween costume.

Here’s a little sneak peek. There is still a lot left to do though. When my husband heard what I was planning he said he wanted a costume too. We’ll see if I have enough fabric for that.