by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 4, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #4:
Choose inexpensive fabrics! A one-night costume doesn’t have to be fancy. Felt or broadcloth are great cheaper options, watch for sales at your local fabric stores or online!
I generally choose broadcloth (on sale) for most of my handmade costumes. It comes in lots of solid colours, is lightweight and translates well into the “clothing-type” costumes my daughters usually choose. (Princess, Princess, Princess… LOL) This year, however, my youngest wants to be a chocolate chip cookie – so I bought 4 1/2 meters of felt on sale last weekend. I’m excited to play with a new type of material I haven’t tried yet!
Sewing Tip: When sewing felt (and other fluffy Halloween fabrics like faux fur) a lot of fluff can accumulate in your bobbin case. Make sure to clean it out regularly to get the best performance from your sewing machine. Collecting fluff can put a lot of wear and tear on the mechanics over time.
Follow all 10 Janome Halloween Costume Tips with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin’.
Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 3, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #3:
Size up your pattern pieces! Sew the costume one or two sizes larger than your fast-growing child so it can spend lots of time in the dress-up box. (Maybe it could even be re-used or re-purposed next year!)
While you take the time to sew an awesome costume, make sure to start and end each seam with a locking or reverse stitch. This will hold the stitching tight and allow your costume to make it through the whole day at school and a busy night!
The Skyline S9 I have on loan from Janome Canada has a specific stitch that includes locking or reversing. The lock-a-matic (U2) and locking (U3) stitches will automatically reverse or create a locking stitch at each end of your seams. Check your sewing machine to see if you have a setting like this as well!
My oldest’s princess costume (from her first year of kindergarten in 2012!) is a good example of up-sizing. It is still upstairs in our dress-up box today and is “the favorite” dress to pull out when playing. It still fits my youngest and gets worn all the time.
(Of course, if you are in Canada or another cold-weather Halloween country, you know sizing up is important so you can fit the child’s snowsuit underneath! LOL)
Follow all 10 Janome Halloween Costume Tips with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin’.
Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 2, 2017
Halloween Sewing Tip #2:
Get your kids involved in sewing and designing the costume. If they do not usually sew, teach them with simple straight lines. They will be so proud of the finished project!
Kids love to help and the fact that you want their opinion on the final product will make them so pleased. Even more if you let them actually sew it too! You will be the best #supermom (grandma, dad…) ever!
A great tool to use is the Speed Control slider available on many sewing machines. Slide the control so the machine operates as slowly as possible. This will allow them to concentrate on the seam, not on how fast the machine is moving!
You can also get your child interested in sewing by teaching them how to gather fabric to make a ruffle or gathered skirt. (I know my girls love them some good ruffles!) This new skill might be enough to get them excited. Here are some tips:
- Use a strong thread, like a button weight.
- Set the machine to the longest stitch length.
- Start the seam with a locking stitch or a back stitch.
- Sew the length of the seam and leave a long thread tail without locking or back stitching.
- Pull the thread tail to gather the fabric.
Another idea is to sew the base project and get them to add details with fabric paints and markers. My daughter painted the complex embroidery on the front of her costume last year, and was so pleased with the results. Kids can also add ribbons and embellishments with glue. They’ll love being part of the plan!
Follow all 10 Janome Halloween Costume Tips with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Bloglovin’.
Disclaimer: I am a Canadian Janome Artisan. Janome provided artwork (with my photos) for this project and the Skyline S9 on-loan machine I am currently using. As with all the products I write about – I always tell you my own honest opinion.
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 1, 2017
Are you ready for Halloween? It’s October and I’m excited to be posting a series of 10 Halloween Costume Sewing Tips, sponsored by Janome Canada. To start the series with a “Boo!” (hee hee) I’m relaunching my popular Super Hero Cape pattern – updated with new photos and 2 new larger sizes!
The smile on your child’s face when they see their handmade costume is the best! Be your kid’s Halloween costume hero and sew it yourself! Find the first Janome Halloween Costume Tip in the instructions below and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest so you don’t miss the others. You can also find great sewing information, contests and free patterns on the Janome Life blog.
When I made the first Super Hero Capes for Christmas (2011!), they were a huge hit. My girls flew all over the house solving mysteries and doing super hero business. Usually they were saving someone, sometimes a prince in distress. (You go girl!) Sometimes they’d stop to save kittens from trees, or rescue babies from mean monsters and other things of that sort. Since then they’ve grown up a little, but the capes are still in good use during their creative plays and shows.
Many of you have asked for a cape in larger sizes and I’m excited to be able to upgrade the free pattern and tutorial below! The old post was looking pretty dated with tiny, dark photos – I hope you like the new version!
Free Cape Pattern and Tutorial
As usual, please feel free to use my patterns/tutorials for your personal projects and gifts and for charitable fundraising events. Please do not sell anything made with this pattern without a license. Thank you! (P.S. Buy a Seller’s License or a tidy printable PDF version of this Cape Pattern in the shop.)
Materials:
- 1 yard (child sizes) OR 1 1/2 yards (adult size) fabric for the cape outer
- 1 yard (child sizes) OR 1 1/2 yards (adult size) fabric for the cape lining
- optional: felt for the hero applique
- optional: fusible web (or a glue stick!) to attach the applique
- matching thread
- hook and loop tape (1″ piece each)
- sewing gear – scissors/sewing machine/pins/ruler/iron etc.
Before you begin:
- Print the pattern piece pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is correct.
- Want to save paper?
- Size 3m-3 – Print only pages 1-7
- Size 4-8 – Print only pages 1-7
- Size 9-12 – Print only pages 1-9
- Adult size – Print all 11 pages
- Cut on each page’s outer gray lines and tape them together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles.
- Cut the pattern pieces out (with paper scissors!) along the line that corresponds to the size you would like to make.
Cut your fabric:
- Pre-wash your fabric before cutting to ensure it will not shrink in later washes.
- If you need a longer cape – here is a tutorial on how to lengthen the pattern pieces.
- Cut one cape shape per fabric colour using the pattern piece. * Be sure to place the pattern piece on the fabric fold before you cut it out!
Let’s Sew:
I recommend that you read through all instructions before sewing, so you don’t miss something important!
Step 1: Cut out the applique that will be on the back of the cape. Be creative! I used stars, hearts and letters to make each cape unique. Each logo was sized between 6″-9″ tall, depending on the size of the cape.
Halloween Sewing Tip #1:
If you are making a long-term project, make sure your layers have fusible web on the back. If you are sewing a one-night Halloween project, use a less-expensive approach! A regular school glue stick will adhere an applique while you sew around the edges.
Center the applique on the outer cape fabric piece approximately 3″-7″ down from the neck opening.
- Fusible web: Iron on the applique following the instructions on your fusible web. Use a press cloth if necessary so you do not melt the felt.
- Glue Stick: Attach the applique in place using the school glue stick, press with an iron on low heat from the back of the cape to set the glue if necessary.
Top-stitch the applique as you wish to tidy up the edges and make sure it stays on. I used the Blanket Stitch and Satin Stitch Foot F included with my on-loan Janome Skyline S9 to make the one of the appliques extra-nice!
Step 2: Lay the two cape pieces right sides together matching all of the edges. Pin. Mark a 6″ opening on the cape’s bottom edge by putting 2 pins in the same spot on each side. Leave this opening when you sew, it is where you will turn the cape right side out.
Stitch around the cape with a 1/4″ seam allowance, starting at one double-pin. Pivot around the corner on the neck opening. Finish at the other double-pin with a back-stitch.
Step 3: Clip the corners and trim around the curved edges of your neck opening to allow the cape to turn more easily. I use my pinking shears to trim tight curves.
Step 4: Press the seam allowance up on the bottom opening before turning the cape right side out. This creates an easy finished edge once the cape is turned.
Step 5: Turn the cape right side out and top-stitch. Push out your corners and edges neatly, press the cape flat and top-stitch 1/8″ or so away from the edge all the way around the edge of the cape. You can pin the opening shut before stitching or just wing it, the top-stitching will close the opening.
Step 6: Cut a 1″ piece each of hook and loop tape.
Use a zig-zag or straight stitch to sew the hook side of the tape onto the outer piece and the loop side of the tape onto the lining. This way the rough hooks are facing away from the neck when the cape is worn. Note: I like to cut off the corners of the tape when sewing for kids so they don’t get “stuck” with the pointy edges by accident. (* Don’t accidentally sew both hook and loop to the outer side of the cape, it won’t be able to close properly. Not sure why, but I have managed to do this more times than I would like to admit!)
Step 7: Sew a label or hero-worthy piece of ribbon onto the side of the cape.
Congratulations, give your cape a good press and you’re done!
I’d love to see your project! Please share your cape on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest using the hashtags #alongforthreadride and #threadridinghood. Thank you!
——————————————————————-
You can purchase a full Super Hero Cape PDF Pattern for any donation!
The 16 page instant PDF download of this tutorial includes these extras:
- The full tutorial and pattern pieces, in a tidy and easily printed form.
- Cutting layout diagram and glossary of terms.
- Granny’s Sewing Basket – highlights Notes and Tips to make sewing this cape easier. ()
- Extra tips not included in this free tutorial.
- Check boxes, for those of you who love to get a sense of accomplishment when checking off each step!
Aside from these great features, you can choose to purchase the PDF to support this blog and help Thread Riding Hood continue in its goal to create more free content. Thank you for your support!
SUPER HERO CAPE PRINTABLE PDF PATTERN: available for any donation!
——————————————————————-
Would you like to sew and sell the Super Hero Cape Pattern?
Please purchase a Seller’s License in my shop and receive an instant pdf download!
——————————————————————-
P.S. Here’s the original Super Hero Cape Photo from 2013. My daughter still comments on how cool it was to look like she was really flying! #photoshopforthewin
by Sherri Sylvester | Sep 18, 2017
Since “Feliz” translates into English as “Happy”, it is appropriate to make a Feliz dress using polka dots and yellow buttons! Even when I chose to make it from squidgy rayon that was almost impossible to cut straight… but that’s a different story…
StraightGrain provided the Feliz pdf blouse/dress pattern for this blog tour. My opinions are always my own. Thank you for reading!
This little lady of mine is SO FUN and hilarious on photo shoots! She is our joker and loves to make us laugh. She seems to have a knack for saying the funniest things. This translates well into a photo shoot and we generally end up laughing and coming up with great photos! It’s also fun to give her creative props and see what she does – like a yellow hard hat and drill, since they were originally the only yellow things I could find to use.
The Pattern:
Since being asked on the last StraightGrain blog tour, I was excited to sew another one of An’s patterns. (You can see my oldest’s unicorn Nova blouse here.) They are well put together, straightforward and have a TON of options. The Feliz can be made in a gathered or pleated blouse or dress length. Choose from sleeveless or dolman, short, wide/narrow flutter, 3/4 and bell sleeves – plus use a zipper or buttons to fasten the back! With the wide size range 3m-12y it’s a one-stop option that will last as the kids grow up.
Looking for the pattern? It is available in electronic and paper form and you can find it in the StraightGrain shop.
Sewing the Dress:
I chose to sew a 3/4 bell sleeve gathered dress for my youngest as a fall transition piece that will easily layer into winter. I figured the gathering on the skirt would match the gathered bell sleeve and love how it looks! The bell sleeves and button back are on-trend, and since navy is now the new black, she’s dressing better than I am, lol!
I chose a size 6 based on her measurements and increased the sleeve and shoulder area to a size 8. I do this on most patterns for my kids, since we all seem to have broad shoulders and large upper arms. I love the fit, it’s roomy enough to be comfortable and allow her to move without being baggy.
The sewing was straightforward. I love the clear illustrations and didn’t have any trouble sewing this dress up. (Yay!)
Changes: I did add a few extra buttons down the back since I had them in my stash AND (genius) I figured out how to sew buttons on with my sewing machine! Love the Janome Skyline S9 that I have on-loan right now. You can see a video of how it works on Instagram. (Plus photos of other projects in the works – it’s my main sharing space!)
Ooops:
The dress length is 1″ shorter than intended due to an unfortunate scissor accident…. on the late night after I cut out that squidgy rayon I was talking about earlier! I love how comfy and super soft rayon is… but cutting an obvious pattern out is nigh unto impossible unless you spend 3 hours straightening it impatiently doing it like I did… eeep!
Materials:
- Navy Polkadot Rayon (big box store)
- Yellow Buttons
- A bit of fusible interfacing under the buttons
Conclusion:
Love it! My favorite is that the number of options allows you to use the pattern over and over while making each project unique. Definitely recommend it!
Check out the other participants in the Nova tour:
Lily & Woody | Kaatjenaaisels | Yerasi | Flaflinko | Blanche | Liesellove | Bel’etoile | Petrol & Mint
Made By Sara | A Naais ID | sewpony | 128 | Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Noortjeprullemie
Thread Riding Hood | Clara stickar | Christinaa | Love You Sew | My Petite Sophie | With Love By Eva
Thanks for reading! See you again soon,
Sherri
