So my oldest says to me the other day… “Mom, this costume is perfect for us! Daddy likes Star Wars, I like Princesses and you like sewing.” She couldn’t be more right!
My husband is helping my daughter discover the world of Star Wars, with an appropriate amount of editing of course! This new found knowledge, along with my not letting them be Disney Princesses again this year, led her to Princess Leia. I hope you don’t think I’m too hard-hearted, but the commercialization of the whole Disney Princess thing can be a bit crazy. I also appreciate not re-creating another puff-sleeved ball gown every year! Trust me, they get their fill of playing princess at home – we’ve got an entire dress-up box of princess dresses that get used almost every day. Of course, now that Star Wars has been bought by Disney, I am redeemed – since Leia is a Disney Princess too!
This costume was relatively easy to make. It’s made from white knit fabric and a very sparkly silver belt. She even wore her rain boots for the second year in a row – perfect!
I used the tried and true Bimaa pattern. Though, in fairness, this has very little resemblance to the original pattern. I lengthened and widened the bodice, added a gathered skirt and cut straight , instead of tapered, sleeves. The hood was also lengthened, and I didn’t line it – because, it’s a Halloween costume and I ran out of white knit anyhow.
We attempted to make sock buns in her hair. Which (spoiler alert) looks super easy on YouTube – and I’m sure it is if you have done it 100 times. I’ve only made it to about 26 times so far – then we ran out of patience and attempted to wing it. Thankfully that lasted long enough for the photos!
When it came time for the photo shoot we had a small altercation over the use of props… since it seems that all she has available as a “true to the movies” prop is a blaster. Which led to a parental “Should we allow her to have a gun?” conversation. I’m sure I’ve got some of you on both sides of the argument… but since we had very little time to decide, (the sun and the rain were going down!) we decided we would skip the blaster for now. Her school won’t allow weapons when they wear their costumes on Friday anyhow, so that made the decision a bit easier.
I’m so excited about how it turned out. It definitely wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny from a hard-core Star Wars fan, since it’s in no way authentic – but it’s good enough for one night’s trick-or-treating! I’m excited to show you my youngest’s this week as well – and hint, she’s going to be something related to my blog name! Though, you may have already gotten a hint on Instagram. See you again soon!
Are you making or buying your Halloween costumes this year?
That look on her face in the first picture! Great! 🙂 She is playing her character well ;). Halloween isn’t realy big here (yet). But last saturday we had a Halloween quest in our village. My daughter and husband did go to the quest. I didn’t make her a new costume, but recycled some old parts. With a pointed had and a Red Ridinghood cape I’ve made before (http://dekawear.blogspot.com/2013/05/zeg-roodkapje.html [blogpost is in Dutch only]) and some green makeup on her face she turned into a little witch 😉
Thanks Mirjam 🙂 Your cape is super cute! I bet she looked awesome 🙂 Recycling is the best and so much simpler than sewing one from scratch!
She looks great. one down, one to go. Hope you have fun!
Thanks mom 🙂 She’s pretty excited about it!
Hi Sherri,
Congratulations on your anniversary 😉 Enjoy your special day with each other.
Love the costume! Let’s hope Mother Nature is in a good mood for Hallowe’en fun. Have a great day.
Thanks so much Ann! I hope the weather cooperates as well. At least we have umbrellas!
It turned out great! She looks awesome! I hope the weather co-operates this year 🙂
Thanks so much Laura 🙂 I’m crossing my fingers about the weather – maybe it will snow instead of rain?!
So cute! I so wanted to be Princess Leia when I was little. I had to wait until I was older though. I didn’t look nearly as cute as your little Princess though.
We’re making costumes this year too(video game characters, nothing pretty~sigh~ I have boys!). It’s a lot of work for on evening. However, seeing their eyes light up when they’re dressed up, it all seems worth it doesn’t it.
Awwww…. Nice Lysa! Thank you 🙂 It’s so true – every year I think I should just get them to use whatever is in the dress-up box… but that’s not as rewarding!
This is perfect!! I love it!! 🙂
Thanks so much Janette 🙂
Very true to character costume… even without the blaster! Have you seen the pics of the Dad that backed up his daughter (who wanted to be Hans Solo) by dressing as Princess Leia? Too cute!
Thanks Jenn, the photos are so cute! My husband has an Obiwan costume from a few years ago – but apparently they don’t match because they don’t fit together on the movie timeline?! Anyhow – the gender swap thing is fun with their photos too. 🙂
I love it Sherri!!! And I love that she wanted to be Leia!!
Thanks Leanne! I love that it’s not so traditional 🙂
This is the coolest Bimaa of them all! My husband and I are Star Wars fans, and we keep on wondering if it is a right time to start introducing our 4 y.o. to it… Looks like it is 😉
Hooray! I’m so glad you like it Jenya! We’ve had lots of fun trying to explain the ins and outs of “the Force” and how Luke and Leia could be related… it’s fun that she love it!
Your costume is awesome, and your daughter’s eyes are amazing!
Thanks for linking this one up to my party:)
Thanks so much for hosting it Michelle! 🙂