A Bolero for Queen Elsa (Or, Princesses get cold too...)

Holiday season 2016, I got the opportunity to walk in a Christmas parade with some princesses and it was lots of fun. But before the parade, I knew that the Princesses would be cold. I know that Queen Elsa wouldn't mind it, since the cold doesn't bother her anyway, but I didn't want to leave her out of the fun.

Of course, a princess can't wear just any old coat. Oh, no. Not on my watch. Now, I only had time to make two, so our Alice of Wonderland fame had to make due with a borrowed cloak. But she was warm enough, so I didn't worry about her.

I was shopping at Ross Dress for Less in early December and found some super soft blankets in a few beautiful colors. Yes, the princesses were literally wearing blankets :-) This fact still makes me laugh a few years later. I love it.

Else wore a smart bolero in cream with embossed lines, cut as to not obscure her beautiful sequined bodice.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4f/df/81/4fdf810f7fee1d5078c83938d809317d--bolero-pattern-free-pattern.jpg

Original pattern (Very Cute)

And Queen Elsa's version (Simply Spectacular!) (Can you tell I LOVE how this came out?)

I found "Free Sewing Pattern: Faux Fur Bolero" on http://www.sewdaily.com/ and simply lengthened the sleeves. This took a little bit of trial and error. The first try, I drew a straight line the length that I wanted the sleeves (including a seam allowance). It worked, but I realized I needed to come in a little bit narrower at the wrist to be more flattering. The second try was much better.

As I pulled it out of storage this week to take these photos, I thought it needed a little something extra. Because let's face it, Elsa is a little extra. So, I found my bag of Elsa jewelry and inside was a single snowflake button from Hobby Lobby. I sewed it at the neckline, and then made a loop on the opposite side for a very simple closure.

It's so pretty and adds just the right finishing touch.

The blankets weren't the easiest fabrics to sew, and made QUITE a mess when I cut out the patterns. But in the end, I'm glad I persevered. I think the princesses looked beautiful!

Hope you enjoyed and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Comments

Bow-Tie Necklet

Are you, dear reader, in the mood for some winter accessories? Or, like me, are you already anxious for spring to arrive? The only good thing about winter is the cute accessories, I always say. I have a big canvas basket full of scarves, gloves, mittens, and hats. I have a black and also a purple peacoat. Plus my dramatic leopard print fleece cape, which I have previously discussed. Simply put, I don't like to be boring with my accessorizing. It is my only source of cheer and happiness when preparing for a cold winter's day. Ok, enough with the dramatics. On with the subject of today's blog. I knit this up several years ago. This is what the pattern calls a “Bow-Tie Necklet”. It is a scarf, but not in a traditional long rectangle shape. One end is pulled through a loop on the opposite side, forming a sort of bow tie. I have seen several examples in mid century photos of similar knit scarves that seem to have been made the same way. Of course, I forgot to save them/...

Disney's The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Blue Dress

Anyone who has spent more than 3 minutes with me knows I'm obsessed with Disney. My three favorite movies are Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin. So for Halloween 2011, I made a version of Ariel's blue dress. She wears during "Kiss the Girl" scene and when they are riding in the carriage around Eric's kingdom. . It was fairly easy to make. I used McCall's 4090 (View A), a simple skirt with a waistband. For the bodice/over corset, I used another McCall's, 4861 (view A). I didn't want side lacing, so I just traced each of the four pieces separately, then taped them together at the sides, overlapping the seam allowance. This left me with the back lacing only. When it was assembled, I roughly "eye-balled" the sweetheart-shaped neckline and cut it out. The shirt was made with Simplicity 3677. I just added cuffs to the sleeves instead of elastic. A couple things I lea...

Reconstructing History RH017

This is review of RH017, 14th Century Kirtle or Cotehardie. (Link to buy this patten at the end) I ordered it to make a new dress for the 2015 Medieval Fair of Norman. I had been playing a princess for many years, but decided on changing it up this year. I wanted to be a Bard, a poet/singer/general performer. Naturally, I could not wear the Princess gowns of years past. It came in a timely fashion. I knew it had a booklet of historical notes, I didn't know it was going to come with a textbook! Seriously, this booklet is 15 pages long (including historical notes, bibliography, actual construction, and a section on period stiches) and is in an easy to digest format. The pattern is on regular paper, not the usual tissue paper, which I appreciated. I had trouble with setting the sleeves, but it was my own fault. I made it oversized purposefully to adjust down to my exact size, and didn't quite adjust the sleeves to match correctly the first time. My own fault. I will pos...

The Singing Costumer

Search This Blog