Costumes

Here is one of my favorite spots in my home: My Sewing Spot! I have had so much fun researching and constructing costumes for my two sons. There is a vast amount of information on the web for period, reenactment, or character costume construction. While on my book hunts I have kept my eyes open for costume books. A few that I have found and treasure are:

The Bankside Costume Book for Children
written and illustrated by Melicent Stone

Fashion in History: Apparel in the Western World
by Marybelle S. Bigelow

Folk Costume of Western Europe
by Lilla M. Fox

TheCostume Book for Parties and Plays
by Joseph Leeming

TheCostume in Context series
by Jennifer Ruby

Costumes for Children
by Barbara Snook

Simple Stage Costumes and how to make them
by Sheila Jackson

Costumes to Make by Peggy Parish
illustrated by Lynn Sweat

Fancy Dress From Nursery Tales
by Jean Greehowe

Making Children's Costumes
by Priscilla Lobley

Last year our boys were involved in a Baroque piano recital. I made costumes for them using McCall's Pattern 8701. We ordered powdered-type wigs for them from a great online store: Liberty Bell Museum

Later in the year, the boys expressed a desire for LOTR costumes. Most of my online research for the LOTR costumes came from AlleyCatSratch

I found most of the items to make Chris's Pippin costume at our local Salvation Army. A pair of children's pants were hemmed up for the knickers, and a woman's suit jacket was reworked for the jacket. I found some awesome buttons in my vintage button collection. We used a pair knee-high panty hose and some black faux-fur for the Hobbit feet. I found a man's sweater at the Salvation army that resembled the scarf knit pattern Pippin wore in The Fellowship of the Ring. By cutting the sweater from the bottom up and around the shoulder to the bottom back I made a scarf for Pippin. I made my own fringe with similar yarn and attached it to the scarf.

I found it more difficult to find the correct fabric for the capes. After searching through Jo-Ann Fabric and Hobby Lobby,and Walmart, I found some gray fabric on the discount counter at Walmart. I used the "Fellowship Cloak Pattern" from the AlleyCatSratch web site. It went together wonderfully.

Matt's Legolas costume was constructed by using the Simplicity 4942 pattern for the over-shirt and discounted fabric from Jo-Ann Fabric. I cut the black leather pieces for the gauntlets from a woman's skirts I found at the Salvation Army. Black sweat pants were used for the leggings. The belt, quiver holder, and silver shirting material, came from the Salvation Army. Since we didn't come across the correct bow and arrow for the costume, my son found a nice stick and whittled his own bow. He strung it with fishing line. I was amazed that it actually worked! He didn't put too much time into this bow, but since it worked, he intends to try to make one again and put forth more effort next time.

Recently, Matt has expressed an interest in the performing arts. He is taking a class at our local Christian Youth Theatre organization. He has much to learn, but has a nice singing voice. We will see.... I may have opportunities to make more costumes for them in the future.