Trick-Quoise Treat

After visiting several stores whose names end in "t" and a neighborhood Halloween costume shop (temporarily converted from a former Hollywood Video store), I was not satisfied with the costumes we saw (wobbly stitches, frayed seams, flimsy fabrics, not age-appropriate,...). They were already falling apart on the hanger before being purchased. Even my daughter's beloved Snow White costume that I sewed for her 5 years ago, survived a night of trick of treating when she was three years old (fairly large on her at that time), a Kindergarten costume parade, and a storybook character theme day months later. Still it is hanging in her closet as a precious keepsake.

Target rattled my nerves  with a commercial that wants people to trash their homemade costumes in favor of their mass-produced costumes, or what unoriginal and not necessarily high quality.

Article and YouTube video of mom with son and his DIY Iron Man costume.

So, despite what little time I have between then and Halloween, I wholeheartedly and willfully decided to sew my daughter's costume as in years past.  My daughter decided on being a genie for Halloween.  After showing her several current and out of print patterns (etsy, ebay), she preferred Simplicity 3626. My only reservation was the length of the bodice.

I was not fond of current genie costumes for Heather's age group.  It does not make sense for young ladies to show their tummies during trick or treating.

A Bratz genie costume.

A "Mystical Genie" costume that I saw at Amazon.com.

These are what we purchased two weeks ago at JoAnn's.  Heather chose the turquoise stretch velour fabric and gold sequined trim.  I found two Buttericks to update my wardrobe sometime soon, I hope.



One week prior to the above purchases, I was not able to find Simplicity 3626 genie costumes pattern at JoAnn's during its Simplicity 99 cents sale.  So I purchased this pattern at WalMarche a few days ago, for just under $9... 

Pattern Description:

Child's, Girls' and misses' genie costumes.

Pattern Sizing:


Child: 2, 3, and 4 only. Girls': 8, 10, 12 only

Misses': 10, 12, 14 and 16 only.

I sewed an "8" for my 7-year-old daughter.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not much. Instead, I created a less flamboyant, or rather conservative genie costume. Heather wore her "peace sign" scarf due to the slightly chilly evening and being slightly under the weather instead of her usual bubbly self.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

If you have sewn tops, pants, and so on, then they seemed straightforward. If I included the overlays for the top and the pants, then I would have to follow those directions more carefully, due to certain pivot points.



What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Overall, I liked the pattern much better when I omitted the organza overlays for the pants and the sleeves. Cutting the fabric pieces (upper bodice front, upper bodice back, lower bodice front, lower bodice back and their corresponding lining pieces in the same fabric, sleeves, shoulder straps, front and back yokes of pants with facings, and fronts and backs of pants) took one evening. During the next two consecutive days, I sewed the bodice, added the trim, and the pants. The pattern the way I sewed it came together fairly easy. Things to watch out for are the length of the shoulder straps and the puffiness of the sleeves (not as pictured).


If I had included the overlays, that would have been a different story. If you are pressed for time as I was, I would skip the overlays for the pants and the top. Knowing my limitations, it would seem as if I would be sewing two costumes at the same time.

Fabric Used:

Velour knit and Simplicity's sequined trim from JA's. Instead of lining fabric, I used the same fabric to self-line the bodice.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

* I used a lightweight velour knit instead of a woven.

* I lengthened the lower part of the bodice for modesty.

* Omitted the back zipper for the top and the size zipper for the pants since I used a knit. My daughter did not have difficulty slipping in or out of the outfit.

* Omitted the lower sleeve elastic and the lower pant elastic at the ankles. Heather preferred the sleeve "flounce" and the flared pants, which I think would have been more suited for a "70's" themed costume.

*Omitted the organza overlays due to time constraints.

* I shortened the length by 4", which should have been only 3".

* Took in the shoulder straps an additional 3".

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I might sew it again when the occasion arises. I would still recommend it to others. I see endless possibilities beyond the genie costumes!

Conclusion:

This is a still a satisfactory pattern. Despite feeling a little under the weather, Heather wore her costume to my parents' home and we were able to visit do a very brief trick or treat venture in their neighborhood.

Four years ago:

Heather, 3 years old  wearing her Snow White costume.  This is the first costume that I sewed for her.  I used a McCall's pattern.

 Three years ago:

Heather, 4 years old, as The Little Mermaid.  I used McCall's 5498.

Heather, 5 years old as a Fairy Princess

McCall's 5496

Heather as Wonder Girl last year.  I used McCall's 4113 and drafted an eagle from scratch.

Heather, ready for trick or treating again. in an outfit as comfortable as a pair of pj's.