Pip Pip Hooray for Halloween!

Heather was a "genie" on Halloween last year.  Her inspiration for Halloween this year is one of her favorite storybook characters, Pippi Longstocking, created by Astrid Lindgren,  a native of Vimmerby of Kalmar county, part of a province called Smaland in Sweden.  Heather's grandparents from her father's side also live in a small town that is about a 40-minute car drive from Vimmerby. 

Heather and Pippi at a little store in Kosta Boda, Sweden, summer of 2009

Kosta Boda glassware site

Heather liked the outfit on this Madame Alexander's 2000 version of Pippi doll that she wanted me to make a similar one for her.  Here's Pippi and her friend Mr. Nilsson .

 


Pippi and Mr. Nilsson, red-y for trick or treating

"Pippi" and Mr. Nilsson enjoying the sunshine on a Halloween afternoon.

For Heather's tunic, I used a girls' tunic/dress pattern from Burda.  Here is a girls' tunic/dress and pants in sizes 2-8. I enlarged the pattern to approximately a girl's size "10". The directions are better than typical Burda (from the magazine) due to helpful diagrams and clearer directions  Both were simple to sew.

For Heather's jumper, I used an easy McCall's pattern.   The pattern seems to run a size or two larger.  The straps need to be adjusted to raise the bodice for modesty.  Since this jumper was to be made as part of a costume, I decided to not adjust the straps further.  But maybe due to my fabric choice (fleece), the jumper seemed to "stretch".

Favorite Features of Burda 9627 tunic/dress
My daughter liked the overall style with in particular keyhole/lace tie neckline, the flared sleeves and loose tunic/dress style. My only dislike I attribute to my mistake for using a woven instead of a knit. Heather's only dislike was not related to her costume: it was some classmates that thought she was dressed as the "Wendy's" girl or Raggedy Ann.  The few students and an faculty member that recognized her as Pippi either read the book or watched the movie.

Heather dressed as Pippi just before going to school, Halloween morning

Fabric Used:
Linen-type woven, which was not one of the recommended fabrics (sweatshirt fabrics, jersey).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
*Enlarged the pattern (additional seam allowance) to approximately a girl's size "10".

* Shortened the sleeve length

*Added a back zipper, so that my daughter can get her head through the neckline.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. For my daughter's next top or dress from this pattern, I will use a knit. I recommend this pattern due to its ease of construction which produces stylish basic coordinates for the young ladies. 

 Me, in Style Arc's "Franki" top and Heather as Pippi Longstocking, all "pipped" up for Halloween!

Conclusion:
My daughter plans to wear her Burda tunic/dress again after Halloween