Halloween Help Needed (Cinderella)

[Mandyland]

I know this is last minute.....But..... . I need some help with a childs Ciderella costume.  I bought a cheap plain Cinderlla costume.  I also had great visions of making it into something better. As time nears closer to Halloween. I still have the vision BUT no clue how to logically do it. Any ideas on how to add a bigger skirt, even one made of tulle. I got some sparkly stuff that she would love. Can anyone help my vision come to life??

[nicegirl512]

Are you trying to replace the skirt it came with?  Or add layers over it?  Or put a crinoline under it?


If you're replacing the skirt, you're in for a bit of work.  If you don't know how to sew, I don't recommend trying this.  Also, if the costume is made of cheap fabric taking it apart might cause it to shred and be ruined.  First, use the seam ripper to remove the zipper, and then the original skirt.  Make a tube out of your new fabric at least twice as big around as your daughter's waist, leaving the top open about four inches for the zipper.  Gather it by putting two rows of stitches on your machine's longest stitch length, not backtacking at the ends.  Pull on the top thread of both rows of stitching until the skirt fits the waist of the bodice.  Sew in place.  Then baste the skirt and bodice closed, again with large stitches, press open, and re-install the zipper. 


To add layers on top, an easy, pretty solution is to make a tube at least twice is big as your daughter's waist, this time sew the entire side seam (no need to leave an opening for a zipper).  Turn the top edge under 1/2 inch, and again 1/2 inch, press, and stitch.  Take a pretty ribbon at least 3/4 inch wide and sew the top edge about 1/4 inch from the top edge of the skirt, and then sew the bottom edge of the ribbon. Thread a thinner ribbon through it by putting a safety pin on the end of the thinner ribbon and pushing it through the casing.  Tie it around the waist with a pretty bow at the back.  Hem.  This might not work if the costume has the hip drapes of a typical cinderella costume, but you'll just have to look at it and see.


For an underskirt crinoline, use the same method as described above for adding a top layer, but instead of threading a ribbon for tying at the waist, use elastic.