It's Halloween Time! Ch-Ch-Ch...

CHIA!

When I was a kid, I loved Halloween.  As an adult, I'm not a huge fan of it.   But I do like dressing up my dogs in ridiculous costumes every year.  This year is the best by far.  I would like to introduce you to the newest knick-knack to adorn my bookshelf:

Ch-Ch-Ch-CHIA PEARL! *

It's like playing "Where's Waldo?"

Here's how I started:

A long time ago I drafted a onesie pattern from an existing dog outfit.  I made onesies before here and here. I redrafted the pattern this time, making it a little more professional.  My sewing has greatly improved since the last time I made Pearl's onesie so the construction method changed.  It went together fairly quickly and the fit is a lot better than before.

Here she is before her pjs became Chia-fied....

Pre-haircut...

 I then took apart fake hydrangeas I bought at Michaels and glued the individual buds to the base.  This process too two nights.  I used a stuffed animal roughly the size of Pearl to make it easier to glue the flowers. The glue and the flowers formed a hard shell.  I was not expecting this, but the outfit still fits the dog.

 I  couldn't resist placing her on the bedside table. She looks just like the real deal.  I wish I had video of her scurrying around on the floor as a chia pet.  It's almost eerie because at first glance it looks like  ceramic dog

And lastly, a close-up of Pearl.  I couldn't resist.  Her face is so cute in this picture.

I'm entering Pearl in the Pattern Review contest again this year.  Vote for her!

*Coming to a Walmart near you.

Pattern Review Costume Contest!

Hi Everyone!  I entered Fritzy in the PR costume contest this year!  He's the little leopard dog!  Vote for him if you are a member of PR!  You can vote here!

Thanks!



Coat Update:


My purple coat (M5525) is almost done!  I'm hand sewing in the should pads right now and then I have to insert the lining (which is already sewn).  Once the lining is in, its hand sewing the hem, making buttonholes and sewing on buttons.  I still haven't found the right buttons.  I  hope I do soon!

Welcome to the Jungle...

Remember the Halloween costume I made for Pearl last year?

Well, this year for the Pattern Review Costume Contest, I made little Fritz a LEOPARD OUTFIT!

 In "captivity."

In the "wild."

On the prowl.

Scavenging for food?

Lions and Leopards and...

 Roxy...oh my!...

Pearl got second place last year, this year Fritz should take 1st!  Vote for our cute little leopard dog cat thing.  

The pattern Review:

Pattern Description: 

Dog costumes in 3 sizes: Elvis, Bumblebee, Cow, Lion
Pattern Sizing:

S - M- L . I started with a small and shrunk it down to 60% on a xerox. Because I made the pattern before, I increased the size of the pattern by slashing and spreading (which worked, to an extent).
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

More or less. After I shrunk it down, and the graded the pattern up a bit, it ended up still being too small. I made this version a shirt as well and did not include the tail. I decided the problem with the fit was in the back legs. Maybe it was in reducing the pattern on the copier that did it, but the back legs are drafted poorly. There needed to be even more ease between the my dog's rear and his leg.
Were the instructions easy to follow?

I did not use them, but they seemed okay.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I think the pattern is cute, but not drafted well. I thought it was me the first time around, but I am more experienced now and I think it is the pattern. I wish the pattern companies made patterns for tiny dogs :)
Fabric Used:

Leopard print polar fleece from the swapmeet.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I shrunk the pattern down to 60% of the original and added back 1/2" seam allowances. I then slashed and spread and added an inch to the circumference about an inch to the length and split the legs open a bit for some more room. It still didn't fit in the back so I made it a shirt instead of a jumper.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Nope! I think I'll just use my self drafted dog pj pattern the next time I make a doggie onesie. I'll probably use the hood pattern piece and the ears again though.
Conclusion: 

Try something else if you have little dogs. It may work for larger breeds. 

Vote for Pearl!

It's Election Day and its time for you to go to the polls at Pattern Review to vote for your favorite puppy in Blogland, Pearl.

Voting starts today and ends Novemeber 11th!

Oh, don't forget to vote in your state elections too :)

There's no place like home....

Last year I was determined to make my Halloween costume.  I have always wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, but found RTW costumes either very frumpy or overly slutty.  I wanted to be tastefully naughty :)  I'm still young, and it is Halloween after all.

So here I am in my costume:

It was a first for working with slippery fabrics, lining, grommets, and using boning.  I used the crappy Joann's boning, something I will never do again.  I think it turned out pretty well for a crappy Halloween costume.  The shirt is RTW and the shoes are kid's shoes from Target.  I have tiny feet :)  

The silly thigh-highs were so ridiculously expensive from one of those seasonal Halloween Headquarters stores.  I liked the cute blue bows though.  

I also made the Boyfriend a costume.  He went as an octopus.  I actually like this picture of him, but he doesn't.  That's why is face is blocked out.  

Here's the PR for my Dorothy costume:

Pattern Description: 

Misses' wizard of oz costumes - Dorothy, scarecrow, Glinda and the wicked witch costume patterns. I made the Dorothy pattern.

Pattern Sizing:

8-16. I made an 8 in the corset/vest and a 10 in the skirt.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

For the most part.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

For my first corset and first lined vest and skirt, yes. They were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

The pattern was drafted okay. Not great. Because it was a costume, it did not go into the correct way to insert the boning. I didn't care because the costume was worn once. I hate the plastic boning with channels. It was a pain in the butt.

Fabric Used:

A shiny poly gingham from Joanns and rayon lining fabric.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I had to let out the skirt a bit for comfort. Maybe should have made a 12. I also serged the bottom hem for ease. I made it over a year ago so I can't remember all the changes. Nothing drastic though.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

No. I would recommend using other patterns to achieve the same look.

Conclusion: 

The costume was fun. I was happy with it when I made it for last Halloween and maybe I'll wear it again.

And don't forget to vote for Pearl for the PR costume contest starting in November.  I'll remind you all and send a link when the voting starts :)  

Grrr! Roarr! Simplicity 2839

Happy Halloween (almost)!  I finished Pearl's Halloween costume about a week ago and finally got around to taking pictures! Here she is:

Isn't she the most ferocious lion you have ever seen!?  

More pictures!  

The lion has spotted her prey...

And if Pearl isn't a good enough model, here is Fritz!

 Did you know lions climbed trees?

The back hem detail:

I'm entering this costume into the Pattern Review contest so please vote for me :)


Here is the Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: 

Dog costumes in 3 sizes: Elvis, Bumblebee, Cow, Lion

Pattern Sizing:

S - M- L . I started with a small and shrunk it down to 60% on a xerox.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
More or less. After I shrunk it down, it ended up being a smidge too small so I lopped of the back legs and made it a shirt. I also omitted the tail because my dog's tail is cuter. :)

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Their small is not really small. It will fit a fat chihuahua or a larger pug. Not my 4.5lb yorkies.

Fabric Used:

Golden polar fleece remnant from Joann's and brown faux fur.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I shrunk the pattern down to 60% of the original and added back 1/2" seam allowances. It didn't quite fit so I made it a shirt instead of a jumper. I also lined the hood with polar fleece to make it more comfy for the dogs. The fur was really scratchy on the underside. I used the same pattern pieces to make the lining, just did not attach ears to the lining. I serged the entire outfit and used a twin needle for all the hems. I omitted the tail. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? 

I would like to make it a bit bigger for next Halloween, maybe in the cow print for my dogs. Or make another one for my mom's yorkie. Both dogs hate hoods though. 

Conclusion: 

Sizing was a little weird, but the pattern is cute!

Pearl's pouty face.  (She's begging for a vote!)