It's that time of year again when mother's are called upon to make Halloween costumes. I've made several in my time and this year was no exception. What was I sewing this year? A clown costume; I've never made a clown costume for an adult before.
I started by using a pattern for scrubs because I figured it should be comfortable and I didn't want to spent a lot of money for a new pattern and I dislike costumes that are uncomfortable to wear. The pattern was modified by adding long sleeves with a ruffle at the bottom. The pant legs were flared a bit also. Then two rows of narrow 1/4" satin ribbon were stitched to the bottom of the sleeves and the pant leg. A large ruffle with more ribbon at the edge was added at the neck.
He wanted pom-poms down the front and on the hat and I was surprised that I still had the cardboard circles I used many many years ago to make pom poms for the toes of my ice skates. Did you do that? Now that dates me doesn't it? But, I digress. I made two sizes of pom poms for the costume.
The hard part was the hat: a combo pointy hat with a ruffly sailor hat brim. After making a paper pattern I transferred it to
Peltex. The key to the hat is the curve not the point. Once I had that curve the brim was easy to draft. It was all stitched together with a very wide zigzag.
I love this kind of sewing. Since it is a costume you don't have to be too precise. I don't make hems, I just edge finish with my serger. Glue works where one would normally sew on embellishments. After all, this is usually a one time garment.
I've made you wait long enough. Here's the result:
