Halloween costume internal debate

MrsAmers

Heather REALLY wants to be Merida for Halloween. Some years she has been wishy-washy, and other years it is very clear what she wants. Given that I really like all of the reasons that she likes Merida and the kids play in costumes year round, I’m willing (but reluctant) to go the extra mile here.

All of the commercial costumes are “princess” Merida and not the everyday Merida dress. I’ve come up with two options.

1 – There is a Simplicity pattern for the dress she wants. My sewing skills are okay but not fabulous. It would suck up all of my extra time for the next few weeks. The materials and pattern might cost a little more than I was planning to spend on the dress, but not significantly.

2 – There is one on etsy for $125. It’s about $100 more than I was planning to spend on the dress. But it seems like a reasonable price for the results and it means I wouldn’t have to spend all of my free time sewing for the next few weeks.

Either way, we need to come up for a way for Heather to “earn” this. Helping around the house, NO asking for anything when we go out shopping, good behavior at school, etc.

WWYD? Or what do you think of my dilemma?

amyjoy18

Could you start with a green velvet Christmas type dress and modify it?  That would be easier than sewing it from scratch, and cheaper than buying off etsy.  Maybe something like this: 

http://compare.ebay.com/like/330482003882?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Luckystar2

I would not spend that much on a costume! I like the idea of starting with a velvet plain dress and modifying it. That sounds reasonable.

kris356

Is it this one that Sears has?

Also available at The Little Dress Up Shop.

Meghan&Rich

I like the idea of building off of a green velvet dress.  I also like the one that Kris posted; I don't think that one looks too princess-y.

If those aren't options and I absolutely couldn't find anything, then I would go with #2.  I wouldn't be happy about spending that much money on a costume, but for me it would be the lesser of two evils compared to stressing about and putting the time in to making one.

Then I would do a special Merida related rewards chart to work her way to earning the costume.

bride2003

I had no idea who she was (although I did see the movie).  I do love her too.  Did you see this at the disney store?

http://www.disneystore.com/costumes-costume-accessories-clothes-merida-costume-for-girls/mp/1333286/1000395/

 My option would be to enlist someone to make it!  For less than $125!!

AmandaJLewis

I think the one Kris posted is likely the route I would take. Granted I am totally a parent of a daughter quite different than H in that everything should sparkle, have ruffles, and be as fancy as possible. SO I see that dress as rather plain (for a princess) while still being made of rich looking fabrics.

AmandaJLewis

Oh, and I totally think you could simplify the Simplicity pattern to have less adornment and make it more like the simple ones from etsy, plus cut time out of the process for creating it.  Honestly, she will wear it a few times. Perhaps play in it a bit.  All of EJ's costumes I have made look great in photos but are nothing special when you get close and start to examine my craftsmanship. I used fleece in the Angelina costume so I didn't have to hem anything.  Oh and hot glue. It is my friend.

MrsAmers

The Sears dress is the right spirit but Heather knew right away that it was not Merida's dress. It actually has a lot more adornment than the one in question. And the Disney store one is WAY too shiny and too blue even if it does have a few details right.

When I made Heather's pink seahorse costume, Todd was an infant, so it would be easier now...right?!

Maybe I'll spend the next day or two looking for a viable green dress, and if I can't find one we'll go fabric shopping Friday night...

MrsAmers

One of Heather's good friends wants to be Merida, too, and her mom is going to make the dress. So it looks like I have someone to sew along with me and even help if I get in over my head!