| An Easy Pirate Costume For The Full-Figured Sea Lass |
Here I share with you how I made my Easy Pirate Lass Costume for Fall 2006
Blouse: I made it. I used Vogue 7969 in size 18, and about 4 yards of 36" wide natural muslin which I paid $0.50 per yard
for when it was on sale last year ( I bought a bolt for about $12.00). This pattern in still available and in print at the time I
write this. The pattern comes in sizes 6-18 misses. I normally wear a size 16W in a ready to wear top, but when sewing a 18
fits me just right. I basically paid $2.00 for the fabric + $3.99 for the pattern (on sale) + $2.00 for the spool of thread + $1.00
for the snaps + $3.00 for the rattail cord & elastic = $12.00 or there about for the blouse. QUITE a savings if you begin
shopping around looking for ready made blouses with this quality and with the stitching designs in place (normally $40+) I
have found these other pattern with the same style of top which come in larger sizes: Butterick 4876 (18W-32W), Butterick
4085 (16W-32W), and Simplicity 4177 (8-24). Just check when the patterns & the muslin go on sale, as well as the thread
and you will be set! Use your coupons if you get them! =0)
How I Made The Blouse:
I did not necessarily alter this pattern. I changed how it was made, and added some embellishments. First I decided that I
didn't want to make the front open, that I wanted a "pull over" style top. So I decided to cut the front section as normal,
but sew it up on the seam, rather than leave it open and create the extension/hook & loop closure as the pattern dictates.
I also decided when it came time to finish the neckline edge that rather than sewing the excess to create a top ruffle, instead
I would sew it so that I would lay flat and not have a standing ruffle. That just boils down to how you hem it. It's really
simple you just change the way it is hemmed, if you hem it the way the pattern says you will end up with the ruffle top
edge, if you hem it like a pocket for the elastic only, it will look like mine does. Just play with it until YOU decide which
you like best.
When I was sewing the front sections together I did leave the top neck opening open to a point, as the pattern is supposed
to have that neckline. I decided to do a decorative machine stich on the neck opening, and on the bottom hem. See these
pictures. These are standard decorative stitched that come with a Janome sewing machine like the one I own.
Blouse: I made it. I used Vogue 7969 in size 18, and about 4 yards of 36" wide natural muslin which I paid $0.50 per yard
for when it was on sale last year ( I bought a bolt for about $12.00). This pattern in still available and in print at the time I
write this. The pattern comes in sizes 6-18 misses. I normally wear a size 16W in a ready to wear top, but when sewing a 18
fits me just right. I basically paid $2.00 for the fabric + $3.99 for the pattern (on sale) + $2.00 for the spool of thread + $1.00
for the snaps + $3.00 for the rattail cord & elastic = $12.00 or there about for the blouse. QUITE a savings if you begin
shopping around looking for ready made blouses with this quality and with the stitching designs in place (normally $40+) I
have found these other pattern with the same style of top which come in larger sizes: Butterick 4876 (18W-32W), Butterick
4085 (16W-32W), and Simplicity 4177 (8-24). Just check when the patterns & the muslin go on sale, as well as the thread
and you will be set! Use your coupons if you get them! =0)
How I Made The Blouse:
I did not necessarily alter this pattern. I changed how it was made, and added some embellishments. First I decided that I
didn't want to make the front open, that I wanted a "pull over" style top. So I decided to cut the front section as normal,
but sew it up on the seam, rather than leave it open and create the extension/hook & loop closure as the pattern dictates.
I also decided when it came time to finish the neckline edge that rather than sewing the excess to create a top ruffle, instead
I would sew it so that I would lay flat and not have a standing ruffle. That just boils down to how you hem it. It's really
simple you just change the way it is hemmed, if you hem it the way the pattern says you will end up with the ruffle top
edge, if you hem it like a pocket for the elastic only, it will look like mine does. Just play with it until YOU decide which
you like best.
When I was sewing the front sections together I did leave the top neck opening open to a point, as the pattern is supposed
to have that neckline. I decided to do a decorative machine stich on the neck opening, and on the bottom hem. See these
pictures. These are standard decorative stitched that come with a Janome sewing machine like the one I own.
Without Cuffs
With Cuffs
The Finished Blouse (above):
All in all, it took me only about three days to sew up the blouse. VERY easy pattern.
Accessories for the costume:
A Pirate Hat $14.95 & Deluxe Plastic Pirate Sword $4.95 Pirates Store
Scarf: Victorian Trading Co. The scarf is no longer sold there, however- I got it a year or so ago on clearance sale. Try
Target, or other clothing stores because these long fringed scarves are very popular and have been for several years now, you
won't have a hard time finding one like it. Just make sure to try it on around your waist before purchasing it. Price was
aprox $19.95 at that time.
Gaucho Pants w/ Coin Belt: JC Penney, The pants are no longer available when I am writing this. I paid $17.99 for them.
Gaucho pants and the like are so popular right now, I am sure you can throw a rock and hit a pair. The cool thing about
this pair is, it came with a belt which had just covered the front of the waist, it attaches to the pants via lobster claw clasps
on either end. So that you can remove the belt for washing. I wanted the pants, and knew I would use the belt as a necklace
or head deocration instead- so two birds in one. Very cool.
Vest: Target This item does not show up on the web site any longer. I paid $16.99 for it at the time I ordered it. This vest is
a JUNIORS size, be advised. It is a size XL and will not close for me. But it does fit open. Just want you to know it is quite
small.
Boots: Target or Silhouettes These boots are mentioned on my plus sized boots page as well. Check out the picture above,
and read about them on my other page. I have not decided yet if I will wear my black boots, or my high heeled brown boots.
I will see that night how my feet feel! =0) The prices for the boots are: black $129.00 when I bought them, and brown
$34.99
If you total this costume project up, I spent $86.83 USD (if you do not include the price for the boots), if you have to buy
boots then total with boots is $121.82 USD if wearing the brown boots.
Now..off ye go to pillage for many candies and the hearts of many a sea dog captain..
All in all, it took me only about three days to sew up the blouse. VERY easy pattern.
Accessories for the costume:
A Pirate Hat $14.95 & Deluxe Plastic Pirate Sword $4.95 Pirates Store
Scarf: Victorian Trading Co. The scarf is no longer sold there, however- I got it a year or so ago on clearance sale. Try
Target, or other clothing stores because these long fringed scarves are very popular and have been for several years now, you
won't have a hard time finding one like it. Just make sure to try it on around your waist before purchasing it. Price was
aprox $19.95 at that time.
Gaucho Pants w/ Coin Belt: JC Penney, The pants are no longer available when I am writing this. I paid $17.99 for them.
Gaucho pants and the like are so popular right now, I am sure you can throw a rock and hit a pair. The cool thing about
this pair is, it came with a belt which had just covered the front of the waist, it attaches to the pants via lobster claw clasps
on either end. So that you can remove the belt for washing. I wanted the pants, and knew I would use the belt as a necklace
or head deocration instead- so two birds in one. Very cool.
Vest: Target This item does not show up on the web site any longer. I paid $16.99 for it at the time I ordered it. This vest is
a JUNIORS size, be advised. It is a size XL and will not close for me. But it does fit open. Just want you to know it is quite
small.
Boots: Target or Silhouettes These boots are mentioned on my plus sized boots page as well. Check out the picture above,
and read about them on my other page. I have not decided yet if I will wear my black boots, or my high heeled brown boots.
I will see that night how my feet feel! =0) The prices for the boots are: black $129.00 when I bought them, and brown
$34.99
If you total this costume project up, I spent $86.83 USD (if you do not include the price for the boots), if you have to buy
boots then total with boots is $121.82 USD if wearing the brown boots.
Now..off ye go to pillage for many candies and the hearts of many a sea dog captain..
Vogue 7969
Decorative machine stitches done on various places of the blouse
The very last thing I did to alter this blouse was, instead of making the cuffs permanently sewn onto the sleeves, I decided that
I would like to have the option of having cuffs or no cuffs so that I can wear this blouse with several different costumes in the
future. I added the elastic to the bottom of the sleeves and hemmed them off. I added elastic to the top of the cuffs and
hemmed them off. Then I attached snaps to the sleeve and the cuff so that I can slide the cuff over the sleeve end and snap
them in place (so that they do not fly off in cases of spontaneous merriment). See pic below.
I would like to have the option of having cuffs or no cuffs so that I can wear this blouse with several different costumes in the
future. I added the elastic to the bottom of the sleeves and hemmed them off. I added elastic to the top of the cuffs and
hemmed them off. Then I attached snaps to the sleeve and the cuff so that I can slide the cuff over the sleeve end and snap
them in place (so that they do not fly off in cases of spontaneous merriment). See pic below.