Dress Up!: Sew 25+ T-Shirt Costumes for Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls, and More

Adorable Costumes Made Sew Easy

LINDA SCHMIDT grew up in Michigan, where she learned to sew, knit, and craft from her mother and grandmother. While working by day as a graphic designer and illustrator, she spent her spare time sewing clothes for herself, projects for the home, and endless costumes for her daughter (now a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren Polo).

Linda creates technical illustrations for knitting, sewing, and quilting books; teaches; and sells her own patterns on Ravelry (LOLfibernut) and Etsy (etsy.com/shop/ROFLhatfactory). She and her husband live in North Carolina.

Get Creative 6

DRESS UP! COVER_FINALREV.indd 1

$17.95 US • $24.50 CAN ISBN: 978-1-64021-047-9

Get Creative 6

COVER DESIGN BY DIANE LAMPHRON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK DEUTSCH

Dress Up! 5+

Sew 2 T-Shirt Costumes

For Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls & More

LINDA SCH MIDT

EVERY LITTLE GIRL LOVES TO PLAY DRESS-UP. For Halloween or just for fun throughout the year, slipping into a costume fires up the imagination and inspires hours of creative play. Dress Up! makes it quick and easy for busy parents and grandparents to craft special costumes that will be worn over and over again. Using a purchased T-shirt for each costume eliminates complicated sewing techniques and creates costumes that are comfy enough for active kiddos to be themselves.

Choosing which one to make first will be the hardest part!

DRESS UP! SEW 25+ T-SHIRT COSTUMES

CRAFTS • SEWING

spine: 8.75 mm

$17.95 US • $24.50 CAN

Dress Up! Sew 25+ T-Shirt Costumes For Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls & More Would you love to make costumes for that special little girl in your life but feel like you don’t have enough time or sewing expertise? Linda Schmidt has simplified the process with projects that begin with a purchased T-shirt.

This all-in-one resource includes: • An overview of necessary sewing techniques and supplies • Pattern-free projects with clear, easy-to-follow instructions • A wide variety of costumes: cuddly critters, popular characters, classic types, and more • Sizes from 2 to 8 that will keep you stitching through the years • Easy-to-use templates Making dreams come true has never been so easy or so much fun!

L I N DA S C H M I D T 4/10/19 5:33 PM

Dress Up!

Sew 25+ T-Shirt Costumes For Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls & More

Get Creative 6

001-005_FM_DRESS UP.FINAL.indd 1

LINDA SCHMIDT

4/10/19 4:00 PM

To my daughter, Monica Kay.

May you experience the multitude of love that returns when you share your talents with others.

Get Creative 6 An imprint of Mixed Media Resources 104 West 27th Street New York, NY 10001 Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/getcreative6 SENIOR EDITOR

VICE PRESIDENT

MICHELLE BREDESON

TRISHA MALCOLM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DIANE LAMPHRON

CAROLINE KILMER

PAGE LAYOUT

PRESIDENT

ARETA BUK

ART JOINNIDES

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CHAIRMAN

JACOB SEIFERT

JAY STEIN

PROJECT COORDINATOR

ANAIS VILLA PHOTOGRAPHER

JACK DEUTSCH ILLUSTRATIONS

LINDA SCHMIDT PRODUCTION

J. ARTHUR MEDIA Copyright © 2019 by Linda Schmidt All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any mean—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systems—without permission of the publisher.

The designs in this book are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced in any form for commercial use.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Schmidt, Linda, author.

Title: Dress up! : sew 25+ T-shirt costumes for little superheroes, princesses, unicorns, cowgirls, and more / by Linda Schmidt.

Description: First edition. | New York : Get Creative 6, 2019. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019002428 | ISBN 9781640210479 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Children's costumes. | Sewing.

Classification: LCC TT633 .S3154 2019 | DDC 646.4/06--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019002428

Manufactured in China 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

C AT´S MEOW ( PAGE 70 )

First Edition

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Growing up in Michigan, Linda Schmidt learned to sew, knit, and craft from her mother and grandmother. While working by day as a graphic designer and illustrator, she spent her spare time sewing clothes for herself, projects for the home, and endless costumes for her daughter (now a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren Polo). She now creates technical illustrations for knitting, sewing, and quilting books; teaches; and sells her own patterns on Ravelry (LOLfibernut) and Etsy (etsy.com/shop/ROFLhatfactory). She and her husband live in North Carolina.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I praise God for the many miracles and people he has placed along my path. Thank you, Lord, for giving me parents and grandparents who saw their creative abilities as just a way of life. Through them, you inspired and instilled this creative passion that will be passed on and shared for your glory.

Thank you to my husband for his constant encouragement and indifference to multiple trips to the fabric store.

I’d like to thank Trisha Malcolm for trusting my talents to her idea and giving me this opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. I am very thankful to my editor, Michelle Bredeson, for guiding me on this journey. Amidst the fabric calamities, your calm professionalism kept my sanity and humor in intact.

Being in the graphics field, I know exactly what goes into the production of a book. I most emphatically say thank you to Diane Lamphron, Jack Deutsch, Areta Buk, Anais Villa, everyone on the team for doing the hardest parts of all. I sincerely appreciate all the work you have done to produce something lasting and beautiful.

And to the little girls who modeled the costumes, you brought the true beauty to these dresses. Thank you for bringing back my treasured memories of spending time creating with my daughter.

THAT ´70S GIRL ( PAGE 56) 3

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Contents Introduction 5 T-Shirt Costumes 101 6 THE PROJECTS Royal Treatment 12 Miss Mouse 16 Tiny Dancer 20 Color Me Cute 24 Under the Sea 28 Little Red 33 Fairy Tale 38 One of a Kind 42 Celebrate! 48 Wild West 52 That ´70s Girl 56 Walk Like an Egyptian 60 Ahoy, Mateys! 66 Cat´s Meow 70 Lil´ Pumpkin 74 Rock Around the Clock 78 Over the Rainbow 82 Spellbound 86 Sweet Angelica 91 Busy Bee 96 Glamour Girl 102 Night Flyer! 106 Good Cheer 110 Snow and Ice 114 Girl Power! 118 Knight Warrior 123

Templates 128 Measurement Conversion Chart 134 Index 135

COLOR ME CUTE! ( PAGE 24 ) 000

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Introduction My parents and grandparents were fearless and perpetual makers of everything. In my youth, I grumbled when every fashion trend I begged for was met with, "We can't afford it, but we can make it." Their creative abilities taught me problem solving, perseverance, craftsmanship, and an appreciation for the talents we are all blessed to bless others with.

As a working mom, I didn't have time to make all the latest fashion trends for my daughter. But there were many special occasions, theatrical performances, and, of course, Halloween parties that required sewing something fabulous. Being the product of two artistic parents, my daughter's design requests were packed with imagination and detail. Much of her inspiration is reflected in this book.

When sewing for children, time, not imagination, seems to always be the concern. Starting with a T-shirt foundation is a major time-saver. The costumes in this book can be completed in a varied amount of time. Once you've gathered the materials, some can be easily created in a few hours and others a couple of days.

The T-shirt dress is the perfect approach for achieving the hardest issue of fit. There will be no wiggles or whines because her ball gown can actually fit as comfortably as her favorite T-shirt.

Sewing buttonholes, zippers, or set-in sleeves can seem scary to some. But, fear not, none of these skills are needed. Just slip on the dress and dance.

I hope you and your little girl share the joy of choosing the materials and accessories. Then watch her eyes sparkle in excitement as you make her dress-up dreams come true.

SWEET ANGELIC A ( PAGE 91) 000

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You won’t mind having this cute CRITTER around the HOUSE.

Miss Mouse 16

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066-069_Pirate.FINAL.indd 67

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BLING is the word with a metallic collar and HEADBAND encrusted with gems.

Walk Like an Egyptian 000

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It’s a beautiful tale of SEQUINS and sparkly TULLE.

Under the Sea 000

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With her SHERIFF’S badge, she’ll CLEAN UP the town and her toys.

Wild West

000

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In this FIERCE costume, she can save HERSELF from any dangers.

Little Red

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One of a Kind

A HORN, ears, hooves, a mane, and a TAIL— you can never have too many ACCESSORIES.

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COLORING outside the lines is definitely ALLOWED in this adorable costume.

Color Me Cute

000

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JAM ext blee bot

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If you don’t have PIXIE DUST, fill the satchel with CANDY.

Fairy Tale 000

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Everyone will be BUZZING about this sweet little BUG.

Busy Bee

000

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JAM

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Be COOL and chill out in this GROOVY outfit.

That ’70s Girl

000

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Cat’s Meow

This ADORABLE costume is just PURRFECT!

000

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Over the Rainbow

She’ll skip down the YELLOW brick road in this pretty PINAFORE.

000

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086-090_Witch.FINAL.indd 87

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HALLOWEEN is coming.

Are you READY?

Knight Warrior

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Index A Ahoy, Mateys! (project) 66–69 angel (project) 91–95

B backstitch 8 ballerina (project) 20–23 basting 8 bat 106–109 bee (project) 96–101 belts, fabric 11 birthday cake (project) 48–51 Busy Bee (project) 96–101

fabric-marking pen 7 fairy (project) 38–41 Fairy Tale (project) 38–41 flat trim 11 French seam 9 G gathering 10–11 general-purpose foot 7 Girl Power! (project) 118–122 Glamour Girl (project) 102–105 Good Cheer (project) 110–113

H

C Cat’s Meow (project) 70–73 Celebrate! (project) 48–51 chalk, dressmaker’s 7, 8 cheerleader (project) 110–113 clean-finishing seam allowances 10 clipping seam allowances 10 Color Me Cute (project) 24–27 corners, turning 10 cowgirl (project) 52–55 crayon (project) 24–27

D

hair ties 11 hippie (project) 56–59

J jack-o’-lantern (project) 74–77

K Knight Warrior (project) 123–127 knit fabrics 9

L

dressmaker’s chalk 7, 8

Lil’ Pumpkin (project) 74–77 Little Red (project) 33–37

E

M

edgestitch 8 Egyptian (project) 60–65 embroidery foot 7

measurement chart 6 mermaid (project) 28–32 Miss Mouse (project) 16–19

F

N

fabric 6, 9 choosing 6 cutting 6 CELEBRATE! (PAGE 48)

narrow-hemming 10 narrow-rolled hem foot 7 needles 7 hand-sewing 7, 8 sewing machine 7 Night Flyer! (project) 106–109 notching seam allowances 10 notions 8

O One of a Kind (project) 42–47 Over the Rainbow (project) 82–85

P

knit 9 sheer 9

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pen, fabric-marking 7 pinked seam finish 10 pins, straight 8 pirate (project) 66–69 pixie (project) 38–41 poodle skirt (project) 78–81 presser feet 7

BUSY BEE (PAGE 96)

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Index (cont.) pressing 9 princesses (projects) 12–15, 114–117

R Rock Around the Clock (project) 78–81 Royal Treatment (project) 12–15 ruffles 11 ruler, transparent 8

S seam allowances 10 seam finishes 10 overlock 10 pinked 10 zigzag 10 seam ripper 7, 8 sewing, basic techniques 9 sewing machines 7 sheer fabrics 9 sheriff (project) 52–55 sizing guidelines 6 skirt 6 T-shirt 6 Snow and Ice (project) 114–117 Spellbound (project) 86–90 staystitching 8 stitches 8 backstitch 8 basting 8 edgestitch 8 staystitching 8 topstitch 8 zigzag 8 stitching woven skirts to knit tops 9 straight pins 8 superheroes (projects) 106–109, 118–122 Sweet Angelica (project) 91–95

tools and supplies 7 basic kit 7 dressmaker’s chalk 8 dressmaker’s shears 8 needles (for hand-sewing) 7, 8 needles (for sewing machines) 7 presser feet 7 ruler 8 seam ripper 8 sewing machine 7 straight pins 8 topstitch 8 trim 11 applying 11 flat 11 trimming seam allowances 10

U Under the Sea (project) 28–32 unicorn (project) 42–47

W Walk Like an Egyptian (project) 60–65 Wild West (project) 52–55 witch (project) 86–90

Z zigzag seam finish 10 zigzag stitch 8–9 zipper foot 7

T

LITTLE RED (PAGE 33)

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T-shirts 6 choosing 6 cutting 6 tape measure 7, 8 templates 11, 128–134 That ‘70s Girl (project) 56–59 thread 8 tiger cub (project) 70–73 Tiny Dancer (project) 20–23

ONE OF A KIND (PAGE 42)

4/10/19 4:18 PM

Adorable Costumes Made Sew Easy

LINDA SCHMIDT grew up in Michigan, where she learned to sew, knit, and craft from her mother and grandmother. While working by day as a graphic designer and illustrator, she spent her spare time sewing clothes for herself, projects for the home, and endless costumes for her daughter (now a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren Polo).

Linda creates technical illustrations for knitting, sewing, and quilting books; teaches; and sells her own patterns on Ravelry (LOLfibernut) and Etsy (etsy.com/shop/ROFLhatfactory). She and her husband live in North Carolina.

Get Creative 6

DRESS UP! COVER_FINALREV.indd 1

$17.95 US • $24.50 CAN ISBN: 978-1-64021-047-9

Get Creative 6

COVER DESIGN BY DIANE LAMPHRON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK DEUTSCH

Dress Up! 5+

Sew 2 T-Shirt Costumes

For Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls & More

LINDA SCH MIDT

EVERY LITTLE GIRL LOVES TO PLAY DRESS-UP. For Halloween or just for fun throughout the year, slipping into a costume fires up the imagination and inspires hours of creative play. Dress Up! makes it quick and easy for busy parents and grandparents to craft special costumes that will be worn over and over again. Using a purchased T-shirt for each costume eliminates complicated sewing techniques and creates costumes that are comfy enough for active kiddos to be themselves.

Choosing which one to make first will be the hardest part!

DRESS UP! SEW 25+ T-SHIRT COSTUMES

CRAFTS • SEWING

spine: 8.75 mm

$17.95 US • $24.50 CAN

Dress Up! Sew 25+ T-Shirt Costumes For Little Superheroes, Princesses, Unicorns, Cowgirls & More Would you love to make costumes for that special little girl in your life but feel like you don’t have enough time or sewing expertise? Linda Schmidt has simplified the process with projects that begin with a purchased T-shirt.

This all-in-one resource includes: • An overview of necessary sewing techniques and supplies • Pattern-free projects with clear, easy-to-follow instructions • A wide variety of costumes: cuddly critters, popular characters, classic types, and more • Sizes from 2 to 8 that will keep you stitching through the years • Easy-to-use templates Making dreams come true has never been so easy or so much fun!

L I N DA S C H M I D T 4/10/19 5:33 PM