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Lady Bug Costume

Item # 222482638P724
Intermediate 3-5 Hours

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

  • Red with Black Polka Dot Knit Costume Fabric: 1 yd
  • Red Thread
  • T-Shirt: child's size
  • Black Ribbon
  • Sewing Machine
  • Iron & Ironing Surface
  • White Tulle: 1/4 yd
  • Black Headband
  • Large Wiggle Eyes
  • Large Chenille Stems
  • Black Chenille Stems
  • Water-Soluble Marker
  • Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

Dress:

  1. Measure the length of the dress by measuring the child from the middle of their shoulder to where the dress should end.
  2. Add an additional 1" to this measurement.
  3. Fold the fabric for the dress with wrong sides out.
  4. Lay the fabric flat.
  5. Mark the length of the dress from above on the fabric.
  6. Cut this length.
  7. Lay a t-shirt centered on the fabric, aligning the top of the tee with the top of the fabric.
  8. Find the top of the sleeve seam & measure in 1".
  9. Mark a dot here (A) & repeat for the other side.
  10. Mark a dot under each armpit (B).
  11. At the bottom of the tee shirt hem, measure over 2" on either side & mark a dot (C).
  12. See diagram on wing pattern printout as a reference.
  13. Draw a line connecting B to C on both sides.
  14. C should be on the bottom edge of the fabric, if not, connect C dots.
  15. Draw a curved line to connect marks A & B, mimicking the shape of the armhole from the t-shirt, or use a circular object such as a dinner plate to draw a curved line.
  16. If not at, or close to, the top edge of the fabric, connect A marks with a straight line.
  17. Cut through both layers of fabric, leaving 1/2" on sides (A to B & B to C lines) for seam allowance.
  18. Sew the sides of the dress with 1/2" seams.
  19. Fold under the arm openings 1/4" & iron flat, then another 1/4" & iron flat again.
  20. Stitch around the arm openings.
  21. Fold up the hem 1/2", iron flat, & fold another 1/2" & iron flat.
  22. Stitch the hem.
  23. At the top of the dress, fold one top edge in 1/8", iron flat, then fold another 3/4" & iron flat.
  24. Stitch along the bottom of this channel.
  25. Repeat for the other side.
  26. Cut 2 pieces of ribbon, 18" long.
  27. Thread the ribbons through the top channels of the dress.
  28. Tie a bow at each shoulder to complete the dress.
  29. Lay out the tulle folding it over & over until it is slightly bigger than the pattern for the wings. Cut out the layers of tulle.
  30. Cut a length of white thread.
  31. Weave the thread though the middle of the wings, then pull tightly to cinch the wings.
  32. Tie the thread to secure.
  33. Stitch the wings to the back of the dress.

Headpiece:

  1. Wrap a large, black chenille stem around the headband 3 times, leaving the rest to stand upright.
  2. Repeat with another on the other side of the headband.
  3. Spiral the ends of the large chenille stems.
  4. Cut 10 black chenille stems 3" long.
  5. Hot glue 5 to the back of one of the large wiggle eyes as eyelashes.
  6. Repeat for the other eye.
  7. Hot glue each eye to either side of the headband.

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