She really is a funny girl.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast has always been my absolute favorite Disney princess. I mean, I love them all, but none can compare with the admiration I've felt for this brunette, bookworm of a girl that I was introduced to when Beauty and the Beast first debuted in kindergarten. And ever since kindergarten, I've sported a gold ballgown for Halloween at least...four times, I think? Could be five. I think I reused the same ballgown once or twice, although it may have gotten a bit shorter as the years advanced. 

Anyhow, this year I decided to go back to my roots and dress-up as Belle for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. As a Disney Cast Member, I am able to receive discounted tickets for my family and myself, so we're all going! Even my brother is flying in from California to take part in the spooky outing. 

I did, however, decide to shake it up with my Belle costume and go as "village Belle" in her blue dress this time instead of her yellow ballgown. I was also inspired by the version of the village look presented on ABC's Once Upon A Time, so I modeled my costume after that one. That costume utilized a three piece outfit, including a corset vest, which I thought would be flattering and French at the same time. Instead of brown trimming around the vest like in the show, I chose to use a wine colored trim instead. No reason really, other than I thought it looked prettier. I also made the blouse out of lace and cotton and full circle skirt out of bridal satin in a jewel blue tone. 

I'm extremely happy with how my costume turned out and I can't wait to wear it this coming Friday while I trick-or-treat in the Magic Kingdom with my family and fiancé! 

God Help The Outcasts

Ever since the Disney animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released in 1996, Esmeralda has been one of my favorite Disney characters of all time. My cousins, sisters, and I used to run around the backyard with remnants and scarves tied around our waists and in our hair, pretending to be gypsies on the run from the menacing Judge Claude Frollo. It was one of my favorite games-- and all inspired by one fiery, sassy, gorgeously animated gypsy.

It only makes sense that for one Halloween, my sister wanted to "officially" dress up as Esmeralda. I volunteered to help sew it, and between my mom and I and about four different patterns, we found the elements I needed to piece together to make Esmeralda's whole outfit: peasant blouse, teal corset, coined handkerchief, and a swirly twirly purple skirt. There is no point in a skirt if it doesn't whirl out when you spin, especially if you are a dancing gypsy.

I was pretty thrilled with how the costume turned out, overall. Between my sister and I, we've worn it for several Halloweens since its original debut. It's also a best seller in my Etsy shop, especially around October and convention times.

I'm just happy to know that there are so many other girls out there who like to play "gypsies." Esmeralda rocks.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho...

Every blog has to start somewhere, I suppose, and mine starts today with the random idea of "Hey, why don't I have a blog yet?" I have only been writing my entire life and even have an English degree to back it up. I figured it might be time to write about something that I love, and it just so happens than I love to sew. So, I'll be posting pictures of my current and past projects on here (some things I've made for my Etsy store, and some things just for fun).

I especially love this Elizabeth Swann dress that I made this past year for Halloween. I think the thing I love most about it is that I actually FINISHED it. I've had a love affair with Pirates of the Caribbean since the first movie was released and I've been holding onto a pattern for years for Elizabeth's gorgeous golden brocade dress from the beginning of The Curse of the Black Pearl. I think it took me so long to actually attack the project because I was intimidated by the amount of work it might develop into-- and I was afraid that my replica might not even hold a candle to the brilliant gown in the movie. I remember "oooing and ahhing" the second I saw Keira Knightly wear it on screen. I've always felt as though I were born in the wrong time period as far as clothing is concerned.

Anyhow, after I read the pattern a few times over, I decided that colonial finery was nothing I couldn't handle (slowly) and I started searching for the perfect material. This is one of my favorite aspects of sewing. I swear, sometimes I buy fabric before I even know what I'm going to make with it-- I just know I want to make SOMETHING with it, eventually. I've developed quite a stock pile.

After unsuccessfully scouring the store for quite a while for this gold brocade that I had specifically pictured in my mind, I was beginning to think that this dress was a no-go. Then one afternoon, my mom called me from Joanne's and said she was looking right at a bolt of four and a half yards of golden brocade in the red tag section. I was like "Are you serious?" And she's like "I'm totally serious." Fabric miracle. I knew then that the dress must be made, and in time to wear it to the huge Halloween bash at work with my boyfriend.

I think it took me a week from start to finish to complete the costume. It's got an underskirt made of muslin, and the overskirt and bodice are a separate piece. Altogether, the whole outfit must be at least twenty pounds of fabric, lace, and boning, but the weight makes me feel more authentic when I'm wearing it. After all, what fashionable colonial girl wore comfortable clothing?

For the Halloween party, I excitedly paired it with the replica Aztec treasure necklace that I've had since I was fifteen. The dress was an absolute blast to wear and I'm so thrilled that I finally accomplished it when I thought I wouldn't be able to. Almost everyone knew who I was supposed to be, although one jerk asked if I was Marie Antoinette. Whatever. Can't win them all. :)