It’s the Easter holidays so I’m behind on making stuff. I will be relatively quiet here until the week after next. It’s amazing how having an extra child at home creates so much more work. There has been a birthday too, which has made me busy.
Mini birthday chocolate muffins. I guess you could argue that the star decorations were part of a Star Wars birthday theme but I didn’t twig until just this second that there was a connection.
Anyway, on to what I’m here for. I made a Star Wars costume for a three year old. For a bit of diversity I decided to make it reversible. This gave the boy a choice of whether he wanted to be a Jedi or give in to temptation and join the Dark side. I think it is safe to say that he has joined the Dark side. I knew he would, which is why his big brother models the Jedi version. Not sure I’ve got my priorites right by buying him Kylo Ren’s lightsaber but whatever, he loves it.
The robes were actually really easy to sew. I’ve made a dolls dress before and Coraline’s coat, both of which follow the same basic pattern. I used this tutorial and made two (without hemming): one in brown and one in black. With right sides together, I sewed them together, leaving a gap in the bottom so I could turn the whole thing the right way round. Initially you ignore the sleeves, tucking them in whilst you stitch around everything else. Once it has all been pressed (don’t melt your cheap fabric like I did), the sleeves can be tucked into each other and their hems both folded to the inside, where they won’t be seen. A little bit of top stitching sews them together. Top stitching around everything else also tidies it all up and stitches closed the hole at the bottom.
Because it is just a fancy dress costume I wasn’t particularly careful about how it all went together, I’m pretty shocked that it worked out. I cut out the black fabric first and used it as a template for the brown so they’d both be the same size. I had some minor unpicking to do at the beginning where I messed up the shoulders. And I had some mighty gathering to do on the hood because it was so much bigger than the neck bit (it is supposed to be big though). I think it’ll get too short very quickly and the sleeves are too long. Other than that it all kind of worked. Three year old stomped around the house in Vader style and had a great time (there was even hands on hips and heavy duty breathing).
Both boys got right into the spirit of it, which I loved, especially as my eldest hates dressing up and will usually refuse. My efforts rewarded, phew!
Oh and I forgot to take pictures as I made it, so I can’t show a step by step thing. It’s not so important with the robes as I’ve linked to the other tutorial. The top was really easy. I had two rectangles and I snipped in a v neck. I sloped the shoulders slightly (downward towards the outside) then stitched them together. I quickly (and shoddily) hemmed all raw edges and left it open at the sides. It is tied down with a belt, which is a strip of leftover brown fabric that I folded in half lengthways (with raw edges tucked in) and top stitched.
Then, after Star Wars shenanigans, they did “art” or, in other words, they painted themselves…
Such a mess.
So yeah, that’s it really…. Back soon. x
FYI, I bought a metre of the cheap linen type stuff and used half (it was 60″wide) and three metres of each of brown and black, which about the right amount. I wouldn’t get any less than this. It was 45″ wide. I got it all from Amazon as I only needed cheap stuff. I usually only get fabric online if I don’t care much about the quality.
I love that it is reversible! I might have to consider that when we make the Jawa robe for my son…it could double as a Sith robe too!
We share a lot of Star Wars costumes (and other Star Wars crafts) on our blog, if you are interested in seeing the fun we are having with our padawans, come and visit! https://maythefourthbewithyoupartyblog.com
I’ll pop over and take a look. I think we’ve only just started with the Star Wars obsession here. It might last a while. I’ve already lost count of the times I’ve watched the Lego Star Wars dvd (the real thing is sometimes a bit heavy – all in good time). My birthday is May the 4th!
What a great date for a birthday! Double reason to party!!!!
Brilliant,do you reckon you can make one in a size 16? 😉 x
Making Jedi costumes could become my job!! I’d make them in all sizes and travel the world! I think this could easily happen….
Lol,sounds perfectly feasible to me 😉 x
They looks fantastic, so good seeing the boys having so much fun.
Thanks, they really did have fun!
Great costume. I am most disappointed that my boys haven’t got into Star Wars yet , even in Lego format. Despite me trying!
My eldest is nearly 7 and his class mates are all into it in a big way so it has rubbed off on the 3 year old. However, he’s way more into it than his brother. I approve; it’s way more exciting than Thomas the Tank engine!
Brilliant star wars outfits 🙂
Thanks!
I’m having palpitations at the thought of all that paint!!! Great outfit though, and perfect for this age where they love to dress up even if it’s just to go the shops:)
I didn’t notice at first but blue paint got sprayed all up the magnolia walls! Baby wipes got rid of it but I haven’t let them near paint since.
I love having another fan of fancy dress in the house, it was just me for such a long time.
This is brillant !!!my kids would love it, I would love the little cupcakes
Thanks very much! I’m making more cupcakes this weekend, there’s van other birthday coming up. They’re good ones too. Maybe I’ll share the recipe some time!
Oh do I love baking , I have 2 birthdays in April for my 2, was going to do a post on the cake if it works out …!
Yep, April is a busy birthday month for me too! Maybe it’s time for a baking post!
Maybe it is !