Halloween Semi-Fail

I love the idea of sewing my Halloween costume, I hate the idea of sewing something I’ll only wear once. My costume strategy is usually to dress up as a character I can cobble together from my existing closet, which means I’m usually just a slightly more extra version of myself (and I sometimes discover a new regular outfit because I am apparently a caricature of myself.) 

I bobbed my hair for the first time in years this summer and decided that *this* would be the year I make a bomb-ass flapper get up, complete with historically accurate construction backed up with research, because I figured that a fancy dress would be a great costume and get worn IRL.

Did I do this? Nope. 

I did make a costume, although a much more low key one and very last minute. I had already made a fringe mini skirt last Christmas which I adore. Historically accurate? Not even a little, but at least the vibe was there. I decided to add some faux fur in there and some sheer sequins as a nod to the beaded over dress and tah-dah: the eminently wearable semi-flapper costume!

And then I got sick on Halloween... Thankfully I've worn both pieces IRL anyway so not all is lost.

This is how I'd wear it for a more "casual" vibe (lol) I haven't worn it over a solid t yet but I imagine it would look cute and a *little* less ostentatious

Pattern: Seamwork Bo (smallest size. I'm usually in the middle of the range but this is so boxy there's a lot of wiggle room and I wanted to conserve fabric.)

Fabric: 1 yard poly organza with embellishment from JoAnn fabrics

Alterations: Omitted the cuffs because it broke up the busy pattern in a weird way and opted for binding the neck and hems with the un-embellished edges of the main fabric. Unfortunately, I forgot to trim out the seam allowance at the neck so it’s a liiiiittle snug but nothing unbearable (even with my big head.)

Thoughts: Super pleased! I usually prefer contrasting textures than sparkles or embellishments but the color scheme here is very much my jam. The fact that it’s basically a fancy t-shirt make it much more wearable, I’d totally wear this to holiday parties or drinks out.  (Or, you know, in place of the dressed down cocktail dresses I've been known to wear to coffee shops to work.)

Like all the Seamwork patterns I’ve used, Bo is really well drafted and the instructions (even when I ignore them…) are great. This is technically a wearable muslin of sorts as I had already planned to make another in a golden Tencel :D

I like throwing cocktail parties at my house as an excuse to get dressed up/steep my friends in gin. Fur collars faciliatate both.

Pattern: self drafted but there's similar tutorial here.

Fabric: faux fur from JoAnn fabrics (surprisingly they had pretty good selection of nice furs hidden in the back, who knew?)

Scrap of bemberg rayon lining from the stash

Thoughts: I need to add clips or something to keep it in place on my coats because it has a tendency to slip around (any ideas appreciated!), although it's great to wear as a scarf too. Makes my outfits extra EXTRA than usual but I'm never against that ;)