Skunk Costume Pattern Review

Call me crazy but there's just something about a homemade Halloween costume that makes the holiday special. I grew up on homemade costumes so I have an affinity for them and refuse to settle for anything less. So when I was perusing the aisles of JoAnn's and spotted these little cuties I thought why not make my daughter, the little stinker that she is, a little skunk!

I've never used a McCall's pattern before so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I grabbed the pattern and headed to the fabric department to get everything I needed to complete it. Looking at the back it outlines all the fabric you'll need and the amounts based on which animal you want and what size you need (FYI "1/2" is size 6 months, 1 is 12 months, and so on). Since my daughter is almost 14 months I used the size 1 measurements for determining my fabric amounts. I took my pattern and my fabric and headed home excited about my new endeavor. 
First thing I noticed when I opened the pattern was that the pattern pieces are printed on tissue paper, very delicate tissue paper. I carefully proceeded to cut out each piece despite the fact the directions were a bit unclear. After cutting out a number of the pattern pieces I notice that everything has the number 3 on it. Then it dawns on me...I bought a size 3 pattern instead of size 1! Ugh! 
Frustrated by the fact that I just spent $10 on this pattern and a 30 minute round trip road trip to get it I decided to proceed making adjustment to size it down. FAIL I sized it too small.
So I grab my 50% off coupon on head back to JoAnn's to repurchase the pattern in the RIGHT size.
In my first attempt at creating the costume I learned some very valuable things about McCall patterns. The first being that it only provides you with one size per pattern (most offer all sizes in one) and that they DO NOT list all the needed materials on the back. Once I opened it and started constructing the costume I realized that I was supposed to have a zipper, bias tape, foam, Velcro, and elastic. 
Thanks for the heads up there!
Lucky for me I happened to have most of that stuff laying around or could use a substitute. So I pressed on. Here's where I got ahead of myself...since I spend a lot of time making my own patterns I feel I know a thing or two about what is necessary and what isn't. Instead of reading some directions thoroughly I sort of breezed over them and ended up forgetting some steps. Fortunately, however, I was able to come up with my own way of fixing those mistakes. Oh and did I mention that the pattern has about a million (ok maybe a bit of an exaggeration) place where they want you to hand stitch! I HATE hand stitching...yuck. 
All in all the costume turned out cute...not exactly as pictured with the big fluffy belly and large tuft of hair on top but cute and of course my little stinker looks adorable in it. But I can't say I feel like it was worth all that hard work and frustration particularly because I saw pretty much the exact same costume for sale at a local consignment store for $6! 
BUT that would go against my "beliefs" so I tell myself ;)
Hope you have better luck with your Halloween projects!
Photos of the little stinker to come...what did you think I was going to reveal before Halloween?!? 

Happy Halloween!




Comments

  1. i saw that pattern a couple weekends ago when i was at joann's and i decided to make my little one a skunk also but i couldn't and wouldn't spend that much on a pattern i was gonna use once so i created me own sorta and it turned out cute she loves it and throws a fit cause i won't let her wear it

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    1. You were better off, let me tell you. I should have done the same and I justify the price with a 50% off coupon but it was still at least $20 when it was finished...likely more! Wish I could see how yours turned out!

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    2. I'm going to post pictures on my blog after Halloween I'll come back here and post a link

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    3. here's the url http://lovelifesewcrazy.blogspot.com/2012/11/halloween-costumes.html

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    4. Cute!!! Nice work! I think I'll go my own way from now on, no more patterned Halloween costumes for this family :)

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    5. thank you, I'm gonna start planning ahead for next year earlier

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  2. Just so you know, you have inspired me to learn how to sew! I am going to use one of your patterns- what do you recommend for a BEGINNER (haha)? This Halloween post officially makes me want to learn how to sew since costumes are a rip off.

    PS- put your blog button on my blog! Your stuff is great :). Thanks for all your help, you rock.

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    1. Awe Tiffany that's so awesome! I happen to think all of my tutorials are easy ;) If you're thinking something for the little one the sash skirt is very basic. For an easy adult project I'd go with the pillows. Please let me know how it goes! And I'd love to see pictures too!

      Thanks for the blog love! Might have to do a The Dwelling Tree blog feature :)

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  3. Can't wait to see her in it. She'll be adorable and what a special gift for her to have handmade costumes. Lucky girl!

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  4. I made both the skunk and the lion costume. They turned out adorable and I got a lot of compliments. The lion takes a really long time because the ribbon mane is sewed on on ribbon at a time!

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    1. Wow! I thought about doing the lion but I don't have the patience for that! I commend you on doing that!! Did you find any of the frustrations that I did or did it go much smoother for you...I hope!

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  5. Just stumbled across your blog on Pinterest - love your tutorials! I bought a McCall's pattern once that left out a step - luckily, I was able to figure out that I should sew the side seams of pants closed before putting on the waistband, but I can't imagine what people do with their patterns that have less experience. I've had pretty good luck with Simplicity patterns.

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    1. Thanks!

      I can't believe that a step was missing! That's sort of funny but man I would have been super annoyed if I made it and then went "uh...what went wrong???" I'll have to check out the Simplicity patterns, thanks for the tip!

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