"When the hurly-burly's done ...

When the battle's ... won!"



On May 7, 2008 I finished the 3rd and most challenging of 3 witches costumes I made on my serger for dear son's MacBeth play. I was both thrilled and exhausted. I giant weight also dropped from around my neck. I loved making the costumes, but wanted to do a good job and felt stressed out as a result.

Here are some of the thing's I'm happy about for this project:

1) Frugality: I listened carefully to what the teacher explained was her vision of how the dresses should look. Then I searched my pattern stash. I realized that a simple nightgown pattern included in my Kwik Sew Sewing for children's Master Pattern collection would fit what she wanted. Soooo.... save myself about $10.00 in buying a pattern.

2) Simplicity of project: As usual, Kwik Sew patterns are easy to make; and this one was no exception. I was also able to easily adapt the patterns to cut a slit in the back for the opening and add little spiky points to the ends of the sleeves and hem.

3) Speed of project: Using my serger, I was able to sew each gown in an afternoon. I adapted the pattern instructions for my serger, using a 3 thread overlock for seams and narrow hem for all hems/neckline. By the third one, I was so familiar with the project construction, I was doing it in just a few hours.

4) Nice thread: I went out and bought some metallic gold/black variegated Wooly Nylon thread to go with the fabric. The school provided me with a Gold Lame fabric with a black backing. They wanted me to use the black side for the right side of the fabric because the Gold Lame stuff made it look shimmery for the witches gowns. Using the Wooly Nylon thread turned out to be a real winner. I did narrow rolled edges for the neckline and opening, and hems. I put the Wooly Nylon in the upper looper of my serger and and black thread in the right needle and lower looper. Then from the right side of the fabric (black side), I serger the narrow hem. The black/gold Wooly Nylon was lovely on the outside of the gown!

Well, I don't know if the audience will be scared of our little witches in the play, but they will certainly adore them in their costumes. Kwik Sew has come through with another winner pattern for me!

Here's a link to DS wearing one of the witch's costumes.