DIY: Halloween Bob's Burgers Louise Belcher Costume

October is here! It’s my favorite month because of two things...my birthday falls right in the middle and HALLOWEEN! Costumes and costume making are up there on my favorites list and I’ve been planning this year’s ‘stume since I finished binging a certain show recently - Bob’s Burgers! Louise Belcher costume, coming right up! I snagged all my supplies from JOANN, including this XL tee that’s going to be the base of the costume!

Louise Belcher c/o Fox/Bob’s Burgers

On top of the shirt, I needed some wire and pink fleece for the ears as well as some green dye to match Louise’s dress color!

It’s dye time! I prepped my t-shirt and submersed it in water before tossing it into the washing machine and adding my dye.

The pre-wash wetting maneuver will help ensure the color stays bold and even!

While the shirt was cycling in the dye, I moved onto the hat portion of the costume. To create a hat, you can make one from scratch like I did OR you can always buy a pink beanie base and then add ears if you’re on a time crunch. I feel like Halloween always ends up arriving so quickly, so if you don’t have enough prep time, there are ways to still make it work!

I crafted a pattern similar to one based off of a basic beanie, just adding length on each side to match Louise’s flaps. The circumference around my head was 20 inches and 13 inches from my head to my shoulders.

(The pattern is for one side of the hat, as I’ll be cutting out two layers of fleece at once to double the size.) Hello soon to be hat!

Next on the agenda...the ears and the little rectangular bits that go at the end of each flap. I made freehand patterns and used remnant fleece to create. I trimmed out four of each ear and rectangular piece (2/piece) and pinned them together.

With everything pinned, it was time to stitch! First came the ears...

Then came the flap ends …

To help make the ears stand up, I added wire to the interior of both ears. Little trick...use hot glue to keep the wire in place!

Next it was time to stitch the base of the hat together. The front and back of the hat (where it was pinned) was stitched first, leaving the top of the hat open.

Here’s where the ears come in! I placed the ears on the right side of the fabric facing down and then stitched them together. This will close up the open portion of the hat while setting the ears in place!

The little rectangular bits were stitched to the end of the flaps next, getting this hat ready to go

The final step before being fully costume ready was the t-shirt! It was dyed perfectly and all it needed was a quick take-in! I pinned and then stitched it to make it a smidge smaller.

And with the help of a black bob wig, my Louise Belcher costume was complete!

I just love how the hat looks!

I mean, we’re twins!.

It’s just such a fun costume to wear!

Wearing a wig is always add an extra element of mystique to any costume!

When something is this enjoyable (and pretty simple to DIY) - that calls for a celebration!

Happy Halloween!!!

DIY: Fur Trimmed Sweater

Fall has arrived! I love the sea of autumn colors everywhere, from on the NYFW runways to the pumpkin spice latte ads I’m getting served on Instagram :) I’m already excited about the cool weather ahead, so I’m crafting something that will be perfect to wear as the temps go down! I took a long cardigan and grabbed some fur from JOANN for the perfect DIY!

Hello fur!!

I loved how grey mixed with the chestnut brown and was obsessed with how fluffy the fur was! (I also have extra fur that will make PERFECT pillow covers for the couch!

I took my fur, my sweater, and grabbed a few more supplies - scissors, thread, and needles, oh my - and got to crafting!

I wanted to make a panel of fur to cover the sweater’s edge - three inches on the front facing out and three on the the inside. I took a ruler and measured six inches and then cut strips of the fur, enough to completely cover the sweater’s edge.

I took the fur panels and and placed them next to the sweater to get perfect placement before pinning down.

Three inches covering both sides of the sweater’s edge.

With the fur in place, it was time to pin it to the sweater.

This is going to help with the hand stitching that comes next. I took some dark thread, a larger needle...

...and began to secure the fur in place.

While I was stitching, I was catching up on old episode of Gilmore Girls (because that show gives me all the fall vibes), and just like that I was done!

I paired this with some flared jeans, my go-to Candie’s, and the Reformation top that I wore to my rehearsal dinner for the perfect vintage-y look!

I can’t get over how much I’m obsessed with my how this sweater turned out! I feel like Stevie Nicks or Penny Lane from Almost Famous!!

It’s cozy and warm and perfect to put on top of jeans or a vintage tunic and tights!

With my extra fur I just might have to make a few more of these!

Who else wants one??  

OK, I’m ready for fall!  *grabs sweater every time she leaves house*

DIY: Palm Springs Caftan

We’re in the thick of summer and all I want is a weekend away at a pool with my BFFs. Palm Springs, here we come! To fit in with the desert vibes, I’m thinking vintage patterns, bright colors, and something super retro. A DIY caftan is the just the thing I’m going to make and bring with to lounge poolside in!

I went to JOANN to find the perfect pattern and fabric combo to get my piece started!

Here's what you'll need:
Pattern (Simplicity has SO many cool reissue patterns from the 60s/70s! It took me a while to settle on my pick!)

Fabric (I wanted something bright and desert-y and went with this cotton pattern. I got four yards just to make sure there was enough and to have the option of crafting a belt or head scarf with the remnants.)

Thread (Find something that matches your fabric)

**Depending on pattern, you might also need the following: (Just check out the back of your pattern package where additional supplies will be listed.) Fusable interfacing, zippers, hook & eye closures

I found the perfect pattern while browsing - I wanted to make all three of the options but decided on the top left. (Stripes FTW!) I mean we’re going to Palm Springs, so let’s keep it short!

I checked out the step by step instructions on the back of the pattern and started planning. For any sewing newbie, these steps are super helpful in understanding the best way to piece together your garment!

I began with the pattern and cut out the pieces that were needed to make my caftan option and then pressed the pattern pieces with an iron to remove any wrinkles.

I did a quick press of the fabric as well, pinned the pattern to my fabric, and cut the three pieces out. There’s such a sense of accomplishment once you have all your pieces ready to go!

Following the directions on the pattern package, I cut out fusible interfacing for the collar pattern and ironed it to the fabric.

Now it was time to sew all the pattern pieces together! I began with the collar - following the directions I pinned my piece in place…

...stitched the ends together and then turned the collar inside out.

Next was the rest of the caftan! I attached my collar to the neckline...

...stitched the sides of the piece leaving room for the sleeves and then created a hem.

And just like that, I’m ready for Palm Springs! 🌴 

Colorful and outfitted in a vintage straw had, because that’s how you do in the desert :)

This is perfect for over a swimsuit, or to cover shoulders if you’re prone to burns like I am!

I also had the perfect clutch to pair with my caftan! Yellow straw clutch, FTW!

This is making me want to sew caftans to wear each day of the week!

I’m totally going to become that girl! :) Caftan Party, USA!