People are usually surprised to hear that, crafty as I am, I don’t make Halloween costumes for my kids (with this exception). My people change their mind a whole bunch in the lead up and don’t commit to anything until the last minute and honestly, I want them to have that freedom. Halloween should be fun and my sewing mama stress kind of strips the joy out of it all. Just a little. 🙂 ESPECIALLY when they want to be something commercially specific like a Marvel character. Ay-yi-yi. I can’t create that kind of costume to their preferred specification level . So, it’s something I have let go of. But, it doesn’t mean I can’t make my own costume!
Oh yeah! This year I randomly got inspired to create a Rosie The Riveter costume for my little old self! It was a blast. I’ve actually been wanting a jumpsuit I can wear for messy/dye-ing/painting projects and it just made sense to create a Halloween costume I can continue to wear.
I decided on a denim jumpsuit because I bought up a WHOLE BUNCH of cone mills denim around that time when everyone was freaking out that there would be no more cone mills denim. Remember that? Yup. I bought 18 yards. 18 crazy yards, people!! I panicked and bought lots of denim. As soon as I decided on a denim jumpsuit I realized my project jumpsuit would make a perfect costume.
I added a few quick accessories too. I think Rosie would have loved some cheetah print espadrilles, right? Actually this print will be added to the shop this fall/winter once I get the shoe soles in.
Of course, I had to create the fabulous, iconic headband. Actually, Rosie wore a headscarf but I wanted a headband. Potato-Potatoe!
To create the jumpsuit I mashed together and hacked up the Cheyenne Top from Hey June Handmade and the Parasol Pants from Ensemble Patterns.
I added the exposed zipper instead of a button placket and open sleeve cuffs to the Cheyenne. To get the two pieces to fit together I really just played around. I took out a lot of length of the top to get it all to sit right and took in the side seams until the two pieces fit. I also added the elastic casing to the waist for the waist tie. Of course, I had to add rivets to the top pockets..for Rosie!
Honestly, with all my hacking and playing with the two patterns I’m surprised it all worked out. This jumpsuit fits! And I’m in love with it. Look at how well it frames my Georgia Peach!
As it turns out, I have to miss Halloween with my family. Crazy right!? I don’t even get to wear this as a costume. Blah!
I have to take an unexpected trip to the desert to help out with something family related. But, the good news is that the jumpsuit will still come in handy for my trip. I’m going to be doing some messy cleaning and I think the jumpsuit will be the perfect outfit for the job. I think Rosie would approve.
Amazing…I love it!
It’s so good! It’s so so good!! Sometimes jumpsuits with front zippers give the wearers mile-long-crotch but this is so nicely balanced and fit. The topstitching, the style lines – it’s SO GOOD!
Thank you! That’s such an astute observation. So true! I am glad it didn’t happen with this one.