I Wish That I Was Jessie's Girl

I know.  The song doesn't really go, but Sarah is convinced that it's about Toy Story's Jessie the Cowgirl. 

Y'all, I don't want to scare you, but we only have 11 months until Halloween.  But, if you or your kids are anything like us, you find reasons and occasions to wear costumes the whole year 'round.  So, I thought I'd post the how-to for Sarah's Jessie costume, since tutus are an essential daily wardrobe component around here and I've honed my skills at making them.

Here's the thing: Sarah won't wear pants. Leggings are her one concession to anything that covers the leg.  Otherwise, no denim, cordoroy, or woven material of any kind may sheathe her stems.  Two years into it, I'm beginning to lose hope that this is just a phase.  Anyway, after seeing little brother's tricked-out (store bought) Buzz Lightyear costume, she HAD to be Jessie.  Albeit, a Jessie sans pants. 

What's a mom to do? Make a tutu, that's what.  I saw this tutu getup on Pinterest, and thought it was a look my diva might embrace.

The costume is boiled down to a tutu, a cow print overskirt, and an appliqued t-shirt.  First off, I based my tutu construction on this tutorial, sans ruffles.

Here's what you need:

• 4.5 to 5 yards of 45" wide blue tulle (fits an average-height 4T)  *I only used 4 yards, but I would definitely use 5 for the next go-round, to make it extra fluffy)
• 1" wide elastic
• scissors
• standard sewing notions

 Step 1: Leave the tulle folded lengthwise, just as it came off the bolt.  Fold the tulle lengthwise again, matching the doubled side with the raw edge.  Your fabric should now measure 5 yards by 22.5".

Step 2: Press the tulle along the long folded edge, with the iron set at a low temperature, so as not to melt the tulle.

Sorry for the pink.  I think we might have a little Sugar Plum Fairy twirling around here for Christmas ;)

Step 3: Sew your casing for the elastic.  Measure about 1 1/4" inches from the folded edge and mark with pins (or just use the guides on your machine), and sew along that line, leaving both ends open.

Step 4: Measure your child's waist, and add an inch to it.  Cut your elastic to that measurement and attach a safety pin to one end.

Step 5: Thread the elastic into the casing, safety-pinned end first, sliding it out the other side.  Make sure you hold on to the other end.

Step 6:  Once the elastic has been threaded through the casing and your tulle is all nice and scrunchy, pin the two ends of the elastic together and sew.

Step 7: Fluff your tutu.

Now, for the overskirt.

You need:

• 1 yard of cow-print fabric (you'll have a lot left over)
• 2 yards of red grosgrain ribbon
• 2 yards of mini-pom-pom trim
• sewing notions
• scissors
• circle-skirt pattern (I used this one here.  LOVE all of her patterns.  Here's a tutorial if you're good at math)

This is basically just a circle skirt, sized to fit the child's waist and allowing for no stretch.  

Step 1: Fold your  yard of cow-print fabric in half lengthwise.  Fold it over again, making a rectangle with your short, raw sides together. 

 Step 2: Place your circle skirt pattern in the top left corner of your fabric, like this:

Sorry for the different fabric.  Didn't have enough cow-print.

 Step 3: Cut around the top and bottom of the fabric, where your waist and hems will be.  Leave the folded sides intact.

Step 4 (Optional): If you have a serger, you can serge the waist and hem edges to finish them off.  I didn't, just because I was pressed for time and running out of white thread.

Step 5: Cut up the middle of the circle skirt, rounding the bottom of the cut edges.

Step 6: Find the middle of a length of grosgrain ribbon that is at least 10 inches longer that your child's waist measurement.  Pin the middle of the ribbon to the middle of the skirt, and then pin the ribbon over the top of the waistband, leaving long enough ends to tie a bow at the waist.

Step 7: Topstitch the ribbon to the skirt waist all the way around.

Step 8: Follow steps 6 & 7 for the mini-pom-pom trim around the hem, and you're almost there.

Step 9: Insert child, and add any cowgirl accessories you have on hand. (I also made some Jessie hair, an appliquéd t-shirt, and some cowgirl cuffs for the shirt.)

Step 10: Enjoy!