Vampire Queen

Charlotte didn't know what she wanted to be for Halloween 2012.  We brainstormed for quite some time.  Eventually she decided on a vampire.  I'm sorry, a Vampire Queen.  Not just a common or garden vampire.  Now we just had to design an outfit. I quite fancied something Steampunk looking.  A kind of possessed Victorian child doll. With a cute teeny, tiny top hat.  I harbour a secret hope that I can get one (or both) of the girls interested in Goth or Steampunk so I can spend my days making corsets and bustles.  Everyone's got to have a dream!  I'm not sure their Mam would agree though.  Anyway, back to Charlotte.  Steampunk was out.  I found loads of dressing up outfits on t'internet for her to browse through.  She eventually picked something like this

She wanted a cloak though.  The fact that Katie had got a cloak when I made her Snow White dress was still a sore point.  Two years later.  These children have long memories.  I wanted to make a bigger collar with more shape to it.  More like this one

In the end we compromised.  She'd condescend to wear the collar if I made a cloak.  I thought a kind of Scottish Widows type cloak with a hood would be good.

So to work.  For the bodice I adapted good old Simplicity 2817.  I cut it short so it would be more empire line.  I ended up putting some very stunted darts in.  I wasn't sure if it would work without or not.  Better safe than sorry.  I used crepe backed satin for the most part, but I overlaid the red with some spider web tulle to give it some pattern.  The sleeves were slightly problematical.  I wanted to put strips down the puff sleeves so they looked like slashed sleeves.  It took me a while to work out that it was easier attaching the strips before gathering.  It seems so obvious now. The lower sleeves were also made of the spider web tulle. 

The skirt was made from crushed velvet.  I just made a long, slightly A line skirt.  The collar was also made from crushed velvet.  I adapted the Snow White collar.  The cloak was just an internet tutorial.  I have no idea which one.  There are a lot out there.  

On this outfit I think I put the most trim on I ever have.  There seemed to be gold braid everywhere.  I was concerned while making it that the dress would be too tight.  Charlotte insisted it was fine.  I just think she liked the fact that something was so close fitting on her.  This is a child that makes skinny jeans look baggy!  She did manage to squeeze into it last year for Halloween as well, but I think she's finally outgrown something I made.  I never thought I'd see the day.

And finally a vampire (queen, notice the tiara) and her pet cat!

Scary or what!