It's A Halloween Costume Miracle!

 Mademoiselle Butterfly Costume

All I can say is that it's some kind of miracle that I finished this Halloween costume in time for the school carnival.  I had planned on starting on this costume a week ago but as you may know, I was in Connecticut attending a funeral instead.  With only two days to buy the fabric, cut the pattern and sew up the costume, I wasn't sure if I could do it.  I already had to cancel my daughters birthday party due to the funeral.  I didn't want to have to tell her I couldn't make her costume either.  So, I decided to just go for it. 

Friday, day before carnival: I go online to look over the pattern one more time before I commit.  I notice that the costume is supposed to be hand sewn, ugh.  I also notice in the comments that the foam the pattern calls for is hard to find, double ugh.  I already know I'm going to have to deviate from the pattern.

I get home with the fabric and get to work.  I only stop to pick up the kids from school and make dinner.  Then I go straight back to work.  By 11:30 PM I've cut out all the pieces and have sewn all the green dots on the blue felt.

Saturday, day of carnival:  I wake up at 6:00AM and immediately start laying out the butterfly pattern.  I keep thinking do I try to top stitch it with the sewing machine or, *gulp*, glue it? No, I stick with hand sewing it together (yep, I'm pretty much out of mind at this point).  I hand sew until I have to go to the school to set up the crafts for the carnival.  Come back home, eat, and get back to work. 

I can't believe  I've finished the back of the costume, all hand sewn!  I've got two hours until I need to be at the carnival.  At this moment I feel like I'm on a Halloween episode of Project Runway minus the cameras and snarky competition.  I've got two options, glue the pieces on or leave it blank.  I make the call to glue on the front pieces.  After all, I don't want her mistaken for a moth or bat after all the trouble I've gone through thus far.

I sew both set of wings together, stuff with foam, and sew up the opening. Next, I glue on the pieces and let it dry as I get ready.  And up to the very last minute (no exaggeration) I sew on the elastic straps.  I grab a handful of safety pins, shove them in my pocket and run out the door.

Mission accomplished!