Hello all, I'm Chelsea from Seablanket.com! I was so excited when Elsie asked me to create a DIY for Tricks & Treats, and I knew just what to make. I love dressing up on Halloween and really wanted to wear something fresh this year - something cute and unique. This Lady Bird Owl Costume is made entirely from items I had around the house, and by settling down with some popcorn and a funny movie i was able to make it in under one hour. The steps for this costume could make so many different animals, all it takes is a little imagination.
Materials Needed:
Pillow Case
Multiple Textured, Colored and Patterned Fabrics (Scraps work great for this project!)
Scissors
Push Pins
Hot Glue Gun or Sewing Machine
Ribbon or Edge Tape
Step 1. Lay your pillowcase on a flat surface. The opening will be the bottom of your dress, so you'll need to cut out a hole on the opposite end for your head and two arm holes on either side of the pillowcase. Hold up against your body to spot where your holes should be and what size.
Step 2. Using your scissors and all your fabrics, cut out fist-sized half-ovals( each oval was created from squares that measured 3x4", then I rounded two of the corners). My dress called for about 45 of these half-ovals. If you're purchasing fabric, you'll need at least one yard. These will act as your owl's feathers.
Step 3. Beginning at the bottom of your pillowcase, lay fabric feathers along side one-another, making sure they cover the edge of your pillow case. The straight edge of your feathers should be at the top of your row. Pin straight edge into place. Make sure you alternate your fabrics for a whimsical, charming look.
Step 4. Once you've completed pinning your bottom row, sew or use hot glue to attach the straight edge of your feathers to the pillow case. Moving onto the next row, make sure to stagger your fabrics, so they cover all seams you created on the line before. Repeat this step until you've reached the top of your pillow case.
Step 5. Trim any excess fabrics that might be overhanging in the neck or arm areas. Now, taking your edging tape or ribbon, edge the neck and arm holes so that they cover all loose fabrics and give the entire costume a polished look!
By adding fun eye shadow, a few feathers, and messy nest-like side bun, the outfit is complete! I am so excited to wear it out (maybe even after Halloween). Go enjoy making your own animal costumes, each one will be so unique! Hope you all have a super cute Halloween!! xxoo Chelsea
PS. the official Tricks and Treats Schedule (for days 1-6) is right here. We're still confirming a few guests for the second week, but you can see who's lined up for this week now! XO. Huge thank you*s to Chelsea for kicking off this fun 12 day project with her gorgeous Lady Bird Owl Halloween costume! XO.
amazing idea for a dress. I like!
http://sweetmondayblog.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kim Parslow | October 18, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Wow. This is adorable!
Posted by: Windsor Grace | October 18, 2010 at 04:19 PM
I LOVE THIS!
Posted by: Jackie@Lilolu | October 18, 2010 at 04:26 PM
cutest dress EVER.
Posted by: kelly ann | October 18, 2010 at 04:39 PM
So cute, saw a very similar version for kids (base was a t-shirt so there was less sewing) on OhDeDoh last year, I wanted my little one to do it but she says she's scared of owls, LOL.
Posted by: Tania | October 18, 2010 at 05:06 PM
This should be worn all the time! I love it. It looks like a dress you could wear all the time!!!
Posted by: Lindsay C | October 18, 2010 at 05:23 PM
i have 2 Halloween's to go to so im making this for the 31st, i already have one planed for the 30th
Posted by: vanessa ruff | October 18, 2010 at 06:08 PM
This is super cute! I wish I were slim enough to wear such a piece with grace.
Hug!
Miki.
Posted by: Miki | October 18, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Cute dress! want it =) but I'm not so talented with making dresses or sewing..
Posted by: Nina Christine. | October 18, 2010 at 07:00 PM
I SERIOUSLY love it!!! I am going to make this happen for halloween in honduras!! I'm SUPER STOKED! It looks super easy, too!
Posted by: Caroline Nichols | October 18, 2010 at 09:11 PM
I love this one, so wonderfullllll.
Posted by: golf trolley | October 18, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Ahhhh!! This is the cutest dress!!
love the eye makeup too x
Posted by: Cheray | October 19, 2010 at 01:27 AM
what a super cute & fun costume, love it!
Posted by: Sophie | October 19, 2010 at 08:17 AM
this is gorgeous, & the hair & makeup finish it beautifully. thank you Chelsea (& Elsie) for sharing. x
Posted by: Watkins35 | October 19, 2010 at 02:49 PM
SO beautiful ♥♥ ohh why dont we have halloween here in finland?? im so jealouse.. :)
Posted by: Juuli | October 20, 2010 at 07:48 AM
SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A BEAK. WHAT KIND OF OWL IS THIS?
Posted by: Lillie | October 20, 2010 at 01:58 PM
This is adorable. It could almost be worn on non-Halloween days. An owl mask with big eyes would make this even better.
Posted by: Julia | October 23, 2010 at 02:47 PM
What an adorable idea! It would also work for a fish costume!
Posted by: Chelsea | October 24, 2010 at 08:27 PM
Love it!
www.smittenandhazel.com
Posted by: Smitten | October 29, 2010 at 10:02 AM
i am making this but i am also making a cape to go with it as "wings" and i am turning a masquerade mask into a "beak". also instead of sewing this on i am using stitch witchery tape. MUCH faster! thanks for the idea! love it.
Posted by: mandolin | October 29, 2010 at 11:52 PM