A Very Frozen Halloween: A Warmer Anna Costume

It is finally my favorite time of the year. I love the changing colors, cooler weather and delicious flavors of fall. But most importantly, I love Halloween! I love dressing up (yes, I know I am a full grown adult, but there is a kid in all of us), and I love, love, LOVE making costumes! Now that my son is old enough to communicate costume ideas, Halloween has become my ultimate challenge. 
Like most young girls, my daughter has come down with Frozen fever (only 2 years after most other young girls). Her brother has found a fondness for Olaf in her endless insistence on watching Frozen 3 times a week. So when I asked what they would like to be in mid-August he proudly proclaimed that he wanted to be Olaf and that his sister should be Anna. Challenge accepted. 
The big plus to being 2 years behind on the Frozen train is that so much movie memorabilia can be bought at a discounted price, and an Olaf costume was no exception. I found my son a nice quality costume for much cheaper than I could have crafted it for. However, Anna costumes were a little trickier. The prices were right but they were paper thin. Tissue paper sleeves just wouldn't cut it for a Midwestern October so I began plotting a costume that would not only keep my daughter warm but also be more authentic to the movie.
I began with some costume suede and a wonderful pattern from the Cottage Mama! I have her book of patterns and absolutely love it. But this pattern is a freebie that you obtain from following her blog. I highly recommend her blog, her book and her patterns to any mom that is looking to sew for a young daughter(s). These patterns are how I found a love of sewing garments. I will admit, I altered the bodice of the pattern to be shaped more like Anna's.
I also tried my hand at some free motion machine embroidery. It was a challenge and I definitely need more practice but it was also fun!

I used a cheap costume satin for the skirt. I should note . . . I would never, ever again waste my money on costume satin. This stuff was horrendous to work with. It snagged like crazy and never really seemed to be on grain. I should have thrifted a little harder for a better fabric at the same price. But I went with it. I altered the pattern here again creating a shorter over-skirt and a warmer layer as an under-skirt. Then I gathered as normal and connected to the bodice. 

I scalloped the top layer and then sewed it to the bottom layer. Once this was done I began free motion machine embroidering all along the scallops. 

The turtle neck was created using a wonderful free pattern from Kuka and Bubu! I have to admit, I had never done anything with sleeves for my daughter but the pattern was a breeze. I used a fleece lined sweatshirt material for warmth and added some ribbon embellishment to mimic Anna's undershirt. 

Finally I drafted a cape based off of the cape found in the Simplicity S0733 pattern. My daughter is only wearing 18 month clothes so I had to alter down from their size 3. 

Instead of using the applique pattern I decided to use ric rac around the cape (for time and sanity's sake).

I think it turned out quite well and will keep my daughter very warm. But my son didn't just want the two of them to dress up. He wanted this to be a family affair so I also had to create a Kristoff and Elsa costume! Stay tuned for more . . .

Until next time . . . happy sewing!