Cheapest Elsa Costume Ever

 

Once my four year old niece became obsessed with Frozen, inspiration struck thanks to discolored blue sheets and sheer white curtains from My Parents' Attic. Could I make the cheapest, most hideous Elsa costume ever?

Yes.

Instead of the tunic pattern used previously for her Pastel Costumes, I pulled a thrifted McCall's 6154 kid's pattern from my costume drawer. The blue sheets would be this tube dress with a boat neck perfect for attaching the sheer curtain cape – although I wouldn't need the pattern's extra cowl collar or ruffled hem. The pattern called for a front on the fold, however the blue sheets had already been partially cut for other mock ups where I didn't care that they were faded and bleached. Now working around the bad spots, I had to cut two so the best blue coloring was the front of the dress. Briefly I wondered if any extra triangle gore panels would be needed for maximum swish, but upon looking at more Elsa pictures, I decided to use the center front seam as a slit instead. This pattern is actually my niece's current size and I may have cut it a little long, but any bigger and there would not have been enough sheets! One can likewise see the back two pieces and the sleeves don't quite color match the front, but who's going to be looking under the cape amirite?

What should have been a quick weekend project with cutting, pressing, and basting in a day took a little longer because my sewing machine was being difficult. I don't know if it was the thin sheets, the older blue grab bag thread, lack of use the past few months, dust, or a tension issue – maybe a bit of everything – but I ended up going back and reinforcing some loose seams by hand before hand stitching the sleeves. The shoulder corners with the boat neck style seemed awkward in the child size but the under arm wrap around cape attachment would hide that! Despite being her size, this seemed big for my niece so I also pleated the back for additional flounce. Of course, this could always be undone if she begins to outgrow it. A blue sequin panel from the Dollar Store was a perfectly cheap way to glitz up the front a la Elsa. It was cumbersome to stitch with my handy invisible thread, too; perhaps the most time consuming part of this monstrosity other than the sewing machine jams. Some blue Dollar Store gem stickers trail along the front seam as well, but a few have already fallen off, lol.

I debated folding the curtain for layered flounce, but it wasn't as sheer. It was also much too long so I cut the rod pocket and large hem before redoing them in smaller, less bulky half inch widths. The entire curtain width was then pleated from the center front and under the arms with larger pleats in the back for full dramatic effect. It's still longer than the dress but it's free to sash shay! Although my running back stitch along the cape top was neat, I trimmed the entire boat neck with a silver metallic ribbon also originally from the Dollar Store. It's just a fun bit of sparkle that ties it all together! Although I found blue bias tape from a grab bag in my ribbon drawer that I could use on the slit and the hem, a simple turn up with hem tape will suffice as her height changes. It's sheets, so why waste quality trim? As I suspected, the off the shoulder boat neck also meant the cuffs were too long, so they were turned under with the remaining silver ribbon for a final panache.

This was great sewing practice, and this sound construction can be done in a larger size with better materials and real shiny fabric. Is this Elsa costume perfect? Heck no! The seams are ridiculous, the fabric free. My niece will probably lose interest in Frozen before she grows out of it! However for $4 bling and two days of what if and can do, this isn't that bad at all. Certainly you can tell it's sheets. This is much more a nightgown or dress up rather than a wear to an event costume. Fortunately, it's blue and it swishes. If we put on our toddler thinking caps, that's all that really matters.

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook and Instagram for more project photos or join me on Blue Sky! Persuse more Sewing and Thrifting in our YouTube playlist or browse our complete Kbatz Krafts Archive including:

Christmas Princess Costume

Cardboard Castle

Holiday Handprints

Joann's Fabric Haul Round 3! 🛒

 

Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz scores fabrics and jewelry findings on another excursion to a third Joann's Liquidation sale with discounts now between 40 and 70%! Because you can never have enough black or orange fabric, amirite?

Thank you for watching!

For more sewing project photos, jewelry making, and thrift haul videos, follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky! Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive or peruse more including: Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine Glam to Drab Lampshades Halloween T-Shirt Pillows Damask Blanket

A Magical Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron!

 

After my successful Medieval-esque Black and Orange Polka Skirt, it's time to fix the mistake on my First Black and Orange PolkaDot Skirt attempt. This shortchanged thrift fabric will now become a whimsical apron!

It should seem simple enough to take apart the mismatched skirt panel to reuse as the bib portion. However despite the pattern pinching limited fabric that led to the distorted skirt, my construction methods were sound and even meticulous. It took a day to seam rip the running back stitches! Although the fun tulle hem ruffle was going, the waistband would remain the same. I trimmed the two remaining skirt panels into a more rectangular rather than a-line shape before re-gathering them as the apron skirt. Again needing to reuse every inch of this autumnity material, that cut sliver was folded and stitched down to became the apron neck strap. Keeping the same liner also from the original thrift grab bag with this precious black and orange polka dot likewise meant there was room for two interior skirt pockets and two more pockets hidden at the bib top.

My top piece was very scientifically measured with a scrap piece of paper to get the shape needed. Finishing all my seams and attaching the two pieces together by hand took another night. Not only did I want a tight running back stitch, but in all my black stitching, I went around every orange polka dot. It just looked neater and cleaner than having stitch lines going thru the dots and calling attention to themselves. After reinforcing the waistband with top stitching on the bib, voila my little apron is complete! Obviously the possibilities for embellishment on a black and orange polka apron are pretty endless – from bat trim and black lace to Halloween gingham ribbon or bold orange rick rack. It's certainly tempting, however, making this apron too elaborate reinforces why I've never actually made aprons previously. I've always been baffled at the mid-century patterns that call for such elegant and fancy aprons because there entire purpose is to get dirty! This will not be used in the kitchen and I have old clothes for paint splatter. This apron will probably only be used during sewing time or as a fun pinafore accent to a family friendly October occasion like watching the kids bob for apples. It's practical, but too darn cute!

Though a practical item, this apron has inspired me to do more fun sewing projects. There's only a small patch of this material remaining, but it would be perfect for a cuff or collar on a black or orange blouse. Had I more of this black and orange polka fabric, I may have done the waistband as a tie instead of the skirt's original hook and eye closure. The bib top probably would have been completely fitted and more flattering, too. If you look closely at this whimsical weekend make, I'm sure it might be a little wonky or fudged in some places. However, I also would not change a thing about this apron. Not only is this the best use of such delightful but dead stock fabric, but this is a simple, anyone can do sewing accomplishment.

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook for more project photos. Though still on Instagram, we're mostly posting on Blue Sky! Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing projects including:

Purple and Pastel Costumes

5 Skirts from 1 Pattern

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

Bling Binge!

 

2024 was a busy year of writing, podcast, and video commitments and not a lot of sewing or crafts until the holidays. However, there's always time for some handmade bling!

The best of part of jewelry making is being able to fill a gap in my wardrobe or accessories with new earrings, necklaces, or bracelets – a dangle or pop of color to suit any neckline, sleeve length, or mood. I wear certain accent colors per season, so it's easy to see a purple gap in the winter, a red gap in the fall, or the need for festive holiday green and make something accordingly. I know what I want, make it, and wear it immediately! It feels good, I get compliments in public, so it's all win/win, right?

This January however, my jewelry-making process changed drastically when I began bling binging non-stop. This one bead at a time catharsis is something I can control now that the world has become so out of control. Instead of doom scrolling I've made dozens of new jewelry sets in a variety of combinations and colors. Upon realizing that some of these pieces were very similar to each other and some past me-made bling, I also created a spreadsheet chart coordinating which colors and metals had been done in each earring, necklace, or bracelet. Because I put a cross somewhere on most sets, I also made a checklist for what color sets have a cross where. It sounds silly as well as complicated, but apparently my prior handwritten list of what combinations I needed was not enough to avoid duplicates! There were more sideways cross charms then pendant styles in my bead stash, so I continued to make a cross bracelet in every combination possible. I wear a cross solely for me, yet thanks to the current administration, I also don't want to wear a more prominent cross necklace anymore lest people think I am one of these fake “Christians” who doesn't understand compassion for the suffering and marginalized as Jesus intended. Thankfully, a bracelet with a small cross facing inside the wrist is a creative comfort in such trying times. I give my bracelets a touch when encountering such ignorant people in the wild. It keeps my mouth shut!

Instead of seeing the need for something I wanted to wear right now, the goal of this binge became filling in all the color and style gaps in my handy chart regardless of my accessory season. Making my summer blues during the March gray? Gasp! Rather than going to buy specific beads, this forced me to use up the supplies in hand – including thrifted glass beads, broken vintage pieces in need of repair, and findings that have toiled around in the plastic sorting boxes for years. I did end up using a holiday Amazon gift card for some new wire and elastic supplies or lacking bead colors. Strangely however, this pattern meant that there are some me made pieces that I kind of don't really like. The sets that are too similar to one another frustrate me, and by time I get to wear the autumn orange, I suspect I may end up re-doing the items I dislike. February is my purple month yet one fireball purple set I made right on time to wear actually looks kind of pink, and I hate pink.

This did give me brief pause on my bling binge, hesitant to make a no good disappointment despite my current need for more silver and crystal style beadwork. Creativity is such a give and take these days! I work on something pleasing yet question it's worth. Fortunately, after the pink lackluster lull, I got my groove back recently with two sets made from Dollar Tree beads. Wood bead orange Easter garland was transformed into a fun autumnity set with a fifties vibe, and a bag of assorted tear drop plastic beads combined with leftover vintage glass beads and beaded Christmas garland form a dramatic necklace. Obviously iridescent rainbow plastic looks are not a replacement for a high end occasion, but it's a fabulous feeling to take it up a notch by wearing something totally unique. Further scoring some Joann liquidation jewelry findings has also replenished my stash, revitalizing my need to bling it every time political events make me want to scream. Slowly but surely I can check an item off my list and give myself a new elan inside and out.

You can still find my Kbatz Krafts Facebook Photo Albums and Instagram page, however I'd like to post more project photos here on the blog and move craft updates to Blue Sky. Peruse our Kbatz Kraft Archive for more bling including:

Joannand Thrift Finds 2.0

Going Green Holiday Jewelry

Jewelry Making Basics

Fashion and Jewelry YouTube Playlist

Joann's Haul & Thrift Finds 2.0 🛒

Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz scores notions and Jewelry findings at the Joann's closing sale before a somewhat disappointing adventure to the Thrift Store that nonetheless yielded some ridiculously orange sheets and a few DVDs!

Kbatz Krafts is now on Blue Sky! Follow our Facebook or Instagram for more photos and videos from the Kbatz Krafts Archive including: 

Previous Spring Joann Haul

Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt

Mending with Black Lace

It's a Cardboard Castle 

Green Holiday Jewelry

Spring Haul Videos!

 

Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz trekked to Joann Fabrics for some liquidation bargains & picked up a few holiday bits and golden bobs. Mind the fabric percentages and Thank You for Watching!

Although Kbatz Krafts is still on Facebook and Instagram, we are also now on Blue Sky! Peruse the Sewing and Thrifting Kbatz Krafts Playlist or browse the complete Kbatz Krafts Archive! 

Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz was right back at the Thrift Store for some kids clothing, costumes, black clothes bargains, and fabric finds!

More Sewing and Craft Adventures:

Christmas Princess Costume

Halloween Mystery Costume

5 Skirts, 1 Pattern Sewing Video

Pumpkin Ottomans

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

A Christmas Princess!

Emboldened by my sewing experiments in Pastels, I decided to make a Christmas frock for my four year old niece. Sensibly, just after Thanksgiving, as a surprise presented on December 12 for Santa Lucia Day – while wearing my Mother Christmas, of course. No pressure!

Previously in making that Mother Christmas Costume, I had cut off the fake fur from two red Halloween costume capes found at Goodwill. Now I again used the Butterick B4319 tunic pattern traced and cut from the bottom half of one cape. This left the upper portion as a new short cape, so I stitched a drawstring channel at the top and added the original fur scraps back around the collar using cumbersome but worthwhile invisible thread. The red tunic was also slightly more time consuming than the inspiring purple mock-ups thanks to using the invisible thread on the golden waist tie – ribbon left over from my Drab to Glam Lampshades with no inch to spare. This material is velvet costume cheap, too, unlined with unfinished seams. However I wanted any seen exterior thread to look somewhat nicer than the devil may care stitches on the play pretend purple frocks. Unfortunately I don't have many gold or yellow materials and notions. Lining the cape with a contrasting golden satin would have been so regal but I didn't have any!

Yellow is currently my niece's favorite color – as well as gold because as she says, “It's yellow, but better.” – and the embellished collar piece was actually a fabric Halloween crown I found clearance at Target for $1.50. Again the invisible thread was critical but by hand delicate to make sure it was secure. The back of the neckline has several pleats like the original purple mock-up adjusted for her size, but the short sleeves were gathered to be puffy for a vaguely historical silhouette. I thought of making a long sleeve with contrasting, epic medieval flair, but that can be an upgrade next year – maybe when I find some gold fabric! For me the piece de resistance was actually the impromptu head roll made with a found foam piece from my cardboard stash, leftover gold scraps from when I made a red and gold dress for my niece's mother twenty years ago, and the last of the reclaimed white fur. Dollar Store gold tubing and sparkle branches from previous projects and some random poinsettia florals with bells made for a festive hot glue finish.

When Mother Christmas finally visited this year (in my costume that is now so big the waist cincher barely held it in place but did I fix it knowing it had gotten too big last year? No.) my niece said she couldn't wear this Christmas dress because it wasn't Christmas yet. I convinced her to try it on in case I needed to fix it and then she was happy to give everyone magical holiday hugs before reading her Christmas storybook. On one hand, the costume is a little big even with the waist tie tightened in the back, which means she has room to grow into it by next Christmas when she might be interested in helping do further adjustments or more accessories and those sleeve embellishments. However, I was surprised that the dress was actually several inches short, with my niece already having grown in the few months between the earlier pretend dresses. Again, rather than cutting into the second red cape for lengthening ruffles now, I will save that until next year when I'll really need it! For a week's worth of work of holiday makes, my niece initially wore the merry ensemble for perhaps ten minutes. It also took me longer to get into my costume than for the time I actually wore it, but her hugs and smiles were worth it.

Having a holiday deadline on projects for others helped me creatively focus, but like the rest of my writing work in the past few months, these subsequent DIY articles have been slow coming. Who wants to read of silly sewing escapades in the 2025 we're facing? Come Christmas at my house, however, my niece was skipping around in her dress and cape, refusing to let go of the banana in her hand to take off the costume and go home. Maybe a basic tunic is tough to some, but anyone can make a wintry cape or holiday head roll. Such whimsy borne of the cheapest, leftover, found materials! I hope maybe we inspire you to find your own little enchanting, imaginative solstice – and to eat more bananas! You need your potassium.

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Instagram and Facebook for more project photos, crafts, and sewing adventures including:

Black and Orange Polka Dots 2.0

Holiday Handprints

Pumpkin Car Makeover

Reversible Red Skirt

“But Debbie...Pastels?”

 

Last year upon donning my Mother Christmas Costume for the second time, I asked my four year old niece if she wanted a holiday costume, too. However, this year when I mentioned it in August (to give me time to make something fancy), she didn't remember the request! Fortunately, she stayed with me a few times this fall, and amid playing dress up with her dolls, she became curious about the sewing machine. So naturally I pulled out a thrifted Butterick B4319 costume tunic pattern along with the purple cotton bolt seen in my Thrift Disappointments video and quickly drafted a mock-up gown.

I told her this would be practice pretend and not perfect, and heehaw, from now on I am referring to all mock-ups as “pretend.” She agreed that just a ye olde nightgown was fine and chose additional blue lace from another thrift grab bag which I used to hide the ugly seams and faded color creases in the fabric. She also spotted some shiny scraps from my older niece's costumes in my ribbon drawer and carried them around until I was ready to sew that sparkle around the collar. After basting she tried on the tunic and I was able to make sleeve adjustments and pleat the neckline to make the opening smaller. This meant there was still a generous amount of room to the tunic but she liked it that way. Next my niece chose a pink scrap that also came from a thrift grab bag (I wouldn't have cutesy materials if they didn't come in grab bags!) and now knowing her waist measurement, it was easy to run the top and bottom through the machine for a quick hem and an elastic channel. She also chose some sort of teal lace for this skirt, and I was able to use other goofy found thread colors I wouldn't normally use because she wanted everything rainbow instead of matching. Out of the mouth of babes!

Having these guidelines on my niece's size, I was able to make more play dresses and accessories even without her present, changing up the style or embellishments from the original tunic pattern. First came another purple dress, this time with a high waist elastic channel and shorter sleeves also gathered with an elastic cuff. I have plenty of elastic and bias tape to practice these techniques, and this made for a more flouncy gathered style dress that I decorated with gasp, pink lace. My niece said this would be her “Tea Party Dress” and she loves to play in these silly outfits. She says they are beautiful in only the way a four year old pronounces “beautiful.” However, I don't expect these to be as durable as real clothes, and I find them mostly...hideous. Not only am I aware of the unlined cheap material, unfinished seams, and fudging to fit hacks via disused supplies; but the pastels and pink or purple and teal with green and loud lace is certainly not my style. Isn't the entire point of sewing for me to be able to make the alternatives I want? Can I learn to practice better sewing from projects littered with mistakes unseen through the eyes of a child?

Thankfully, I'm not interested in making these purple play things to my usual perfection. My niece's size will change, and these goofy dresses can change with her. Longer flouncy sleeves can be added, the neckline gathers can be removed or the back seam opened and panels inserted. Ruffled tiers can create length and none of it has to be the best or color match and any magical patchwork will do. With these small scale frocks, I am using supplies and techniques I wouldn't normally utilize and gaining practice on a day's garment. Using the purple scraps from the bolt, I made a longer skirt with the same ruffles and elastic as well as a pinafore style apron – which I expect my niece will get the most use out of in our future crafting adventures. Something like an easy apron has room to grow and will carry the no fear paint, spills, and memories of what we make!

Is worry over poor fittings and lacking durability holding you back from making youth clothes? Fear not I say! With rapid child growth I'm not sure I want to make proper finished clothes for my niece. Why spend so much time on that when everyone can have fun with ruffles, lace, and....pastels? 🤨

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Instagram and Facebook for more project photos or read more sewing adventures:

Another Halloween Dress

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

5 Skirts from 1 Pattern!