Sewing Dress-up

35 simple costumes to make for parties and dress-up games, with pull-out full-size pattern sheets

35 simple costumes to make for parties and dress-up games, with pull-out full-size pattern sheets

Children love to dress up, whether it's for parties or just for everyday fun. If you want to add to your dressing-up box without spending a fortune, Emma Hardy has designed 35 magical costumes that will satisfy every child. Whether you have a little princess or a superhero in your family, or your children favor the traditional roles of cowboy, pirate or nurse, there are ideas here that are easy to make and much more effective than shop-bought outfits. All the favorites are included, such as animals—a lion, a ladybug, a dinosaur—and fairy-tale characters from Red Riding Hood to the Gingerbread Man. Two pull-out sheets are included with all the full-size patterns you will need, and there's a techniques section so you can brush up on your sewing skills. Your children will love these costume makes, and when the party's over, you can add them to your dress-up cupboard at home for many more hours of fun.

Emma Hardy is a stylist and designer who has worked on various lifestyle and interiors magazines, including Country Homes and Interiors and Marie Claire. Her books include Quilting in No Time, Sewing in No Time, Super-Cute Doorstops, Sewing for Children, Making Children’s Clothes, and My First Sewing Machine Book (all CICO Books). Married with two daughters, Emma lives in south London, UK.