Sweet Pea Fashions Pattern Hack: Wrap & Tie Fairy Dress

Looking for a cute costume or dress up outfit for your doll?  Find out how to make a whimsical fairy costume with this clever pattern hack from Jane of Sweet Pea Fashions!

Giveaway Update:  Our winners are Susan and Pam who had some very clever costumes!  Thanks to everyone who entered!

           

(Click on the cover image to find the pattern on Pixie Faire.)

One of the best things about the Wrap & Tie Halter Dress is its versatility.  In this pattern hack, we are going to use the pattern as the basis for a cute fairy costume. 

While these instructions show an American Girl®-sized dress, you can also use them with the WellieWishers™-sized pattern.

Here’s what you will need:

  • Sweet Pea Fashions Wrap and Tie Dress pattern
  • Knit fabric in the amount to make the short version (I’m using a two-way stretch knit faced with foil)
  • Tulle in the amount to make the short version
  • Lining fabric for the bodice
  • A pattern for wings and the necessary fabric to make them
  • A pattern for panties and enough of your knit fabric to make them
  • Ribbon to match

 


Cut out the pieces for the bodice from the knit, the tulle, and the lining fabric.  Cut the skirt piece out of the knit and the tulle. 

After cutting out the pieces, fold the skirt pattern in half, and in half again.  Make a mark at the bottom of the skirt pattern piece in the center.  Measure about halfway up each of the two folded sides of the piece and make another mark.  Connect the marks with a slight curve.  Cut the pattern on the curve.  Keep the pattern piece folded.

Fold the tulle and the knit for the skirt in half three times so that you have eight layers.  Pin or clip the folded pattern that you just modified to the folded fabric.  Cut the skirt along the lines you made.

Follow the instructions in the pattern for making the lined bodice, using the tulle and the knit as a single piece, and using the ribbon for the straps and ties. 

It is not necessary to hem any of the edges of the skirt.  Follow the instructions for gathering and attaching the skirt, treating the knit and the tulle overlay as a single piece.  Attach the skirt to the bodice, and make the buttonhole.

Using your favorite pattern, make a pair of wings.  Put the dress on your doll. 

Pin the wings in your desired location on the back of the dress above the waistline.  Mark the location where the wings should be attached on both the wing and the dress. Mark the wings where they meet the ribbon strap around the neck.

Make a buttonhole on each wing at the location you marked at the neckline.  If you don’t want to make buttonholes, you can make thread loops on the wings.  Attach the wings to the back of the dress.  Make sure that you are attaching the wings to the side of the bodice where the buttonhole is located. 

Make a pair of trunks for your doll from the knit fabric using your favorite panty pattern.

To put the fairy dress on your doll, thread the waist tie through the waistline buttonhole, and tie around the waist.  Thread the neck straps through the buttonholes on the wings, and tie behind the neck.

 

Giveaway Time!

How would you like to win this delightful fairy outfit?  Jane is giving away one American Girl®- sized outfit and one WellieWishers™-sized outfit to two lucky winners!

Costume parties are so much fun! To enter, leave a comment below finishing this sentence...
"The best costume I ever wore was....."

We'll pick a winner on Monday, September 11th, and get in touch via email.  Thanks for entering and good luck!

For Pixie Faire,

Jane & The PF Team


53 Comments

ju
ju

April 29, 2018

I went a as a pumpkin to a party made from bendy wire and orange crepe paper to make the pumpkin then I had a leaf hat green tights and black plimsolls. I was 9… could not sit down lol but was great!

Rae Wolfe
Rae Wolfe

April 23, 2018

I would love to have this adorable pattern and signed up come time ago. How do I manage to have this one Please. Rae

Nancy
Nancy

October 27, 2017

My favorite costume was a pilgrim costume my Mom made me when I was around 10. I still have it.

Debra
Debra

October 27, 2017

A Raggedy Ann costume that I made myself. I am (was) a natural redhead so I just put my hair in braided pigtails. I won two costume parties and was a big hit at work on Halloween. :)

Linda
Linda

October 27, 2017

I remember dressing like a hillbilly. My hair was in braids and I had freckles painted on then I wore a pair of my older brothers overalls.

Maureen
Maureen

October 27, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was the year I dressed up in my Grandmother’s clothes and went as a little old lady!

Janet
Janet

October 27, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a “mixed up” costume. We were at work & everyone brought in shirts, jackets, scarves, hats, jewelry & we put them in a pile & came up with fun, funky costumes.

Sophie T
Sophie T

October 27, 2017

The best costume I ever wore is the 18th century Watteau dress I made myself; I wear it for Halloween, but also for 18th century festivals… and even turned the under part as a pirate costume for a pirate event, and all our family won the prize for the best costumes!

Kathy Kauth
Kathy Kauth

October 27, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a flapper dress and hat and jewelry.

Kelly Pilkinton
Kelly Pilkinton

September 12, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was one of the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. The costume included a hand-dyed brown leotard, a crushed-velour stretchy body suit with long sleeves, a long swishy tail fortified with wire to make it curve just right, and matching mittens, big fabric ears on a detached hood that tied under the chin, plus filmy gossomer wings that tied around my waist. My mom made the costume and used her make-up to make my face look very monkey-like. Boy, it was fun! Sure wish I had a photo of that one. ?

Karla
Karla

September 09, 2017

The best costume I wore was a yellow crayon complete with cone head gear. Generally made the kids outfits and my daughter loved being a computer made out of a box..that worked well until we had to get into the car ? Have a grand daughter now that would benefit from wings and pixie costume. Thx for great patterns

Jo
Jo

September 09, 2017

The Halloween costume that I remember most was when my sisters and I used old lace curtains as a base, hand sewed rows and rows of ruffled crepe paper on it., then gathered it around our waist. Our Mother helped us conjure up a hoop skirt made from hangers and strips of an old sheet. We though we were Southern belles ready for the dance.

Sonja
Sonja

September 09, 2017

Not commenting for the competition, just want to say thank you for this tutorial, it’s so simple and so clever!

Becka B.
Becka B.

September 08, 2017

I’ve worn quite a few, but the most memorable and favorite one I remember was a gypsy costume I put together out of my grandmothers and my mothers items as well as a few things I picked up at a garage sale over the summer. I learned how to tie thank you for my grandmother during the summer, and planned all summer buying little items until I had the perfect outfit, all way in time for Halloween! The best part about it all is that my churches Halloween party I won first Prize for my gypsy costume. :-) I think that’s the most memorable one I ever had!

Bonny
Bonny

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a cheerleading uniform from high school.

Janice
Janice

September 08, 2017

I was pregnant and went as an organ grinder. I painted a box with polka dots and made a handle on the side. My husband dressed up as a monkey. We won a prize for most original.

Carolyn
Carolyn

September 08, 2017

My best costume was as a Biker’s woman. I wore genuine bikers jacket, wallet with chain, , long black wig, black jeans, painted tattoos up and down my arms, headband – and apparently looked so tough that several of my friends would not even talk to me at the party. Most people did not recognize me. I loved the look so much that I used my photo of that evening as a Christmas card for several good friends.

Renee Nikula
Renee Nikula

September 08, 2017

The best costume I wore was a fire photographer that my brother in-law wore for his work of taking pictures of fires on long island. Complete with a fireman’s coat, hat and camera!

Pauline
Pauline

September 08, 2017

The best costume wasn’t one that I wore but it was the skunk costume that I made my first grand-daughter when she was 9 months old..back in 1994..`so many kids wore it over the years and it’s worn but still going strong..

Erin D
Erin D

September 08, 2017

My favorite Halloween costume was Princess Leia when I was in kindergarten. My hair was even long enough for the braided buns!

Pam
Pam

September 08, 2017

Back in the 70s our local radio station had a costume contest. My husband and I dressed up as Planet of the Apes which was when then movie came out. We had latex mask pieces which were glued on and filled in with makeup. And I made costumes to go along with it. Wouldn’t you know another couple came dressed up exactly the same and they one first place because they played the part better. We came in second though and won a 10 speed bike! Ahhhhh! The memories!

Feriba
Feriba

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a fairy godmother .

Jenny S
Jenny S

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a Minnie Mouse costume to match my littlest niece when .I took her trick or treating!

Jil
Jil

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a lady vampire – everyone at work love it. The next best costume I ever wore was a mama piggy – using pick long underwear I added curly tail from chenille pipe cleaners, and used baby bottle nipples stitched down the front with small stuffed pig attached to one of them, I made pink ears from felt and put them on a headband… it too was huge hit.

Jil
Jil

September 08, 2017

Love this idea! This pattern can be used in so many ways – a fairy being one of them. I need to go shopping!

Leslie
Leslie

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a Juliet costume my mother helped me make for my high school English class. She even helped me make the hat to go with it. I still have it- it still fits. I love this fairy doll costume!

Cynthia
Cynthia

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a dryad. I found couple pairs of old sheer curtains in shades of brown that I pleated into a tunic and added some fake ivy for a belt and sash. It was all done by hand, since I hadn’t brought my sewing machine with me to college! A friend painted more vines on my face and arms, I tucked a wreath of more ivy in my hair, and off I went to party!

Marion
Marion

September 08, 2017

A clown outfit.
Marion

Joan
Joan

September 08, 2017

A daffodil costume made out of crepe paper. My grandmother made it.
Joan

Linda
Linda

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was just a couple of years ago for a party and I went as coupon queen. I dressed in black party dress and stapled coupons on dress and princess crown. everyone loved it and I won first place in contest.

Duana
Duana

September 08, 2017

THE BEST COSTUME I EVER WORE WAS…an Elizabethan Court Gown to a Ren Faire…people thought I was the Queen. LOL

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a few years ago. I had found a really cool piece of red flame organza, that I made into a sheer dress over yellow satin. A manicurist did my nails like flames. I went as Fire and my husband went as Ice.

Mrs. T
Mrs. T

September 08, 2017

My dad’s Navy uniform!

Susan Hebert
Susan Hebert

September 08, 2017

I worked at a blood center, and my office mates and I dressed as vampires at a disco named Veinous Access!

Kim H
Kim H

September 08, 2017

the best costume I every wore was a renaissance costume that our great Aunt made for her daughters and my sister and I got to wear them on Halloween.

Jacqueline
Jacqueline

September 08, 2017

The best (and simplest) costume I ever wore was a clear plastic bag with arm and leg holes cut out. I filled the body with small, inflated balloons of every color and was a walking, talking gumball machine! Great fun, but I couldn’t sit down while I was in costume…..!

Elona
Elona

September 08, 2017

This summer I took my mother back to Ontario for a family reunion. As the eldest living sibling at 98 with 3 surviving siblings from a family of 9 there were lots of stories and reminiscing. As she considered herself the “old crow” of the roost I made her a crow costume and she greeted everyone wearing it the evening of the family dinner. She was the hit of the party. It will always be a wonderful memory. She “cawed” her way through the whole venue, much to every ones enjoyment. It was worth the many hours of sewing fabric feathers!!!!

Marilyn
Marilyn

September 08, 2017

A man’s suit. I dressed up as a man with bits of hair glued to my face for a beard and my hair slicked back with black spray on hair dye, no one recognized me, it was a hoot.

Arlie
Arlie

September 08, 2017

Best costume I ever wore was the E.T. costume my mom made me years ago. Fully padded and embroidered it was beautiful and intricate! Job well done mom! Many thanks!! Love you!!

Vicki
Vicki

September 08, 2017

I always sewed costumes for all six of my children. They loved each and every one of them and it gave me much pleasure to do so. Best of times!

Julia M. H
Julia M. H

September 08, 2017

One Halloween me and my sisters all dressed up as F.B.I agents. We had badges and pictures of our pastors that we showed to people at the Trunk or Treat at our church. It was so cool, and really funny to see their reactions… My mom spent the whole afternoon putting yellow letters on jackets for her 5 girls… :):)

T.A.D.
T.A.D.

September 08, 2017

…madame of the harem.

Donna Deters
Donna Deters

September 08, 2017

The Best costume I ever wore was my mom did not sew for me but i sewed for my two kids.

Sandra
Sandra

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a seaside outfit. I miss understood the idea of a beach costume and using a yellow sheet I added a crab, starfish seaweed and shells to a blue panel at the bottom. I though it looked very much like a beach. The only problem was they were looking for a swimsuit or other beach dress, I really was the odd one out!

Candace
Candace

September 08, 2017

My mom is a terrific sewer and as a kid I remember her making a Sylvester the cat costume. The headpiece was hot and interesting to look thru but it was the coolest thing to wear. And no one else had anything like it. Some of her friends also borrowed it over the years. But like all well loved items, it finally did wear out much to our dismay. And the pattern disappeared in one of our moves.

Melanie
Melanie

September 08, 2017

Back in the ‘70s, when people bought those horrid costumes with the plastic masks for kids, at about 7 or 8 years old I decided I wanted to make my own costume. I chose to be a bride. Back then I’d seen plenty of princesses and had even worn the princess costumes with those awful masks, but I’d never seen a bride costume. I used my mother’s old wedding dress, which had been damaged and was useless as a wedding gown, anyway, so it was cut down to my size and I did dress up as a bride! One of the first brides, perhaps? I don’t know. But I loved it!

terry
terry

September 08, 2017

I guess I’m not a very creative person, lol. I simply wore black leotards, a black body suit with a long attached tail, ears on top of my head, painted up my face up with a black nose and whiskers, and simply called myself a black cat. It was a contest at the bingo I attended once a week. All the dressed up people marched around the room to show off their costumes, the non-costumed folks voted. I won third prize. I think the first and second place winners must have had more friends there than I did, hahaha. Anyway, it was tons of fun.

Thresea
Thresea

September 08, 2017

I made a candy corn costume that was fun.

ET
ET

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was an Elf one I made for myself by modifying a couple of patterns that my grandmother must have gotten in the 50s or 60s. It came out almost exactly how I had planned it.

Junice
Junice

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was when I had a cast on my foot and we had to find something to go with it. The girls I lived with helped, they put me into a white scrub dress, ace bandage on my head, my arm in a sling, and a black eye to make me look like I had been in an accident. We took a city bus to the Halloween party, and people could tell what real & what wasn’t.

Sarah
Sarah

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore is hard for me to pick. I would have to say the year we dressed up as Indians and it snowed so we had to have coats and boots (gotta love NY mountain weather!) and to make up for it, we did extra heavy war paint on our faces so people would know who we were. It kind of came off, we were a bit pink striped for days after!

JERI
JERI

September 08, 2017

The best costume I ever wore was a scarecrow. Mine wasn’t very impressive but my younger brother wore a really curly blond wig. When we went trick-or-treating at my grandparents’ home, my aunt kept insisting that he was my younger sister, Janet.

Mary Rayburn
Mary Rayburn

September 08, 2017

A Miss America costume complete with ribbon and tiara when I was 9 months pregnant.

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