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I do Disney pattern #1557

8/6/2013

9 Comments

 
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Actually, I've done quite a lot of Disney.  Simplicity has had the Disney license for a long time and I often am the one asked to turn their artwork into a wearable thing.

As a toy designer I've done many movie "tie in" toys ranging from Muppet Babies, X-Men characters to Lord of the Ring collector figures.  When doing this kind of work everything has to be approved by the licenser, in this case Disney.  

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Back in the 80s when I was still at McCalls I did this pattern.
There are a couple interesting/funny things I can tell you about the pattern above.  First, it was my introduction to polar fleece.  I don't think there was anything being made with it yet, but it was the perfect material for these costumes.


This was the first licensed pattern I'd done for the sewing industry and I approached it like I would a licensed toy first enlarging the illustration as much a possible, then drawing a grid over it and using a proportional scale to transfer the measurements of each portion of the character correctly from drawing to costume.

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This is a proportional scale.
Because I was expecting to get these costume back for corrections and changes from Loony Tunes, I had sewn things with large stitches so it would be easy to take apart and fix.  Well, unexpectedly they liked my first sample.  And even more unexpectedly they decided to have some models wear them on the Today Show.  AND while the model wearing the Sylvester Costume was dancing around on camera the big red nose popped off right onto the floor ... oh well ... it got a good laugh!

They send style books with artwork from several different angles and sheets with the exact colors to use.  These are the same style sheets used by anyone making products using the licensed character, whether a night light or stuffed toy. But this time, if I remember right, the sheets for this project didn't arrive and I had to find as much information on line as I could.  The first fabric swatches I sent in were for a dark green. I couldn't tell the right color with the images I was finding on line, but Disney wanted teal.  The only fabric I could find with the correct shade was crushed panne velour, which Disney liked.  Color for them is more important than fabric type.

In the old days we had to send in the actual costume for approval and we would get back a sheet with very specific changes they wanted. Now everything goes via the internet and photos are sent.  But they still have the final say.  

Here are some more Disney costume patterns I have made over the years, some are still in the current catalog.
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There is the classic princesses for adults ...
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You can dress your 18" doll as a Disney princess. This is currently available.
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and girls, still in the catalog.
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and you used to be able to dress Barbie up, too. But, alas, this is out of print now.
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There even used to be these same classic princesses for babies. My favorite is the baby Snow White.

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Doing this pattern last year, I learned about a whole new world of Tinkerbelle spin off characters and the little girls who love them.

This is currently in the line.


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A couple fun ones from the past ...
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Buzz came complete with "power" back pack.
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This one has a good story.
Models are hired after the costumes are all finished.  Modeling agencies send potential models over to try on the costumes to see if they fit and who they look best on.  The story goes ... the kid who was chosen to be Captain Hook was the only one who would wear the wig!


I've always been told being agreeable is an important part of getting hired in any job.  It really counted this time.
9 Comments
Beth Klimek link
8/6/2013 05:32:15 am

I just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying reading your posts! It's really great to learn about the research that goes into your designs, and the inside stories that happen because of them are such fun. I've liked all your other posts too - there's a lot of crossover in our sewing/crafting/costuming libraries!

Reply
Andrea
8/6/2013 09:58:30 pm

Thanks Beth! I'm having fun learning this blogging thing and I've got lots of stories. I hope I can keep it up.

Reply
Ginger
8/6/2013 12:35:21 pm

Wish I had a little girl to sew for, those are so cute!
I came across an old Star Wars costume pattern on ebay that I think you designed. Your job must be very fun.

Reply
Andrea
8/6/2013 09:59:59 pm

Yes, it is a fun job, but as with any job it can be stressful getting projects in on time and having things approved. Overall, I feel pretty lucky, though.

Reply
Mary
10/17/2013 02:38:44 am

Found your page and I'm hoping you can help me. You seem to be the perfect person to ask - you do wonderful work! I have the Merida costume pattern and I am stumped on the "v" at the collar. I have read the pattern a couple of times and it just doesn't make sense to me. I'm attaching the collar to the dress and it says to baste the "v"? This is really getting frustrating and I'm hoping you can guide me in the right direction. It would be greatly appreciated!

Reply
Andrea
10/17/2013 04:53:10 am

I haven't seen Simplicity's instructions for this costume. I did make the pattern and samples but someone else writes the instructions. The "v" must be the little notch in the front of the dress and the collar is a separate piece that gets tacked in. So maybe they just want you to baste the "V" to keep it flat and out of the way when putting in the gathered collar thing that's supposed to look like an underdress. If this doesn't make sense. Send me a message from the contact page. After I answer you, you can send me a photo to better show me the problem you are having.

Reply
Mary
10/28/2013 01:21:16 am

Hi Andrea,

I did figure it out after all. I just needed to step away from the directions for a day and then re-read them. The collar piece is fairly simple to put together but the directions are lacking. Once you sew the collar piece to the dress, you need to make that "V' part. You do that by basting to the point of the "V" and then sewing the "V" itself and then basting from the opposite point of the "V" to the other edge of the collar. This way you can clip the "V" to make that part of the dress.

rose
10/28/2013 01:16:40 am

I am having the same problem understanding the instructions for the neck part. Maybe you could post any feedback you sent in answer to mary's question?

Reply
Jessica
10/25/2014 11:29:55 am

Thank you for these patterns. My daughters, ages 9, 12, and 14, decided to be Disney Princesses this year. The youngest is the "working" Aurora - easy piece together, middle is Merida (your pattern), and oldest is Rapunzel (a McCalls pattern). I have to say, the McCalls was easiest to sew, but still looks "costume-y". The Merida Simplicity looks spectacular. I used an old gold color silky satin for the ruffles and the sleeves and it turned out spectacular. I have to say thought, it has been a long time since I have sewn a Simplicity pattern and I do not find them easy. I don't sew clothing very often, although I do know how. Simplicity seems to leave a lot of details to the experienced seamstress. I had to read the directions multiple times. Especially on the ruffle collar and the gauntlets. And the V notch at the bodice was missing directions to use the v-interfacing reinforcement. The finished product is very very beautiful. It took me about 16 solid hours from start to finish. Whew.

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    From Andrea 

    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
    The water is fine!!

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