One of Flea’s favourite extra-curricular activities is a stage school which she attends on a Saturday morning and this month saw her first big show – in which she played an owl.
We’ve had several weeks of practice and learning of lines, and at the last rehearsal before the big show, I bumped into the nice lady who runs the stage school.
We chatted briefly and it was explained that the stage school had managed to buy costumes for all the characters except one – the owl.
“I could only find one owl costume, and it looked a bit sinister,” she explained. “Would you mind making one?”
Given that I am to sewing what McDonalds is to healthy eating, you might be surprised to know that Flea attended the show, one week later, in a MARVELLOUS owl costume.
Want to know how to make an owl costume of your very own? Here’s a simple tutorial:
You will need:
- 1m of lightweight black fabric
- 1m of lightweight gold fabric
- 1m of lightweight white fabric
- white thread (loads)
- 1 sheet of cardboard, A5 sized
- 1 large bunch of flowers, various colours
Step 1:
Using scissors, round the corners of the cardboard until it resembles a filled-in U shape.
Step 2:
Using the cardboard as a template, draw around the U shape on the white cloth, and cut out the resulting shape to make a single feather. Use special scissors to make crinkly edges, so the fabric doesn’t fray.
Step 3:
Take the fabric, including the single ‘feather’ round to your Mum’s house. Explain that you need approximately 200 of the feathers to be cut out of both the white and gold fabric, and stitched onto the black fabric, which needs to be fashioned into a cloak.
Step 4:
At this point it is CRUCIAL that you give your Mum the flowers.
Step 5:
Leave for approximately three days, and return to your Mum’s house to find – hey presto – an owl cloak. Perfect.
PS – Thanks, Mum 
About Sally
Sally is a full-time blogger and founder of the MAD Blog Awards and the Tots100, a community of almost 5,000 UK parent blogs. She is also a busy single Mum to Flea, the world's coolest seven year old.
How I love a talented Mum, Flea looks fab! Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted..Photo Story – The Girls 5th Birthday treat….
My Mum rocks, it’s true
Does your Mum do alterations? I need my trousers taking in… I have flowers…
PippaD @ A Mothers Ramblings recently posted..Big Boy – The Diabetic
She does, but I charge commission.
Pippa, that comment made me laugh out loud (LOL as David Cameron’s fond of saying)
Richard recently posted..Honey I Burned The Shredder
Wow, that is truly awesome! Your mum rocks. Your crafting skills sound like mine, however my mum is proper shite so I have to muddle on. I dread the day I have to make useful things like costumes. I hope Flea had an ace time at the show.
Trouble Doubled recently posted..What does an employer look for in a nanny?
You can’t say that about your Mum!!
Genius! You forgot to leave us your Mum’s address though?
incy recently posted..The Mozart Effect.
Ha! She’s mine, all mine…
Ha ha, great post!
Thanks!
Genius. Dexter has given me a year’s warning tonight that he needs a Knight’s costume. A year’s warning. That’s how bad this year’s Roman costume was.
High five to your Mum. Can I have her number?
I recently offered to sew a badge on Flea’s beaver uniform and was told, “Don’t we need grandma for that?”
Rude.
Fantastic. The costume looks great too. If your mum is anything like mine she enjoys helping out in situations like this so it’s win, win all round. Oh, and good delegation skills!
One Mother’s Notes recently posted..Don’t you just love it when…
I think she secretly loved it, but it was a LOT of work.
Fantastic! Do you take orders?
Kelly Wiffin recently posted..Marriage
Oh yes, but I require commission in biscuits.
I’m not sure who’s the more brilliant – your Mum, or you!
Kate @ UpsideBackwards recently posted..Mysteries
Mum. Definitely.
Very cunning indeed! I love the sleeves, very effective.
Mum of all trades recently posted..Home, where my thought’s escaping
She did good, didn’t she?
I love the ‘special scissors’! Your mum did a great job at following your instructions!!
Domestic Goddesque recently posted..How to make a Coffee Filter Peacock
I suppose you’re going to tell me special scissors have a special name, or something…
hjesus you had me worried for a moment…..
northernmum recently posted..Summer holidays: Time to move on…..
Ha! I’m predictable, I know..
We’ve been thinking about trying out stage coach but you’ve put me off if there might be sewing involved, yikes! My Mum is too far away and I’m still waiting for the bedspread she’s making me as a wedding present (just had my 12th wedding anniversary!), bless she’s a busy lady
Amanda Balmain recently posted..Furry Friends
I think it was only because the owner couldn’t buy it that she asked me to make something – hopefully it won’t be a regular thing!
I love it a craft post from Sally! Well from Dallas. You mum is a real gem.
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted..Raising Olympians #RaisinganOlympian
I am TOTALLY the next big thing in craft blogging.
“Given that I am to sewing what McDonalds is to healthy eating…” I am laughing so hard that tears are pouring down my cheeks!!! You have that effect!!! No I could actually believe that someone who is so clever with words could also be a master seamstress… Clearly all your talents went one way!!! Thanks goodness for mum!!!
se7en recently posted..Se7en’s Celebrities: Sesame Ellis by Rachel Devine…
Aw, thanks. You do realise you have a very odd view of me, if you think I could be a seamstress, though…