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 🙂
How I love a talented Mum, Flea looks fab! Mich x
My Mum rocks, it’s true 🙂
Does your Mum do alterations? I need my trousers taking in… I have flowers…
She does, but I charge commission.
Pippa, that comment made me laugh out loud (LOL as David Cameron’s fond of saying)
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.
You can’t say that about your Mum!!
Genius! You forgot to leave us your Mum’s address though? 🙂
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!
I think she secretly loved it, but it was a LOT of work.
Fantastic! Do you take orders?
Oh yes, but I require commission in biscuits.
I’m not sure who’s the more brilliant – your Mum, or you!
Mum. Definitely.
Very cunning indeed! I love the sleeves, very effective.
She did good, didn’t she?
I love the ‘special scissors’! Your mum did a great job at following your instructions!!
I suppose you’re going to tell me special scissors have a special name, or something…
hjesus you had me worried for a moment…..
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 🙂
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.
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!!!
Aw, thanks. You do realise you have a very odd view of me, if you think I could be a seamstress, though…