Handmade Oktoberfest Costumes

 Last year we got invited to an Oktoberfest party at our neighbor's house.  The invitation said "lederhosen optional".  Knowing my neighbor, I should have known he was joking!  Everyone was dressed up, except for us.  This year, I was determined to get us all dressed for the occasion.

 The kids outfits were pretty easy.  I made a simple elastic waist skirt for my daughter.  I used this tutorial for the waist and drafter the rest of the skirt from a skirt from my daughter's closet.  I added a simple rectangular apron and finally used some of the embroidery stitches on my sewing machine.

 The top is another rectangle with straps and a velcro closure a the back.  I used a narrow bias tape for the lacing on the front.

 The boys' outfits were even easier.  I bought each a pair of pants at the thrift store ($2 each!), cut them into shorts, and used the extra fabric to make the decorative pieces.  For the little boy, I used black elastic for the straps.

 I used felt for the embellishments and hot glued them in place.

 

Since I am the seamstress, I decided to use an actual pattern for my dress.  I bought McCalls M6187.  Be fore-warned if you are considering this pattern, the envelope is deceiving.  The envelope makes it look like the pattern includes both adult and children's sizes.  So the first time around, I just grabbed one, not realizing that it was only kids sizes.  Had to go back and get the adult size pattern.

I made a few modifications to the pattern to make it more flattering on my small frame.  I took quite a bit of fullness out of the skirt, cut the apron smaller and drafted my own, less full sleeve.  The bodice is fully lined and was a bit of a challenge.  Ultimately I figured it out and really like the dress.

 We had a great time at the party and made a pretty cute German family.

 

Unfortunately, I couldn't convince the kids to use these costumes for Halloween too.  And, though I planned on wearing my dress for Halloween, it most likely will be waaaay too cold.  So my husband and I are planning on being popcorn and a stick of butter.  Gotta get working on that....