Dressing babies up is the best! I decided that a Star Wars photo shoot would be the perfect gift for Daddy for Father's Day. Unfortunately, I decided this with only three days to spare.
Since my idea was so last minute, I had to put together an outfit very quickly. I rifled through my fabric drawer and found an old, white pillowcase.
Since my idea was so last minute, I had to put together an outfit very quickly. I rifled through my fabric drawer and found an old, white pillowcase.
I figured it was the perfect size for a baby dress. So I started cutting. I didn't really get to into the details. I just cut a general shape. I figured this would probably be the only time the baby would even wear it. To get an idea, I showed a picture with the general cut lines I used.
Once I had the outline cut, I used my sewing machine to sew up the necessary edges.
Then I turned the dress inside out to see what I was working with.
I did end up having to cut a little line down the back to get it over her shoulders, but I used a safety pin to pin the top back together and it worked out really well.
As for the wig, I got a little creative. I used a combination of brown yarn, brown felt, and some Velcro. I sewed it together, but it could have just as easily been hot glued. I listed the steps below since it was a little more complicated than the dress.
As for the wig, I got a little creative. I used a combination of brown yarn, brown felt, and some Velcro. I sewed it together, but it could have just as easily been hot glued. I listed the steps below since it was a little more complicated than the dress.
Princess Leia Wig
Materials:
Brown Yarn
Brown Felt
Velcro
Elastic Band
Sewing Machine
Hot Glue Gun
Brown Yarn
Brown Felt
Velcro
Elastic Band
Sewing Machine
Hot Glue Gun
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Start by cutting your Velcro the length you need it. I wrapped the soft side around my baby's head to measure the length I would need. I left it about 2 inches short of wrapping the whole way. Then I cut a piece of the other side of the Velcro (the hooked side) about 4 inches in length. The idea is for the shorter strand to connect the ends of the larger strand together at the back of her head/neck.
1. Start by cutting your Velcro the length you need it. I wrapped the soft side around my baby's head to measure the length I would need. I left it about 2 inches short of wrapping the whole way. Then I cut a piece of the other side of the Velcro (the hooked side) about 4 inches in length. The idea is for the shorter strand to connect the ends of the larger strand together at the back of her head/neck.
2. Cut a piece of felt out and sew it onto the strand of Velcro that it going over baby's head. The soft side of the Velcro will be what touches the baby's head and the felt is what will cover the Velcro so you can't see it. It also provides a little more room to work with sewing the yarn on.
3. Cut a piece of elastic that will stretch down the center of the back of her head.
4. Sew the top of the elastic to the center of your Velcro and felt piece.
5. Repeat Step 2 and cover the top of the elastic with another piece of felt and sew it on.
6. Start on the yarn. I cut about 20 strands about a yard long each. They will represent the hair that's parted on top and the two buns on the side.
7. Once you have your strands, fold them in half to find the center point. Then place that center in the middle of your felt and Velcro contraption and sew them on. NOTE: The felt side should be facing up and your yarn should be sewed onto that side. This is the side you will see once the wig is completed. The side with the Velcro will face down and be the side touching the child's head. The thread line down the center will make the yarn look like hair parted in the middle.
8. Next, cut enough strands of yarn to cover the exposed strap of felt. These strands only need to be about 14-16 inches in length. They will not go into the buns on the sides.
9. Sew the strands onto the felt right down the center. It should look just like parted hair.
10. Once all the yarn is sewed on, move the longer strands of yarn out of the way. You can twist them to keep them together. Take the ends of the shorter strands and reach them up to the felt pieces on either side. They will form somewhat of a triangle. This step is hard to put into writing, but the picture should help. Sew a line along the felt to secure the strands to it.
11. Tuck the loose ends under the felt and Velcro and sew them down again. If you are having trouble sewing it because of the thickness, just use a hot glue gun. Then snip the excess ends off. Do this on both sides.
12. What you have now should resemble the back of someone's hair with a part down the center. Now take the long strands of yarn on each side and cover up the top of the wig so you don't see where you tucked the shorter strands under the felt. Sew the long strands down at the two ends of your felt. It should start to resemble a wig with pigtails on each side.
13. Gather your long loose strands on either side and twist them together and around to form buns. I used a piece of thread to tie the ends together and a glue gun to secure the buns down. Make sure the ends of the Velcro sticks out so you can secure the wig onto baby's head. Cut any loose strands.
14. Attach your small piece of Velcro that you cut in step one to the ends of your longer piece to create a full circle.
You should now have a Princess Leia wig!
I used a long piece of rope to tie around baby's waist to give the dress a cinched look. Then we took lots of pictures for Daddy. We ended up with a really great Father's Day gift. By far one of my more creative gift ideas. Perfect for his first Father's Day ever!