Another fabulous handmade Halloween is in the books! This year Arden chose to trick or treat as Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6 and Hadley went as a Unicorn.
Honey Lemon evolved from a first request for a generic scientist. While I was willing to make up a lab coat and accessories, I didn’t think it was very exciting. We talked about different real life scientists like Marie Curie or Jane Goodall, and then somehow wound up at Honey Lemon.
But not the superhero version, she very specifically wanted the Honey Lemon from the laboratory, as she describes the “chemical metal embrittlement” process and explodes the pink ball of carbon into a powder. I think we nailed it, right? I used spray on hair color on her hair, safety glasses and face, and picked up Holi or Color Run powder to toss all over her lab coat.
Let’s talk about the sewing for this costume: The main feature is the lab coat, which originated from a very not lab coat pattern: I used Jalie’s Classic Pyjamas #2686. I lengthened the top significantly and squared off the collar and lapels. I also made one size larger than I would for sleepwear so it would go comfortably over her clothes. I used a cotton twill blend from Jo-Ann Fabrics that was the perfect weight for a lab coat. This pattern worked like a dream and turned out exactly as I had envisioned. And bonus, I can make pajamas for the girls and myself using the same pattern!
The yellow dress you see peeking out is a mashup of my United and Divided Dresses. I wanted a simple a-line dress with sleeves to keep it warm, but I didn’t want the divisions that are a feature of the Divided Dress. So I stole the sleeve and armscye from the Divided Dress and used the plain bodice of the United Dress, keeping the pockets. And I shortened it about four inches for the 60’s mod length Honey Lemon sports. The leggings are a cropped Flash Leggings. I nabbed a cute pair of yellow shoes from Livie and Luca on Zappos to complete the look. Arden was a bit put out that they weren’t platform heels, but I reminded her that she wouldn’t be able to navigate the sidewalks and steps as easily in heels. The headband is a freebie from Pickle Toes Patterns.
Next we have Hadley as a not-so-little Unicorn.  I don’t remember the evolution of this costume, other than she’s been on a unicorn kick this year. We 100% knocked off my friend Alexia’s costumes she made her twin daughters, right down to the same wig from Amazon.
I picked up all the fancy fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabrics. The under layer is a polyester dupioni, then a gorgeous irridescent sequin fabric, and a sturdy chiffon for the overlay. I grabbed a fun braided trim that you’ll see on the bodice to tie it all together. The pattern is the Isla Eve by SnazzieDrawers, which have rebranded to Ivy & Hive. I only used the bodice, and I did have some difficulty with the fit. There wasn’t a size chart in the version of the pattern I have, so I thought I’d be safe making the largest size 10 for Hadley, who has a 28″ chest. I made the bodice and I could. not. get. it. on. her. I tried it on Arden who has a smaller 27″ chest, and who also has a smaller waist: couldn’t get it on her either. A friend showed me that her pattern did have a size chart, but it should have fit according to what she showed me. After I cooled off for a night, I rescued the bodice by inserting a 6″ panel in the center back. It almost looks intentional.
The skirt is a circle skirt cut with the waist brought off center for a high-low dress. The sequined layer was a bit of painstaking cutting – I removed the sequins from the seam allowance on the waist, and then removed any that got cut as I formed the circle skirt edge.
I made little cuffs from faux fur, and the headband is the one she made at her birthday party. She got sent home from school a little early with a low fever, but she powered on for trick or treating.
Photo opportunity of the two of them. I had planned to go to one of the more elaborately decorated houses for pictures. As usual, we were kind of harried getting ready to go, so on the sidewalk out front had to make do.
Both costumes should see continued use. The Unicorn dress is really just a fancy dress if you don’t add all the accessories. The yellow dress and leggings are pretty standard attire for Arden, and the lab coat can be worn for dress up or for visiting Daddy in the lab for Take Your Daughter to Work Day.
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope your ghosts and ghouls enjoyed their evening as much as we did!
Such great costumes! It would never have occurred to me to extend a pajama top to make a lab coat–so clever!