Costume planning for Halloween

I thought you might all enjoy a look at what I'm working on right now. This time of year, if I have my act together at all, I try to get a pattern finished that might work for anyone wanting to make a Halloween costume.

This Marie Antoinette costume pattern from the 1930s has 16 pieces and I'm grading it into several different sizes (32-46" bust) so I had to get a big head start on it - especially knowing how long it might take the average dressmaker to work on in time for the end of October.

This style was popularized by the brilliant style icon Margorie Post when she wore a custom Marie Antoinette costume to her fancy dress party in 1927. McCall answered the growing demand for costume patterns by releasing this one for the home seamstress in 1929-1930.

This pattern can look rather intimidating until you break it down into three separate garments - each becoming more approachable on their own. 

1. A princess seam bodice with lace-trimmed sleeves.

2. A rather charming short hoop skirt worn underneath and stiffened with a simple channel of featherbone.
3. A rather fancy skirt with some pleats and gathers.

Not so scary after all...