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Prince Charming Costume Tutorial (from Cinderella)

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Be sure to add your homemade Halloween costumes to the you made it/love it flicker group here.  I will be posting many of the photos here, the day before Halloween.  I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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My kids are little.
 
So they still don’t have a strong opinion about Halloween costumes.
 
So of course, I coordinate their costumes…….while I still can.  
And before my girl thinks it’s too dorky to match her little brother.  
Because kids hate that, right?
 
 
And because my little girl was so set on being Cinderella (costume found here), I asked my little boy if he’d like to be Gus Gus the mouse (he has the perfect cheeks and belly for that!) or if he wanted to be Prince Charming.  And because his big sister was going to be a princess, and because every day he wants to do exactly what she is doing…….Prince sounded most like Princess, so I think that’s why he quickly chose Prince Charming.
 
But come on, what’s cuter than a little boy in a suit?
 
And even better……..a Prince Charming suit.
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Complete with a sword to fight off the bad guys.  And dragons.  And witches.  
(All of the villains he knows from the Disney shows.)   

“Hiiiii-ya!”  (so maybe that’s what a ninja says……but at the last minute, that’s all I could tell him to say.  Now that’s what he says every time.  Ha.)
And what’s a fancy prince, without those shoulder fringe-y things?

Edited: A reader let me know that those spunky little shoulder pieces are called epaulets.  Oh, the things I learn on here!  Thanks Rebekah!

And of course he needed a fancy belt to hold his razor sharp sword.  
(Or plastic one from Wal-Mart.)
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And some detailed pants.
 
 
 
But remember Prince Charming, you must always be on guard and ready for danger………to protect your princess.
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And fight off any evil who approaches.
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Even if the danger approaches you from up high.  
(You know those flying dragons, they can sneak up on you.)
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This suits allows for all heroic type movements.  
So fight on, Prince Charming.
Interested in making your own Prince Charming suit?
Or using the details to add onto an already made coat?
 
Remember, tips from this tutorial can be used for many prince style suits and Halloween costumes.
**Warning:  I tried to fit in every step so there are tons and tons and tons of pictures and explanations.  So be patient while scrolling through, if you already know how to do a certain technique. :)

 

I started to make the suit jacket like I do many of my made-from-scratch clothing items,  by using the shape of another piece of clothing that fits, as a guide to make something new. (some examples here, here, and here  I used this button up shirt as a size guide, knowing that it was roomy enough for a coat.
 
I purchased a yard of this white polyester fabric, knowing that it was sturdy enough that I wouldn’t have to line it.  (A yard was plenty to make this for my size 2T wearing boy.)
 
 
 
I traced around the bodice of the yellow shirt and created a paper pattern to use.  (Make sure to include a 1/2 inch seam allowance and several inches to the bottom to make it a longer jacket.  I added another 2 1/2 inches to the bottom on top of that, for a big hem allowance.)  
 
I also actually added about an inch to the inner side of the paper pattern to use to cut out the two front pieces to the jacket…..leaving enough room for the overlapping button section that goes down the front.  (See the pencil line?….that was my guide for the back piece of the coat.  And the full pattern piece is for the 2 front pieces of the suit.)  I cut out 2 pieces for the front of the jacket, then cut the back of the coat on the fold of the fabric, using that pencil line as the guide. 
(Hold up your paper pattern to your little model, making sure that this pattern will be about the right size with added seam allowance, before cutting fabric.)
 
 
Then, I cut out two panels, that were about 3 inches wide, that were cut out with the same contour as the inner side of each front piece.  (These panels will be used for stability for the opening of the jacket.)  So here is the back jacket piece on the left and the two front pieces on the right, with the two panels laying on top of the front pieces.
 
 
Now, trace around your sleeves, and make a pattern for the sleeves of your jacket.  (Make the wrist area of the sleeve a bit larger in circumference than a button-up shirt.  Because button up shirts are a bit pleated above the cuff and have a button opening for little hands to get through.  Your jacket will not.)  Also, make sure to add a 1/2 inch around your paper pattern for your seam allowance. 
 
 
Then cut out 2 sleeves the same size, making sure to cut on the fold.  Also, be sure to cut the sleeves long enough for a 1 inch hem at the end of the sleeve (cuff area).
 
 
Set the sleeves aside and grab your bodice pieces.
 
Now, with right sides together, I sewed the narrow panels right to the inner edges of the front pieces……using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Only sew right along the long inner edge.
 
 
Then fold under the opposite edge of each panel a 1/4 inch, then another 1/4 inch, then sew in place.
 
 
Then place each front piece on top of the back jacket piece…..with right sides together and sew along the top of the shoulders and along each side.  Now your jacket will start taking shape. 
 
 
I used a 1/2 inch seam allowance for all of the seams, then used an overlock (or zig-zag) stitch along the raw edges.  Trim if necessary.
 
 
Then turn the jacket right side out and iron all of the seams flat.  And as for the 2 panels along the inner edge of both front jacket pieces?  Fold them over and then towards the inside of the jacket, creating a double layer for button holes and more stability to the front opening of the jacket.
 
 
Now, set the bodice aside and grab your two sleeves.  Keep them folded in half, with right sides together and sew along that inner edge.  Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, then finish off with an overlock or zig-zag stitch.
 
 
Now, turn the bodice inside out and sleeves right side out and slide each sleeve into the arm hole openings of the bodice, matching up the side seam of the bodice with the side seam of the sleeve.  Pin all along the opening of the sleeve.
 
 
Sew the sleeve to the bodice using a 1/2 seam allowance.  Then use a overlock or zig-zag stitch to finish off the raw edges.  Trim if necessary.
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Then, I turned the jacket right side out and top stitched around the sleeve….but on the bodice side of the sleeve and included the raw edges of the joining fabrics underneath.
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Now, onto the mock-collar section.
 
Cut a long strip of the same fabric, that is long as the top of the jacket is, and add an inch for a seam allowance.  And make your strip as wide as you think will look nicely at the top of the coat (depending on what size jacket you’re making) and then double that.  For example, I wanted my mock collar to stand about 1 1/2 inches high.  So including a 1/2 inch seam allowance on each side, I cut my strip 4 inches wide.  Then I folded and ironed it in half long-ways.  Now it’s 2 inches wide and then after it’s sewn onto the jacket, it will stand 1 1/2 inches tall.
 
 
Then, I turned it back the other way, sewed each end closed using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, then turned it back and ironed it flat again.  So then I had a mock collar piece that was 2 inches tall and as long as the top opening of my jacket.
 
 
I placed the collar (with the fold along the bottom and the raw edge along the top) along the top edge of the open jacket, with right sides together.  It should reach from one end of the opening to the other……with raw edges all along the top.
 
 
Then I sewed along the upper edge, attaching the collar to the jacket, using a 1/2 seam allowance.  Then I finished off the raw edges with an overlock stitch and trimmed a bit.  Then I folded the collar up and sewed a top-stitch along the upper edge of the jacket, including the raw edges underneath in my stitch.  I also sewed along each long edge of the front opening of the jacket.
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Then I folded under the bottom edge a 1/2 inch, then another 2 inches and ironed it in place.  Then I hand stitched the hem in place.  I didn’t want a huge visible seam along the bottom hem.
 
 
Next, I made 3 button holes along the front of the jacket, with the 3rd button being an inch above where his belt would go.
 
 
Then I hemmed up sleeves by folding them under a 1/2 inch, then another half inch, then sewing them in place.
 
 
Now, onto the jacket embellishments.
 
I googled ‘Prince Charming’ online and found this costume of the Prince Charming at Disneyworld/land and decided to use many of its components on my little mini suit.
 
I really liked that gold swirly detail and the brass buttons on the front of the jacket (from the link above), so I bought some gold trimming that was like a cord and twisted it around on the front of the jacket to see what would work.  Then I used a pencil to mark where I would be attaching the gold cording.
 
 
Then I sewed right on top of the gold cording, a little bit at a time, attaching it to the jacket.  This takes some patience……so go slowly, or use a glue gun.  Ha! 
(Also, I used a lighter to melt each end of each cord section.  Otherwise it would have unraveled.   
Use caution while doing so.)
 
 
Then I added my brass buttons to the front of the jacket.
 
Now, onto the cuffs.
 
I wanted red cuffs like seen in the link above, with a bit of a point on one side.  Like this:
 
 
And if you plan ahead, add this detail before sewing up the sleeves and adding them to the jacket.  I just wasn’t sure of my plan yet.  But it’s a lot easier to attach before the sleeve is assembled.
 
But you can keep it straight and skip the point.  But since I wanted the point, I cut out pieces of fabric that were strips, but had a point along one side……right at the middle  I cut two of each shape for each sleeve (making sure to cut them a few inches longer than the opening of the sleeve, for a seam allowance).
 
 
 
Then, with right sides together, I sewed each piece together along the top and the bottom, leaving both ends open. 
 
 
Then I clipped of each tip and each curve, turned them right side out, then ironed them flat.
 
 
Then I attached them to the sleeve with the point exactly opposite the inner seam of the sleeve.  I only sewed along the bottom of the cuff….
 
 
And overlapped the back, folding under the top raw edge.  Sew into place.
 
 
Now, back to the collar.
 
I made a tube that was an inch longer but not as quite as tall as my 1 1/2 inch tall mock collar.  I sewed the tube, turned it right side out, and ironed it flat.  
(Need help with making a tube of fabric?  Click here for more info.)
 
 
Then attach the tube to the outside of the collar, tucking under each raw end and sewing all along the outer edge of this tube.
 
 
Then attach velcro to the opening of the mock collar
 
 
I found another type of trim at the fabric store that I then added to the collar…..but forgot to take an up-close picture of the trim on the collar.
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Now, onto the shoulder fringe-y things.
 
 
I first decided how big to make my rounded shoulder pad section and then added a 1/2 inch seam allowance to the rounded side and an inch to the flat side.  Then I cut out 4 pieces in the red and 4 pieces in felt.
 
 
Then I cut out some gold fringe that was long enough to go around each rounded edge of the red fabric.
 
 
Then I sewed the finished edge of the fringe right to the outer edge of the red fabric, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Allow all of the fringe pieces to accumulate in the center, making sure to not sew over any of the pieces.
 
 
Then place 2 pieces of felt down, then the fringe piece the fringe facing up, then another red rounded piece on top of that.
 
 
Then sew all the way around the curved side of all 4 pieces…….leaving the flat end open.  And use a 1/2 inch seam allowance again.
 
 
Then turn this piece right side out.  And to be honest, it takes a bit of work and maneuvering to turn it right side out because of all of those layers.  But you’ll get it!
 
 
Then decide which side you’d like face up, then sew the open edge under an inch and then sew down flat with a few seams.
 
 
Then attach your shoulder pieces right to the jacket, centering them along the top shoulder seam of the jacket.  I sewed another seam that was parallel to the 2 already existing seams along the straight side……and then sewed a curved seam about a 1/2 inch away from the curve of the shoulder piece.
 
 
Now for the belt.
 
I created a long tube that would be long enough for my little guy’s waist, plus a few extra inches to overlap.  I hemmed up each end and then added velcro to each end.  Then I sewed on some gold ribbon right down the center of the belt.
(Need help with making a tube of fabric?  Click here for more info.)
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Quick and easy.
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Whew.  The jacket is now done. 
 
Onto the pants.
 
I cut out the pieces for the pants by using another pair of pants as a pattern.  
(Need help with this concept?  Click here.)
 
 
Then I sewed them together, making a simple elastic waist.
 
 
Then I added more of the gold trim that I used for the mock collar but added 2 rows of it along each side of each pant leg.
 
And that is it.  
 
Did you make it through?
 
If so, your little man is ready for his noble duties.
And now Cinderella and Prince Charming are ready for the ball.
 
And Halloween.
 
 
Remember, don’t forget to check out all of the old ideas from the virtual costume parade from last year……especially if you’re stuck on ideas of what to make for this year’s costume.

Ashley Johnston

Administrator at Make It & Love It
Ashley Johnston is a professional DIY costume maker, sewist, crafter, and owner of Make It & Love It. She is a mom of 5 and a wife to a very patient (with the craft clutter) husband. In case you’re wondering, she always chooses crafting/sewing/designing over mopping/dusting/wiping base boards……but bathrooms/laundry/full bellies are always attended to. Whew!

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Hi, I'm Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!

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