Princess Jasmine Costume

This Halloween I searched for the perfect costume, but due to my body type just nothing seemed to fit me right or look very flattering. I was really discouraged and did not know what I was going to wear on Halloween. On Tuesday I was at home looking through some old pictures I found one of myself and my sister when I was about 5 dressed as Jasmine. I don't exactly know why but in that moment I decided that is what I wanted to be! I got out a piece of paper and started drawing exactly what I wanted the costume to look like. I didn't want to go for the traditional Jasmine costume and I wanted her to look very unique! On Wednesday I went to JoAnne's Fabric and AC Moore and I found everything that I would use to create my costume.
The Bodice: I took an old bra I had that I don't wear very often anymore and started by sewing the blue fabric onto it, making sure I stretched out the bra as much as I could so I would get that beautiful gathered effect, and so it would still fit around me. Then, I took my gold ribbon and just outlined the bra and blue fabric. I used the scraps of my blue to create the straps. I put elastic on the top and bottom of the strips to create a gathered affect and so it would continue to hold me up. Then I put the gold ribbon on the top and bottom of that as well. Finally, I grabbed the gold embellishments I bought at AC Moore and sewed it to the top and bottom of the straps. I placed the bra on myself and pinned the straps exactly where I wanted them. Then I just sewed them in place.

The pants: The pants were a bit harder because I did not have a template to go by and I did not sew it onto anything. I started by getting a pair of pajama pants, folding them in half and tracing it onto one side of my fabric. I made sure to give myself about an inch of extra room on all sides. I then cut out the fabric and sewed both pieces with the right sides together from the bottom to the crotch of the inner leg. With that done, I then opened the fabric completely and pinned them together again right sides facing each other. I connected the two sides and sewed the outside of what would be one leg, and then another. I then hemmed the bottom of the two pants legs. To add some color and texture to the pants, I grabbed some more of the extra solid blue fabric I had and sewed it to the top of my pants. I then hemmed the top of the solid blue fabric making sure there was still enough room so I could fit the elastic band into it. After feeding the elastic through the pants, I cut the extra elastic off, sewed the ends together, and finished sewing the upper hem shut. Lastly, I took the embellishments bought at AC Moore and sewed the center embellishment on by hand. Then taking the strands of beads I sewed them onto the sides of it for more effect.
I have never felt so confident and beautiful in anything I have ever worn! Everywhere I went, and anyone who saw my costume stopped me and asked where I bought it because it must have cost me a fortune! When I told them I hand made it they were all shocked and told me that I was very talented and gifted. I even had a few people ask if I could make their costumes next year; which I said would not be a problem! One woman even told me that I should change my major from education and history to Fashion Design!
Growing up I was always made fun of for being smart or ugly or fat and to this day I still have a lot of problems with my self esteem and I am very self conscience. I am constantly worried about how I look or how clothes fit me and it’s a very unsettling and awful feeling! However, this Halloween I felt absolutely phenomenal and I did not feel self conscience in the least; I truly felt like a PRINCESS! My costume is 90% homemade, and the only thing that was store bought completed was the bra. It took me a total of 10 hours to make this costume on Wednesday, and I could not be more proud of it! I feel as though my completion of this project stands as a testament to those who are constantly bullied or just cannot get over their feelings of low esteem; they are beautiful, talented, and perfect! Today I woke up and felt so great about myself, something I haven't felt in a while and I cannot wait to make something else!