KIDS CHARACTER FISH COSTUME

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Note: This template has been scaled. You will need to print this template at actual size and blow it up by 175% to make it full size.

Smock

Step 1

From the template provided, cut out:

• 2x hood pieces from navy polar fleece
• 1x front smock piece on the fold from navy polar fleece
• 2x back smock piece from navy polar fleece
• 2x outer eye pieces from soft blue polar fleece
• *20x scale pieces from navy polar fleece
• *12x scale pieces from white polar fleece
• *11x scale pieces from soft blue polar fleece
• *6x scale pieces from turquoise polar fleece
• *6x scale pieces from grey polar fleece
• *8x scale pieces from purple polar fleece
• *8x scale pieces from mauve polar fleece

*Approximate number required, may need more or less depending on personal preference of layout

Step 2

Overlock or edge finish the side, middle back, base and shoulder raw edges of the front and back smock pieces.

With right sides facing, pin together the two back smock pieces along the centre back edges. With a 15mm seam allowance, sew edges together below the indicated mark on the template. Press seam open and then press under the seam allowance above top of the mark. Hem the top opening of the seam by top stitching 1cm in from the edge.

Cut 2x 25cm lengths of ribbon. Pin one ribbon to each inside of hemmed opening 1.5cm down from top neckline edge. Sew in place over hem stitching.

Step 3

With right sides facing, pin the front and back smock pieces together along the two shoulder edges. With a 15mm seam allowance, sew edges together. Press seam open.

Cut 8x 25cm lengths of ribbon. Aligning the raw edge of ribbon with the side edge, pin a ribbon length to each side of the front and back smock pieces under the arm hole as per indicated on the template provided. Stitch in place 5mm in from the edge.

Measure down *24cm from these ribbons, and attach another ribbon on the side edges in the same method.

*Alter this measurement to fit the child

Step 4

Fold under 15mm along all long side edges of the front and back of smock. Extend ribbons at the sides out from the smock and sew hem down all side 1cm in from edge.

Fold under 25mm along the base edges of the smock and sew hem in place 20mm up from the base edges.

Step 5

Starting at the front, lay out the smock right side facing up. Measure up 10cm from the base hemmed edge. Pin 4 scales along the width of the smock with the top of the scales at the 10cm measurement. Space out the scales evenly from edge to edge, overlapping the scales on the right side.

Measure up 10cm from the top of these pinned scales, and pin another row of scales, this time using 5 scales, centring scales and trimming any excess scales to the side edge of smock.

Repeat this method, alternating scale rows up the whole height of the smock, leaving the top at the shoulders free of scales for now. Trim any excess scales on the neck and armhole edges to the smock edges.

Look at layout of scales, and adjust and move any coloured scales to desired layout.

Once happy with layout, starting at the base row, lift up the row of scales above it and then sew the scales to the smock front by sewing across the width of the smock 1cm down from the top of the scale top edges.

Repeat to attach the rest of the scales, slowly working up the smock front.

Step 6

Repeat the same method to attach the scales to the back of the smock, ensuring the rows of the scales line up at the sides of the front of the smock before sewing the rows down.

To create a neat finish at the shoulders, pin scales to the shoulders, spacing to fit in with scales below. Pin the scales together from the back and front where they intersect at the shoulder seam. Remove and sew these scales together, trim seam to 1cm. Press open

With the seam side facing down, place scales back onto shoulder of smock and pin the shoulder seams together. Sew scales to smock through all layers along seam line. Trim away any excess scales to the edges of the neck and arm holes.

Overlock the neck and arm hole edges to finish, catching in the edges of the scales where needed.

Hood

Step 7

With right sides facing up, lay out hood pieces flat side by side.

Pin soft blue outer eye pieces onto hood pieces as per placement indicated on the template Top stitch in place 3mm in from outer edge.

Fuse a small amount of Vliesofix to the back of some white and black fleece or felt scraps.

From templates provided, trace 2x circle outer eyes on to the backing paper on the white fleece or felt, and 2x pupils onto the black fleece or felt. Cut shapes out.

Peel off backing paper and place glue side down on top of soft blue inner eye on each hood piece as per template. With a pressing cloth, fuse in place with iron. Top stitch eyes in place through all layers.

Step 8

Sew darts into hood pieces. Trim dart to 5mm and overlock or edge finish cut seam.

With right sides facing, pin hood pieces together along back curved edge. Sew together along curve with a 1cm seam allowance, press seam open.

Overlock or edge finish along all the outer raw edges of the hood.

Cut 2x 25cm ribbon lengths. Pin each ribbon length to the inside front edge of the hood. Stitch ribbon in place through all layers.