PARROT CAPE COSTUME

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Step 1

From the template provided, cut out:

• 2x hood pieces from felt- red
• 1x cape piece on the fold from felt- red
• *22x feather pieces from felt- red
• *23x feather pieces from felt- royal
• *20x feather pieces from felt- emerald
• *15x feather pieces from felt- daffodil
• 2x beak pieces from felt- daffodil
• 1x each top feather from felt: small- emerald, medium- daffodil, large- royal
• 2x of each eye hood insert: outer- white, inner- emerald,

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

Step 2

With right side facing up, lay out cape flat. With washable marker, draw a curved line 6 cm up from the base curved edge of cape. Next draw another curved line 10 cm up from the first drawn line. Repeat drawing another line 9 cm up from the last, then a final line 8 cm up from the previous drawn line. These lines will be the feather row placement lines.

Step 3

Starting at the first base drawn line, starting from one side, layout royal blue coloured feathers with the top of the feathers along the line, with the feathers overlapping in one direction covering the base of the cape. Add more feathers if desired.

Pin along the top of feathers and then sew in place 1 cm in from the top edge of feathers.

Step 4

Repeat on the next line up with the emerald-coloured feathers, layering and overlapping the feathers the same as the first row. Ensure that the top stitching of the previous row is not seen. Add more feathers if desired. Sew in place.

Continue method for the next two rows, daffodil coloured feather next, then red coloured feathers.

Step 5

Lay out the remaining red coloured feathers in the same direction along the gap at the top of the cape all the way up and over the neckline edge. Pin in place. Trim overlapping feathers back to the same edge of the neckline. Sew feathers in place 5 mm in from neckline edge.

Tack the end feathers to cape at the front opening side edges.

Step 6

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

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

Layer inner insert eye piece on top as per template, pin and sew in place through all layers.

Step 7

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

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

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

Step 8

Turn one hood piece over with the wrong side facing up. Place top feathers to top edge as per desired, and baste in place 1cm down from the top edge.

Sew darts into hood pieces. Trim dart to 5 mm.

With wrong sides facing, pin hood pieces together along back curved edge. Sew together along curve 5-8 mm in from outer edge. Remove any visible basting stitches.

Step 9

Sew beak pieces together 5 mm in from outer edges. Place the beak at the front center of hood between the eye inserts and pin in place with 1 cm of the beak to the inside of hood. Sew in place to hood between eye inserts, 5 mm in from hood edge.

Step 10

With right sides facing, pin hood to cape neckline. Sew together with a 1 cm seam allowance.

Seam can be neatened by overlocking, zig zag stitching or encasing in bias binding trim.

Cut ribbon length into 2 x 35 cm lengths.

Pin each ribbon length to the inside edge of where the hood and cape join. Stitch ribbon in place through all layers.