Belle – BEauty and the Beast (“Something There” Dress)

Made for: MTAC 2007

Background: Thought this one would be fun to make 🙂

Journal Entries: Read more at my Winter Belle tag

Related Costumes: Belle Ballgown 2005, Belle Village Dress 2012, Library Belle, Belle Ballgown 2012

Patterns Used:
Not sure, possibly Butterick 3864, altered, for the skirt. Simplicity 9887

Dress:

I had the hardest time finding fabric I liked for this costume, but finally settled on various pieces I found locally – the bodice section is cotton, the lightest pink is a matte satin, and the mid-tone pink on the skirt was some sort of cotton blend. I used one pattern for the top – I lined it, and added boning. The skirt I made using a basic skirt pattern – it’s only two (really big) panels, pleated to fit the waist. Then I sewed that to the bodice. For the stripe up the front, and around the waist, I cut that out of the light pink matte satin, pressed the edges over, and sewed it on.

The ruffle around the bottom I cut out, hemmed, and gathered and attached. The ruffle at the sleeves I used a pattern for. The shoulder wrap is just a tube of fabric, thinner on the ends, tacked onto the front.

Cape:

The cape I made out of some velvet I already had. I used a pattern for the cape part, made the capelet separately (it’s removeable). I handsewed white trim onto the edges. (And it got everywhereeee.) The cape closes at the neck with a hook and eye.

History:

I’ve only worn this a couple of times, once at MTAC, once at Dragoncon that year (I took no pics of it!) and for two photoshoots. In 2015 I made a 18th Century Inspired Version, but I’d love to do another cartoon-faithful remake. I have some fabric bought for that, but no other movement right now.

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