Fire-Breathing Fancy

What do you do when your five-year-old's imagination is on fire?  On Fi-yah!

You fan the flame.

This year for Halloween, Charlotte ordered up a frightening feat; that is, a costume I had no hope of purchasing -- and it was the week before Quilt Market.  Last year she dreamed up a Bat Fairy.  This year, she was intent on a fierce, fire-breathing Dragon. 

The day after Charlotte was born, my sister, Julia came to visit us in the hospital.  While holding Charlotte for the first time, Julia leaned over to me and whispered, "The baby just told me something.  She said, 'I am my own self.'" 

I was puzzled and dismissive at first, "Yeah, whatever."  Then a tetch concerned (knowing Julia and her knack for such things).  "If that's the vibe my sweet little baby is putting off already, then I'm in for it," I thought, "especially once she's a teenager."

So, how much stock can you put in the proclamations of a one-day-old baby?

Perhaps, some.  Julia, with her freaky, awesome sixth sense, was right again. Charlotte could have been named Scarlet for all her fiesty, charming individuality.  She is her own self: uniquely creative, thoughtful, sweet, sassy, and notably interesting.  I was looking forward to what she would come up with this year.  A dragon, though a tall order, was no surprise.

One bat of her eyelashes and a quick, sincere squeeze was all it took.  And I was off on her quest.

At TJ Maxx, I found an oddly dragon-like mermaid dress to build upon -- a huge blessing.  With this running start, I gathered up a smorgasbord of fabrics with the same flavor and set about designing the beast's head -- no headdress, no dragon.

The foam alligator hats I grabbed from Dollar Tree were a great help.  (Before photos here.)  I would have otherwise structured the headdress with Timtex, but that might have zapped me for time.  (I only had two days to complete the costume, wrap up some work, and pack for a 9-day trip.)  I stacked two or three hats & quickly stitched them together for strength, then extended the gumline by covering the foam teeth with bias tape.  I built the dragon you see here on top of this frankensteinian monkey business. 

And it worked.  Thank heaven.  Furthermore, the hood turned out light-weight and comfortable, so Charlotte actually kept it on.  Bonus, right?

As it turns out, Charlotte's I-am-my-own-self singularity is a complete delight.  Worthy of celebration, not dread.  Her obvious enchantment is worth every stitch, and then some.

Comments

[Chris]

Wow. What a fabulous costume, perfect for Charlotte. I am duly amazed and impressed with both of you.

[Jona]

The costume came out beautifully and she truly is her own self! Aren't you afraid her costume requests are just going to get more and more elaborate (I can see it coming!)? :D

[Shealynn Benner]

Freaking fantastic!

[Jody]

Wow, that's pretty amazing! You are very talented!

[Laurel H.]

Charlotte can be her own self, because YOU are able to help her achieve it. Masterfully executed, Heather.

[heather from arizona]

i love how you can think outside the box to create this! Who else would have layered alligator hats from the dollar store to make a dragon head?! inspiring!!

[Christina]

What an awesome costume! I love it! The colors are fun, and of course the headdress is awesome. I can't to see what she comes up with next year. ;)

[Kelly]

Amazing!!! ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Cindy]

That is one fancy dragon. She's ownin' it too.

[Inner Pickle]

gosh and I thought my Gruffalo for bookweek was art. THIS is AWESOME.

[Heather Roe]

simply...Wow!

[shannon]

love it and the purple striped tights really make the outfit.

[Jenniffier]

That is great! I am sure she will always remember it. My mom made me a unicorn costume one year and it is one of my favorite child memories. I hope she gets a lot of enjoyment out of the costume.

[fiberdoodles]

Absolutely adorable!

[Heather {WhipperBerry}]

I LOVE it. You are one talented lady!!

Kisses
Heather from WhipperBerry

[Jeanne]

Wowzola lady!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!

[Diane]

The first picture is the best. This costume can be a cornerstone memory of her childhood. You can tell by the picture how great she feels. You will likely seldom achieve this pinnacle of satisfaction and happiness again and I would advise you to carry that top picture with you at all times. Some days likely when she is a teenager, you will want to remind yourself of her happiness with herself and you at that moment. Do not ever get rid of that costume. You have given her a gift so much more than the costume. She is very lucky.

[this is carrie]

Amazing. And there must be something about "Charlotte's" because mine is the same way. :)

[Lynn]

you definitely win the coolest mom award this year - it is amazing!

[~amy~]

WOW....absolutely fantabulous!

[Kelly Irene]

Wow, Heather! The costume is brilliant! I am sure she will treasure that for a long time.

[Lindzie H]

This is amazing. Great job and thanks for sharing!

[Lisa]

Wow, this is a pretty amazing transformation from that original alligator head.

The finished costume screams great craftsmanship and imagination.

Great photos too.

[Amy]

She is a lucky girl to have a Mommy whom can keep up with her imagination!

[kathryn]

I think she needs a shirt that is stitched on it "I am my own self", and then I would order another one for my daughter who is also very much in the could have been named 'Scarlet' department!
The costume is pure awesome, just full of pizazz and oomph! I love it and I bet Charlotte did too!
You are such an inspirational Mommy!

[catherine]

Too funny, i thought I was the only Mom with a creative "I am my own self" daughter who loves bats and dragons :0) But since I can't sew...she had to settle for a witch this year!

[susan]

Holy Cow! That is one awesome costume! You are such a great mommy!

[Heather]

You are so amazing! That is one of the best costumes I have ever seen. Great job!

[Amy]

Awesome!

[Kellie]

I love it! It's completely fabulous!

[Heather Gaines]

You ROCK!! No...Charlotte ROCKS!! Hmmm...the Heather/Charlotte team ROCKS!! She's so lucky to have a mother who nurtures her need for self. I have four children and one of my girls is exactly like Charlotte...completely and uniquely her own person.

LOVING the costume btw!

[Sweet Baby Jamie]

She is amazing, just like her mommy!!! I love that costume, and the fact that you can appreciate Charlotte and embrace the creative talent she is!!!

[Doris]

I used one of those alligator/dinosaur heads from the Dollar store to make a Frankenstein head this year. Your dragon is amazing!

[Sharlet]

Love the costume, Charlotte is lucky to have a mother who can create such a incrediable costume.
I too am a Charlotte, but spelled my own unique way, Sharlet. I like having a name that has not been over used it makes me different and I like that

[Seanna Lea]

I love the costume. It is girly and tomboy-y at the same time with a huge amount of spunky!

[make me a cake]

This is like "Project Runway" "quick! make a Halloween costume from something you can find at The Dollar Tree! You've got 2 days! " keeps the mind supple. and girl, you won the prize! "Guten Tag"

[elinor peace bailey]

What a fabulous strutter of her stuff is that young lady Charlotte. The Beautiful Heather has done it again. Created a spectacular world for her amazing little girl. I suspect a very proud daddy captured the moment. Love Grandma

[saskia]

That's a gorgeous costume! xx

[Jen Tufts]

Incredible! I love the total transformation and the way that C obviously loves it! Well done and thanks, as always, for the inspiration!

[margot]

this is such an amazing post. both for the story and for the beauty in the costume and your daughter! yay for both of you!

[Lori]

I know what you mean about that delight. I made my daughters Word girl costume per her request. When she put it on and started jumping around the living room yelling at invisible villains (with a slight smile on her face- think Cheshire)- I knew every stitch was worth it!

I know my girls would go crazy over this costume. You are so gifted Heather.

[Chase]

That is quite possibly the coolest costume I have ever seen. Seriously.