Ladybug Girl & Doll Costume

Pattern Enlargements:
 
Large Spot
Cut 2
Pattern at 100% for doll
Enlarge 200% for girl
 
Medium Spot
Cut 2
Pattern at 100% for doll
Enlarge 200% for girl
 
Small Spot
Cut 6
Pattern at 100% for doll
Enlarge 200% for girl
 
Small Cape
Cut 1 of red flannel
Cut 1 of checkered gingham
Pattern at 100% for doll
Enlarge 200% for girl
 
Headband
Cut 1 for doll
Cut 1 on fold for girl
Pattern at 100% for doll
Enlarge 200% for girl
 
*Note: Cut two 1" x 10" (2.5 x 25cm) strips for the large antennae. Cut two 1" x 5" (2.5 x 13cm) strips for the small antennae.
 

Ladybug Cape
 
The ladybug cape is cut to resemble wings, and has a lining that matches the checkered ruffle on the top.
 
1 Prepare the pieces. For both capes, place the ladybug cape pattern on a fold of the red flannel. Pin the pattern in place and cut it out. To use the fabric most efficiently, cut the large cape out first. Then, fold the remaining flannel in half and use it to cut out the small cape. Repeat with the checkered gingham. Open the cape pieces and press out the fold. Attach iron-on adhesive to the black flannel, and trace and cut the large, medium, and small spots for each cape from it.
 
2 For each cape, pin the flannel piece to the gingham piece with right sides facing. Sew a 1/4" (0.5cm) seam around the edges of the cape, leaving an opening for turning and two openings for the ribbon where shown on the pattern. Clip the curves and turn the cape right side out. Use a blind stitch to sew the turning opening closed. Hand sew a running stitch around the openings for the ribbon.
 
3 Add the casing and spots. To make the casing, follow the lines marked on the pattern to sew two rows of straight stitches along the top edge of the cape. Heat set the spots in a random pattern to the red flannel side of the cape. Zigzag stitch around the edges of the spots.
 
4 Finish the cape. For both capes, attach a safety pin to the end of the ribbon and thread it through the casing, gathering the cape fabric as you go. Make two large pom-poms for the large cape and two medium pom-poms for the small cape. Fold the ends of the ribbon over 1/4" (0.5cm), and then fold them over 1/4" (0.5cm) again. Sew a running base stitch at the bottom of the fold and use it to gather the fabric. Attach a pom-pom to each ribbon end.
 

TIP
Where the cape wings form a V, clip the fabric right up to the stitch line and cut away some of the seam allowance fabric. When you turn the cape right side out, this section will lie flat.

Ladybug Headband
 
The bow and button embellishments on this headband make it extra cute!
 
1 Prepare the pieces. For both the girl and the doll, cut the headband and antennae pieces from black felt. Heat set the two headband pieces together.
 
2 Create the antennae. Fold each antenna piece in half lengthwise and whip stitch along the long edge, leaving the ends open. For the large antennae, cut two pipe cleaners to 10 1/2" long (27cm). For the small antennae, cut two pipe cleaners to 5 1/2" (14cm) long. Fold back 1/4" (0.5cm) of each end of the pipe cleaners. Slip one pipe cleaner into each antenna casing.
 
3 Finish the antennae and attach the elastic. Make two medium black pom-poms and tie one to each of the large antennae. Repeat with small pom-poms and the small antennae. If desired, use purchased pom-poms and attach them with glue. Measure the girl’s and doll’s head to determine the size of the elastic. Cut enough elastic so the headband fits snuggly without being too tight. Stitch the ends of the elastic to the ends of the headband. Stitch the antennae in place where indicated on the pattern.
 
4 Finish the headband. Tie a bow from each size of ribbon. Attach the bow to one side of the headband and sew a ladybug button in the center. Sew two additional ladybug buttons along the front of the headband.

Ladybug Top
 
To finish off the ladybug outfit, I embellished a red tank top for the girl and a red doll top for her doll.
 
1 Heat set the dots. Using the patterns, cut dots from black flannel. Heat set dots to each top and zigzag stitch around the edges.
 
2 Measure and cut the ruffle. Measure around the bottom of each tank top. For the girl, cut a piece of gingham that is 10" (25cm) wide and double the circumference of the tank top. For the doll, cut a piece 4" (10cm) wide and double the circumference of the doll top.
 
3 Make and attach the ruffle. Fold each ruffle piece in half lengthwise and make a running gathering stitch 1/4" (0.5cm) from the fold. Gather the fabric of each ruffle until the length matches the circumference of the tops. Pin the ruffles to the bottom of each top and stitch them in place. I tore the edges of my fabric for an unfinished look. You can finish the edges by turning them under by 1/4 (0.5cm) and zigzag stitching them in place.
 

Excerpted with permission from "Sew Fun for Girls & Dolls: Simply Stylish Projects for Coordinating Clothes & Accessories Perfect for 18" Dolls" by Ana Araujo, published by Design Originals.