Pascal: The Chameleon Inspired Baby Costume That Changed My Life

 

Part 1:  The Dare

“I can’t find it anywhere!” complained my sister-in-law. She wanted a very particular character to fit the family theme for next Halloween. I couldn’t pass up the challenge, so I offered to make it even though I wasn’t familiar with chameleon Pascal, Rapunzel’s sidekick from the new Disney movie. I found pictures and video clips for inspiration, then made the patterns and a couple mockups. Next, I just needed a “quick” trip to the store for fabric, that’s the easy part… wrong! I couldn’t find any baby friendly materials in the colors/patterns I wanted arghhh.

Well, when life gives you lemons: you get creative, right? I got a couple XL green cotton t-shirts and fabric paint and created my own chameleon skin print, there!

At that point I had been sewing professionally for many years but for the first time in a long time...

my background in the textile industry and in theater wardrobe came together in such a fun way, I was really having a blast figuring it out, putting details together, watching it evolve, and picturing the costume on my baby niece, right next to a very happy older sister Rapunzel and royal parents. I was so grateful for this experience that brought a new spark, an opening door in my sewing journey.

When the costume was done, not only I was in love with it, it made me happy to see come true a mother’s vision of a theme for the family in which the little one would be the sidekick to big sister they hope she will grow up to be in real life.

And there they went to their Halloween events collecting compliments and smiles from everyone around.

Little I knew the story was not over…

Part 2: A Bigger Challenge

About a year later a complete stranger from across the country came knocking on my inbox begging for the costume for her baby. She’d seen pictures online from a little contest I entered and again wanted to fulfill the dream of an older sister Rapunzel. Is this a thing? Hmmm, why not posting it on Etsy and make a few more?... Just like that Stitched by Mama shop was born.

I made a lot more costumes than I’d thought that year. And I heard many stories about little ones being sidekicks to older sister and even moms themselves playing Rapunzel. Every time my little chameleon was ordered I felt honored a family had picked it to create beautiful memories with their little ones.

It was a real joy to make my Chameleon Pascal Inspired Baby Costumes, however, with a toddler of my own there were just so many pieces I could make. Soon the dreaded “SOLD OUT” sign came up. It made me sad saying no to some families, but the truth was I couldn’t make myself all the little chameleons I wanted to see playing out in the sun.

“I’ll be more prepared next season” I promised myself, but even though I streamlined the pattern for efficiency, had bolts of fabric ready, sew more than double… I still got sold out early in the season. On one hand I was happy for more and better costumes sent out, on the other, still wanted to help more mamas get the costume they really wanted for their little ones. There’s gotta be a way! What if…? Could I…?

 

Part 3: The Magic

I’d seen patterns for sale on Etsy before… how do they do that? I mean making patterns yourself and some notes to make it next time is one thing, making a blueprint for someone else to follow …THAT takes things to a whole new level. But I really wanted other moms to be able to do this, so I stretched, I learned, I figured it out. And after much debating myself, third season around, I digitized and posted the Tangled’s Chameleon Pascal Inspired Baby Costume SEWING PATTERNS

I had some fears about releasing “my baby” into the world, but more than letting go or the possibility of someone “taking” it away from me, my concerns were more like: is it professional enough? Clear enough? Easy enough? I want mamas to feel joy making it not frustration…

The answer came quickly, loud and clear. What a delight to receive notes from happy mamas and grandmas with adorable pics with happy kids (babies, sibling, parents…) in parties, photoshoots, and family vacations. Reviews flooded with compliments on how cute the costume turns out, good fitting patterns, easy to follow instructions, how much fun they had, how much the family enjoyed, and how the little ones loved it… I was over the moon!

Finally, I felt I was providing real solutions for a lot more mamas to fulfill their vision of a Rapunzel theme.  And I discovered, I love helping mamas (and grandmas/aunties/besties) make this costume, and to see the amazing twists and variations they come up with, the different fabrics they use, the unique details, even the surprising colors… it is a chameleon after all, and my mamas are so creative!

I would have never in a million years imagined this outcome when I dared to make the first costume for my niece, I mean being here today sharing my love for sewing costumes with you, it feels like a dream.

This story of the first baby costume I ever made was what inspired me to create all the costumes for my kids Halloween, themed parties, and special events, and to keep bringing the best patterns and tutorials to Stitched by Mama shop. AND, I am super excited that soon I will be offering courses and live classes too!

Please SUBSCRIBE below to be the first one to get the news. I’d love to craft an amazing costume with you :D

Aaaand, I’m curious,

What is your first baby costume story? Please share in the comments or email me and let me know what it was or what you’d like it to be. I really love hearing from you.

Cheers,