I had my daughter’s Merida costume sewn long before Halloween, but I didn’t get around to taking pictures of her in it until Halloween. I debated whether or not I should post about it (with Halloween being in the back of our minds until about 11 months from now) but I decided that someone out there may want to make this super cute costume for a Christmas gift. I didn’t draft my own pattern for this costume, but rather I chose to use Simplicity Pattern 1557. The shape of the dress is fairly simple, but the gauntlets daunted me a little. And I got the pattern on a good deal. Overall, I was glad that I used this pattern. And our little Merida was happy with the costume, which is all the matters.
The pattern comes with several different size options, as well as the pattern for the dress, a cape, and a petticoat. I did not make the cape. The quiver I made myself. The fabrics were all purchased from JoAnn Fabrics (velour and broadcloth).
Here are my thoughts on this pattern:
- I think I got confused when piecing the front and back sections. Something didn’t seem correct when I was doing it, but I felt like I was following the pattern and the picture on the pattern. But I felt that after I sewn everything together, that I had more sleeve section puffing out from the back than the front, and I think it should have been the other way around. So be careful when doing the initial piecing.
- Try on the dress on the subject several times during the making. This will allow for a proper fit.
- I actually skipped the hemming step and just did a zigzag stitch. I cut a little below the stitch and it appears that I hemmed it. If using the proper velour fabric, the bottom of the dress should not show rough edges. Not what I recommend every time (or if you’re making a nice gift), but it’s a time saver if you’re on a shortage or if there’s a little girl asking “Is it done yet?” every day.
- The petticoat is a super easy addition that shouldn’t be skipped! It may seem unnecessary, but the petticoat peeking out from under the dress makes for an authentic addition.
Wig: Walmart, $7.00
Bow/Arrow: Walmart, $8.00
Quiver: Made from items on hand.
Have you used this pattern? Any thoughts or tips?
See other Disney Costume Ideas here:
Another DIY Minnie Mouse Costume
Another DIY Minnie Mouse Costume
She is SOOOO adorable!! I think dresses like this are great for girls all the time – my daughter is still wearing her costumes, we just keep them in the dress up box for imaginative play!
Thanks! Homemade costumes are the best! 🙂
Love it! Great job on the costume and your little Merida looks so cute!
I think you did a great job on this. It’s not an easy costume to recreate.
My daughter was so disappointed with the Disney version of the Merida costume that we too made our own. I can’t remember which pattern I used, but I modified a Simplicity pattern too.
Here is the link to some pictures of my daughter’s costume, just thought I would share from one Merida mom to another. 🙂
Visited your page- your costume looks awesome, as well!
LOVE her costume!! Someday maybe I will learn how to sew.
Oh my goodness, you did an awesome job! I think I’m going to make my girls costumes next year, there is just something so much more special about a handmade costume 🙂 Your daughter made an awesome Merida (she’s my favorite Disney princess!)
Homemade costumes are the best! Thanks for stopping by!
the costume is gorgeous!
Thank you!
What a cute costume! I love how personalized it is.
omg how cute is she 🙂
This is amazing!
Looks awesome! I’m working on this right now. Just finished the dress about to start the petticoat. Was just googling to see the picture of the petticoat sticking out, to see how much longer than the dress it should be and I found your picture 🙂
My 3.5 year old has been asking for a bow and arrow like Merida for a while now, so I bought the Disney one, and the wig for Christmas. She will also get the dress for Christmas. It looks so much better than the store bought.
Unfortunately, since it’s a gift, I won’t be able to try it on her, but I hope it will fit well 🙂
I totally agree about the dress! In my case, making the dress was not cheaper than buying one, but the dress I made turned out to be such higher quality. Good luck with your project!
Thanks for taking the time to post your pictures. I am set to cut out this pattern as a Christmas gift for my granddaughter. She knows it coming but I still don’t want to try it on her until she opens the gift box. I figure I just won’t hem it and if I have to adjust the side seams, I always can. I wasn’t planning on making the petticoat but you have changed my mind!
I wasn’t originally going to make the petticoat, but it is an EXTREMELY quick sew and it makes a huge difference, so I am glad that I made it. I actually didn’t hem my main dress at all. The velour doesn’t unravel like a traditional broadcloth. Good luck- I am sure your granddaughter will love it!
I made this for my 12 year old today. I found it a challenging pattern as well, but am pleased with the way it turned out. I used an “old gold” satin silk like fabric for the ruffles, sleeves, and ruffle on the petticoat. I had to read the directions on that pattern so many times and still ended up ripping several seams to re-do. I wish Simplicity directions were a bit clearer!!
I bet the gold color is lovely. A year later, the costume has held up well for me, but the gauntlet snaps have came apart a bit. I need to repair them. I would love to see your costume. Feel free to email me a picture ([email protected]) or upload it to the Facebook page, and, if permitted, I may feature it in my weekly newsletter!
I am in the middle of this pattern right now….ugh….I have no idea what step ten is telling me. How to get truffle at the top of the neck, what do you understated? And what does that mean? Any help is appreciated
Let me see if I can dig the pattern out of my box and check it out!
If you haven’t completed step 10 yet, then your facing should be on the outside of the garment right now. You’ll turn the facing so that it is on the inside and the ruffle is sticking up. Then you’ll sew on the outside of the garment near the seam to keep the layers in place (to keep the facing on the inside and the ruffle up)
I am working on this costume right now and making the collar and neck ruffle is giving me a run for my money. Steps 6-9 make no sense to me. I have been working on it all day to no avail. Halloween is so close! Please help!
Hi, I made this costume 6 years ago, and I remember struggling the most with the blue arm attachments. I looked but could not find my pattern instructions. What are steps 6-9?
Hello! Thanks for your tips on this cute Merida dress! I’m attempting to do this project right now and am hung up on whether I fold the fabric right side together or wrong side together when pinning the pattern onto it in preparation for cutting. I’ve read the instructions a million times and can’t find anything that says which way to do it. What did you do?
Hi, Susie,
Do you see the section on the first pattern page (on the front) that says Cutting/Marking? It is in the right hand corner. Read the section “Before Cutting.” It tells how to fold the fabric according to how many layers that you are cutting through.