Need simple dressing up clothes patterns

[Babieseverywhere]

I can sew in a straight line (just about) and as we are on the third request for dressing up outfits from nursery/school I need some kind of website or book which has children dress up clothes for dummies.

I would much rather spend time at home making something, than wasting time and money buying an outfit.

Any ideas ?

Sorry I can't recommend books or websites etc, as clothing is my trade so I've never used them.....though I think simplicity do a range, & are easy to follow

but would a Spook costume be of use??.....I once did this for DDs nursery & the Kids loved it....

this can be done REALLY simply, with an old sheet or white cloth..........measure wrist to wrist (& add a bit too roll up, so it will last longer) & then head to floor, & cut out a sort of house shape, you know, square with a triangle on top.....make an extra long point on the top...................cut out holes where the eyes sit, & then get some black paint & make dark circles around the eyes, & a big oval black howling mouth.......& done.....all straight simple stitching, & no pattern required

What Sort of age are we talking? And are you looking for boys, girls or both? Simplicty do alot of childrens dress up patterns though Im not sure how simply they are.
If I want make a new dress up outfit for my son I go for simple ideas, often starting with a basic PJ pattern like this one www.simplicitynewlook.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=120_123&products_id=7113 or the ' 2742 It's So Easy Children's Pyjamas Pattern' to make the trousers, shorts or T- shaped tops in the right colour and work form there:

A doctor or vet...Which I made very simple pair of blue cotton PJ trousers and a mens white shirt with the arms shorted and the velcor sewen down the front for easy opening.

A Super hero... simple cape and use fabric paints or some coloured felt to make a logo on a t-shirt and pair of bright coloured shorts (from PJ pattern).

Native Indian... Very simple T-shaped dress for girls in light brown and some frabic paint or ribbon and fethers sewen on around the neck or boton. (for boy make it abit shorter and do some simple trousers with patterns like this around the bottom) Add a head dress (made using feathers ribbon beads glued on to plastic hair band or sewen on to an elastic one)

I have looked though alot of books but neaver brought one just always worked for the old '2742 It's So Easy Children's Pyjamas Pattern' editing the leg length and arm length for what a need then adding fabric paints and a cape and my son loves them. Hope this might help sorry it's long.
Hope some of these ideas may help you.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look at that link in a minute.

Well at the moment it is things to fit my little 3.5 year old daughter but I have a young son to and will need stuff for him later on.

The book Kids' Dress Ups and Parties shows how to make many different costumes from a few basic costume shapes, which are easy to sew. Full sized paper patterns are included.

I made the kids two Peter Pan costumes last weekend as they're taking part in Peter Pan week next month, so wanted to get the costumes sorted so we didn't have a massive rush on our hands. They actually turned out really well. This video should show you how Hope this helps. Amy x

Thanks I have looked at the u-tube video, looks doable, even for me

Found the book with full size patterns on Amazon, Mmm I like the idea of patterns included in the book.

Haha, glad you looked it up babieseverywhere. Trust me it's very doable and this is coming from a very inexperienced seamstress . Good luck. Amy x

Keep an eye out for plain brown, black or white tops and elasticated trouser/leggings. They are really useful bases for fancy dress. Asda do boy's longsleeved thermal vests which are great for the dressing up box.

I would keep some basic 'shapes' to embellish as needed.

I made a simple tabard out of some nasty brown velvet someone gave me which can be various animals or different eras. Plain pillowcases can also be made into tabards (and dyed if nec.)

Keep any plain coloured scarves, saris or large piece of fabric that comes your way (could be edged into a big square) for wrapping, tieing, draping etc.