Things 315 – 320

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Five years ago a local fabric store went out of business. I bought several metres of shiny white stretch velvet with the intention of making angel costumes for our church’s annual living Nativity program. I revamped all the other costumes — wise men, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph — but could not seem to get around to making the angels. Year after year we made do with some artfully draped silver fabric, and every year I vowed that the next year’s Christmas Eve service would see magnificent angels.

It took this blog to finally make it happen.

And the embarrassing thing about it? I made six costumes in under an hour. Less than ten minutes an angel.

I didn’t follow a pattern. Instead, I folded the fabric in half, cut out a basic robe shape, and stitched it together on the serger. I also serged the raw edges around the neck, sleeves and bottom hem.

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I cut the first one with the stretch going up and down. That wasn’t such a good idea. I also cut it too small around the waist, and since it has no give in the width, it only fits the smallest of angels. (It was worn last night by a sweet and slim three-year-old.) I’ll probably add some extra panels in the side. Next year. Ha!

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For the next five I cut with sideways stretch. This meant the sleeves couldn’t be quite as long but more importantly they fit most kids.

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All six costumes were used last night. With added wings and halos they were an angelic host indeed.

I don’t have any photos to post so instead I will leave you with this photo of Martina and Esther in front of our Christmas tree.

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Merry Christmas, all!

Cost of these Things:  0
Cost of all Things to date: €304.59