Anyway, I thought that I would share some pics with you of my first real costume (other than the chili pepper bunting costume, which barely counts) for my son Elijah. He was 2 1/2 at the time, and, being a novice seamstress, I kind of made it up as I went along. It is hilariously big on him, but he was so obsessed with these sharks (Wobbegongs) that he was overjoyed to wear it around the neighborhood. He still wants to wear it occasionally, and it lives in the top bunk in his room, so it was worth the time spent! I made it from some scrap fleece, and painted it with non-toxic tempera paints. Most of it was machine stitched, though the face part was hand stitched, and I included the plastic head frame from a child’s batting helmet for extra support (also stitched into place). I didn’t have a pattern (still don’t – I am sure that this will be a one-off costume!), so I worked from a drawing that my husband made for me. I have included a picture of a real wobbe, just for reference. I am sure that I have more pics (perhaps better ones, in fact), but I thought I would just forward these before my Mommy Brain kicks in again and I totally forget!

Incidentally, I don’t have a blog or anything like that- just don’t have the time or the inclination ! I love to read them though. ;-) Hope that I can still send in my entry anyway…

Thanks so much, and keep up the great work!

Jen Straw, Pittsburgh PA