Cosplay as an Encanto Character

What can we use if we don't have a measuring tape or safety scissors?

If you don't have a measuring tape, use a piece of string and a ruler to measure from your shoulders to your waist and shoulder width, and if you don't have safety scissors, have an adult cut with regular fabric scissors or carefully tear woven fabric along the weave before trimming.

My costume doesn't fit after sewing — what likely went wrong and how do I fix it?

If the garment doesn't fit, recheck the shoulder-to-waist and shoulder-width measurements you used to draw the paper rectangle or trapezoid pattern, adjust the paper pattern size, repin the corrected pattern to the fabric, and resew the seams with a tighter running stitch or try the piece on before adding trims.

How should I change the steps for different ages?

For younger kids, skip hand sewing by using fabric glue and pre-cut pattern pieces while an adult measures and cuts, for elementary-aged children teach basic running stitch with supervision and safety scissors, and for teens have them draft more detailed paper patterns, sew independently, and add trims and sequins.

How can we make the costume more special or long-lasting?

To enhance the costume, reinforce seams with extra running stitches or fabric glue, add a lined sash, cape, or headband from a second strip of fabric, and personalize with matching trims and sequins to mirror your character before performing the skit.