I mentioned yesterday that Ellie is quite obsessed with this Madeline book. Dream come true for this mama! I used to watch Madeline every day after kindergarten, and still remember most of the episodes.
I had originally planned on having Ellie dress up as Anna from Frozen, but her costume got lost in the mail, so we improvised. DIY Madeline costume? Done and done! I love this costume so much, plus, it was super easy to make. For a quick tutorial (and more photos), keep scrolling down.
DIY Madeline Costume
Blue Knit Fabric (think maxi skirt material! I found mine at Joann’s for 50% off. I purchased a 1.5 yards, but 1 yard would have been plenty)
Matching blue thread
White Felt
Long Sleeve White Tee
Red Ribbon
Hat (I found this hat at Zurcher’s party store. You’d think we should get a discount there since it’s our name, right?)
White socks or tights
Black Shoes
First, I started out with making a quick jumper. I cut around one of Ellie’s dresses I had on hand, cutting a little bit bigger, so it didn’t get smaller when I sewed it.
Then, on one of the dress pieces, I cut a scoop neck for the front of the dress. You can finish off the edges on the neck, sleeves, and hem, or you can leave them as is, this fabric won’t fray. On her dress, I finished off the edges first. Then I pinned the front and back dress pieces together (inside out!) and sewed down the sides. With white felt, I cut out a Peter Pan collar, then attached it to the front of the dress.(I googled a few tutorials first, I would recommend doing the same!)
For the cape, I free hand cut a cape like shape. Then I stitched red ribbon to the top, front ends. I also took off the black fabric on the original hat and replaced it with the same red ribbon. To complete the look, add high white socks and black Mary Jane’s.
I finished her costume during naptime, and as soon as she woke up, she insisted on wearing it all day. In fact, ran around the house saying “Show Daddy! I Madeline! I Madeline!” She was thrilled, to say the least.
I added the peter pan collar to the jumper, just in case Ellie wasn’t a huge fan of the cape. I attempted to sew the Peter Pan collar onto the dress, but my dear ol’ sewing machine threw a fit, so I added a few drops of hot glue and called it good. Haha.
I think I’ll call this last minute Halloween costume a success! Ellie refuses to take it off and it took less than 45 minutes to make. Did you watch Madeline growing up? What are dressing up as for Halloween?

13 COMMENTS
Tiffany
6 years agoShe makes the perfect Madeline! This is so darn cute!
Karina Marie Powell
6 years agoShe is the cutest Lex! This came out beyond perfect.
Laurie
6 years agoOh my gosh, so cute!!!
Amy
6 years agoThree cheers for Madeline, hip hip hooray!! She is perfectly adorable!! You are so talented!! I love how you can put the thoughts in your head into action. Love it!
Allison Barker
6 years agoI loved Madeline growing up! this makes me wish I had a girl. haha plus all of Ellie's adorable poses; can you say future super model?
The Girl who Loved to Write
6 years agoOh, this is absolutely adorable! I loved the Madeline books!
Amberly
6 years agoThis is adorable and the perfect costume!! And Ellie is quite the little model 😉
Kaycie Eddie
6 years agoAdorable! Madeline is the best. I was Madeline in elementary school. I want to go watch some of the cartoons now!
Brooke @ Silver Lining
6 years agoTHIS IS AMAZING.
larajanepark
6 years agoLove Love Love. Paris used to be able to recite the whole Madeline book. "In a big house in Paris, all covered with vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines"… goodness I must have read those books to her a million times..
Ellie, of course is FABULOUS! xoxox (you're pretty brilliant yourself, my dear.) love aunt lara
Unknown
6 years agoWith my name being Madeline…. I LOVED Madeline growing up and was definitely her for halloween one year. This costume is SO cute!
Caley-Jade Rosenberg
6 years agoThis is adorable – what a pretty little Madeline x
Kristie K.
5 years agoSuch a cute costume!!! I just love Madeline. And your little girl is adorable!!! Thanks for sharing a great tutorial.