Today is Literature Character Day at Clare’s primary school, rounding off the school Writer’s Festival week. The Enchanted Wood and Magic Faraway Tree have been extremely popular in our house for the past few months, so Clare chose to dress as Silky.

I had the perfect pattern for a woodland fairy dress in my stash – Butterick 3897, which is probably out of print – and three pieces of green and rust fabrics that coordinated perfectly. A pair of purchased wings, and we were done!

I rarely sew costumes, resenting the time that it takes to make something that will only be worn a couple of times. But I’m so glad that I put in the effort! The organza sleeves and sash were a bit of a pain to sew, and I should have finished the edges more sturdily. In fact, if I made it again I’d improve the construction to take account of the fabric types a little better. It still looks effective – just like a fairy who lives in a tree! Because it’s cold Clare is wearing a t-shirt and leggings underneath. It’s comfortable – basically a peasant dress – and Clare looked gorgeous in it at school this morning along with Red Riding Hood, witches, lions, Grandma from Gooligulch, cheerleaders, ballerinas – you name it, someone was dressed as it.