Halloween Costume

[lendube]

I'm making a costume for my dh's secretary's dd, McCall's M6183 . I've just measured her and am wondering how the sizes run for kids. Her measurements are chest - 22, waist - 20.5, hips - 26. It's a princess style dress. The little girl is 5 and the pattern says a size 3 should fit giving the measurements of 22 chest and 20.5 waist. I'll measure the pattern itself but was wondering what wisdom you ladies that always sew for kids might have to share. How true is the sizing? Does it compare to women's sizing, etc. thx.

[temom]

Lennie, the 3 should fit her in circumference, but will most likely be too short. For my dd, I always had to add inches to the length, and she does not come from tall stock!
Does it have a size 4 to give her a little growing room? A costume that gorgeous will be worn almost daily!

[bridesmom]

I'm with Theresa, make the 4 and do the size 5 for length, or if she's really tall use a 6 for length. I make a 4 for DGD who is 5, really tall and skinny and the 4's tend to fit pretty well. Does it have the finished measurements on the pattern bodice? If it's a large fit, go with the 3, add some length to the bodice and give it the size 5 skirt and sleeve length.

[lendube]

No finished measurements so I did it myself. After subtracting for seam allow. and darts I came up with 3 inches of wiggle room for the bodice with a size 6 which seems a little too much but maybe not? She needs a 6 for length since she is tall. She's very slender and I don't understand how the 6 will work but I cut that out and figured I could adjust from there. Her mom says she is buying her 6X's now in rtw. She wants this costume to have a loose fit so it'll last for a while. Hope I'm on the right track....... Thanks. Your advice helped, Theresa and Laura.

[temom]

I think you are on the right track. You can always take it in if it is way too big. The length issue is a big one for me. I actually added 7 inches to a peasant blouse I made for dd once.