From 2016 to 2019, Heidi made and performed in costumes at Fairy Tale Storytime — a monthly children's event at Sandman Book Company in Charlotte, NC. Over three years she created costumes for more than a dozen characters. This is the story of those costumes.
The Characters
Over the three years of Storytime, the characters included:
- Snow Queen (Elsa) — Simplicity 1215. The powder blue, sparkle-and-snowflake gown that became a signature look. Also worn for the Fox 4 Morning Blend television appearances.
- Princess Anna — Simplicity 1210. The Scandinavian embroidered bodice with green and black color scheme.
- Cinderella — ball gown with hoop skirt and multiple underskirts. One of the most complex Storytime builds.
- Belle — yellow ball gown based on the classic Disney design.
- The Fairy Godmother — lavender gown with sparkle overlay.
- Princess Merida (Brave) — green medieval-inspired gown with detailed bodice.
- Maid Marian — romantic medieval gown in lavender.
- Tinkerbelle — green fairy costume with wings.
- Jasmine — blue harem-style court costume.
- Wonder Woman — for a special superhero-themed event.
- Jedi (Obi-Wan style) — robe and tunic for a Star Wars themed event, using Simplicity 5840.
What Made It Special
The children's response to meeting these characters was genuinely moving. The care taken to make costumes as accurate and beautiful as possible mattered — children notice and respond to quality in a way adults sometimes forget to.