ModKid Sewing Patterns, Kyoko

I used this pattern to make my four year-old daughter a Mulan Halloween costume. The pattern quality was great, the directions were so easy to follow, the pictures were great and helped make everything clear. I made few alterations, simply because it was a costume. First, I didn't use the recommended fabric, I used silky fabric. I think the recommended fabric would have turned out nicer. I think this pattern needs the structure from the stiffer cotton. Second, I removed six inches of width from the top of the skirt to reduce bulk and make it less gathered. I wanted the skirt to have a little more straight look. I made the skirt an A-line shape to keep the width at the bottom to allow for more movement and running. Third, I didn't bind the bottom of the skirt with bias binding. Finally, I took eight inches off the fabric of the Obi sash and replaced it with ribbon, again to make the costume a little more true. My daughter is a very small 4 year-old, so I made the 3T, but I think I could have made the 2T and it would have been better; this is supposed to be a loose and comfy pattern, which is how you get away with no zippers for buttons, but it was still pretty big. The other thing to keep in mind is the bias tape. I made my own because I quilt and I have a lot of experience making bias binding, but someone who doesn't have a lot of experience making bias binding might be uncomfortable with that (even though the directions give detailed step by step instructions and diagrams on how to do that). If you are using store bought bias binding, there will be no problem.