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Pea Pod Costume

Picture your child's head poking out from the hole and then draw where the top tie should be. The top tie will go around the back of the head and tie at the base of the neck. Then, draw the bottom tie that goes under the child's arms and ties behind the back.

Once you've decided where the ties go, you will notice that after you cut away the rest of the material, you have what looks like a crescent moon with two long strips coming from the back of it. Go ahead and cut away the extra fabric.

Sew the bottom seam along the curve until you reach the first tie strip. Next, sew the top part of the pea pod from the corner to the top of the upper tie strap. Then, pull the bottom of the pea pod and the top of the pea pod inside out so your seams are inside.

The Peas:
The peas are very easy to make if you are using spandex or nylon. First, draw three very large circles on the fabric (they should be about the size of dinner plates). Cut these out. Next, gather the edges and sew them together fairly loosely, leaving a hole large enough to cram stuffing into with a wooden spoon. Fill the peas until they are about the size of a small cantaloupe. Stitch the rest and pull the stitches together to form a tight gather at the back of the pea.

After you've made your peas, you need to sew them to the costume. Space them evenly, and then stitch them into place. Be sure they won't come off if someone pulls on them. If you want, you can gather the sides of the pod material around the peas, so they look like they are embedded into the pod (see picture).