What about going to a resale shop? Most of the work is already done. You could do some simple alterations or just pin baste. My boys outgrew the cloths before they wore them out.

I was going to make the same suggestion as glassquilt. Go to the Salvation Army or local thrift shop. With little girls, I'd look for the fanciest, gaudiest dresses they have--lots of bridemaids dresses end up there. For a few bucks, you can get lots of great stuff that you can trim with scissors or add elastic for a better fit.

My mother had all her debutant dresses in a trunk for my sisters and me to play with--it kept us entertained for hours.

Years ago I made dress up clothes for my niece and it was so much fun. She was about 6 and I bought a simple dress pattern in a size 10 or 12 so she could wear them for a long time. I made two dresses so she and a friend could play, varying the colors, sleeves and necklines, but made both with full, twirly skirts. Then I made simple stoles and scarves, bought some cheap bead necklaces and jewelry. I used swishy, taffeta type fabric that was not expensive, one dress was aqua blue and the other burgundy. Maybe you could find some hats at Goodwill or a thrift store - hats are such fun.

Oh, I can think of a lot of goodies, some netting to make colorful tutu, red satin skirt with valentines made out of cardboard and shiny paper I purple boa, a fleece cape, some cheap tees to decorate with paints or squiggles. some painted shoes old hats, Grandma might have one, some old gloves, jewelry, get that imagination going, rene

I'd say velcro would be great to use for closures, as it's easy for little hands and means things can expand or be fastened in different ways. Something like a wrap around skirt could be used as a cape, etc.

You can also check with local dance studios. Some of them sell/donate their old costumes and they make great dress-up itmes.

beverly