Disney's Rapunzel Costume Analysis!

Rapunzel/ Tangled Links

Disney's Official "Tangled" Website

The Official website of "Rapunzel" or "Tangled"

The Brothers' Grimm: Rapunzel

Here you can find the original tale of Rapunzel, as told by the Grimm Brothers. The original fairytale is quite dark, but the directors have confirmed their movie adaption is quite different from the Grimm's version.

Suitable Sewing Patterns

My Recommendations

Children's Costume Pattern: 2065 Simplicity

This is the 'Official' Child's Tangled sewing pattern. The look is definitely there, although it will definitely need work to 'accurise' it. It appears that the centre-front skirt panel is an underskirt, with the other panels as a separate skirt over the top. There is no sheer fabric at the back of the neck, rather it is just the bodice fabric. The outfit zips up down the back, and it also does include instructions for making the braid out of wool. For what it is, the look is there, and if you're after a child's pattern that will give the look of Rapunzel without getting into uber-accurate details, this seems to be what you're after.

Bustier Pattern: 23401 Neue Mode

This pattern obviously needs a little work, the panels in the front need to be made vertical rather than diagonal, if you have the know-how to do so. The lacing also needs to be extended to the top of the bustier, with a panel inserted behind to prevent skin showing through. The top of the bustier needs to be shaped and tapered upwards towards where the shoulder straps are. We've determined that Rapunzel's shoulder straps are separate to the rest of the bodice, so the straps can be made as 2 straight strips which then attach to the front and back 'strap points' on the front and back of the bustier. The back of the bustier looks like a perfect match for Rapunzel, minus the extension of the side-back panel to taper in to create a tab for the corresponding strap to attach to. If you know how, the seam across the centre of the bust can also be converted into 2 'V' shaped darts on each side.

Bustier Pattern: 7982 Burda

This is the pattern I would use if I were remaking this costume.
Do not stitch up the centre-front. Rather, eliminate about an inch from each side of the centre-front, and put eyelets down the sides of this.
Make a modesty panel wide enough to fill in what was eliminated, plus wide enough to cover the back of the eyelets. This will sit behind the lacing, next to the skin.
To do the shoulder straps, use View D which will give you a guide for the armholes. All you need to do is add in the inner side of the shoulder straps. In the back they join to the bustier at about a 90 degree angle, while in the front there's a slight flare before they join to the sweetheart neckline at the bust.
Like the above pattern, there is a horizontal line across the bust. If you know how to modify this,eliminate the seam and replace it with the 'V' shape that Rapunzel has.
Use pattern C's hemline, it's the only pattern that comes to a point in the front.

Sleeve Pattern: 5619 McCalls

These puff sleeves look like they would work well for the sleeves, the pattern also looks like it would be a reasonably close match to the armhole in the 7982 Bustier pattern.
Seeing as the sleeve is the 'puff' style, it will be gathered at the armhole to create the puff effect. Simply gather as little or as much as necessary to make the sleeve match up to the armhole. Before sewing up the sleeve (ie: after cutting out the shape), top stitch the ribbon strips on the fabric. It would be incredibly difficult to sew the ribbon over the sleeves after they are sewn up. To do the remainder of the sleeves, simply make a tube with sheer fabric that will extend 3/4 of the way down the arms that has a hint of gathering at the elbow to make it easier to move (unless you use a stretch chiffon).

Alternatively, make the fitted sleeve extend all the way from the shoulder to 3/4 down the arm. Turn the puff sleeve inside out and stitch the bottom edge to where you want to the edge to sit on the chiffon. Turn it back out the right way, and attach both the chiffon and the puff top edges to the armhole at the same time.
In this way, the chiffon extends the full length of the sleeve, and will provide support for the Puff, preventing it from pulling out of shape.

Skirt Pattern: 1022 Brown Paper Patterns

This pattern is for a basic 6-gore (6-panelled) skirt.
If the finished hem isn't wide enough, widen the hem of all the pattern pieces by the same amount and try again. Make sure the skirt ends at the 3/4 length down your legs.
Simply swap out the centre-front panel with the decorative fabric panel Rapunzel has.
Decorate the edges of the side-front panels with the embroidery modif, and extend this motif around the bottom hemline of the dress.
Make the petticoat length identical to that of the skirt. Stitch floral lace to the bottom of the hem. Stitching it to the bottom will extend the overall length of the petticoat, which will leave just the lace peeking out below the hem of the skirt.

Source the Crown Materials

Padparadscha Rhinestones

The 'red' in Rapunzel's tiara isn't a bright red, nor is it pink. Padparadscha is partway in between and I think it's a good colour match. The rhinestones are available in different colours, but be careful with SS size, you'll need to make sure you're getting the correct sizes!

Chalk White Pearls

Swarovski's pearls can be a little confusing. There are so many white/ offwhite shades that it can be tricky picking out one particular colour.

Clear Crystal Rhinestones

Swarovski's clear rhinestones are available in a huge range of sizes, no one should have any problem finding them! Again, just be careful with the SS sizing!