So, my Merida costume is coming along. I've sewn the lower sleeves and one set of the strips of clothe that holds the sleeves together. It took me less time to make sleeves (40 mins for the whole thing, both hems and a seam) than it makes for the strips (40 to sew one side...and I made four of them tonight...).
Here's an example of one of the two lower sleeves.