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From: MaryW
Date: 09-07-2004, 11:34 AM (1 of 26)
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Costumes for Hallowe'en are fun to make. I've done my fair share of hats, clown costumes, even a dwarf named Grumpy. These costumes can cost a fortune if you buy a new pattern and the fabrics that are suggested on the back. Does anyone have tips on inexpensive costumes for Hallowe'en. Black t-shirts, leotards and turtlenecks are a good base for a lot of them. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 09-07-2004, 05:45 PM (2 of 26)
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I went to work as a bunch of grapes once. I wore a green sweat suit, blew up a bunch of purple balloons and safety pinned them to me just in the front. Then a made a green construction-paper stem and leaves, and added green curling ribbon. It was pretty cute! Another year I was a pig. Pink sweat suit this time, cheap pink sneakers, and plastic pig ears and nose. Jessica photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: Bama
Date: 09-07-2004, 05:52 PM (3 of 26)
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I think I posted this one last year, but here it is again. Put a pink sweatsuit on a little girl, pin small pink balloons all over it, fashion a hat or head covering from a washcloth and a rubber ducky. You could also add a few "bubble" balloons to the hat. She's a bubble bath. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: emermuffin
Date: 09-08-2004, 09:29 AM (4 of 26)
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When my little girl was 2, I made a simple T-dress in brown broadcloth then hot glued silk leaves in autumn colors all over it. Added few big mums at the neckline and then I velcro-ed on some tiny fairy wings on the back. She was the cutest little woodland fairy you ever saw! I tried to upload a photo and couldn't get it to work - bummer! You'll just have to take my word on how cute the costume was! emermuffin
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User: emermuffin
Member since: 03-29-2003 Total posts: 55 |
From: adrianalali
Date: 09-09-2004, 02:49 PM (5 of 26)
| for DD's first halloween costume I made up a really easy Pebbles costume. I bought about 1 yard of the pumpkin orange fabric $1/yd at hancocks halloween table and cut out a basic t-shape top and a straight skirt. I left the edges unfinished and did the hem in VVVVV shapes unfinished also.. I held it together by stitching a mock button to each side . I drew small triangles on to the fabric with a black sharpie - and to finish off the costume I made a ponytail holder with a real chicken leg bone! (of course it was cleaned off before I put it on my baby's head!) It turned out really cute! |
User: adrianalali
Member since: 03-27-2004 Total posts: 14 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-10-2004, 08:37 AM (6 of 26)
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When my son was about 12 or so he went to a Hallowe'en party put on by the Scout group he was in. He wanted to go as Dolly Parton. Well, you can imagine. He had a blonde wig, put on a silver metallic knit sweater I had with some silver strappy sandals left over from New Years Eve. Two plastic bowling balls placed in the appropriate area and some makeup and big huge hoop earrings. The bowling balls weren't easy to attach and they kept moving around. The other boys and he had the best time with it all. He won a prize of some sort and everyone went home with sore ribs from laughing.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: mommydionne
Date: 09-10-2004, 05:12 PM (7 of 26)
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I love felt by the yard for costumes, that and a glue gun and you can make just about anything (ie when your son tells you he wants to be Robin NOT Batman the night before the party!) Plus I usually keep a stash of cheap elastic and remnant fabrics for this specifically. Now is the time to check out superhero pj's b.c they often work well too. Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-11-2004, 08:58 AM (8 of 26)
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A bit off subject -- I don't make Halloween costumes anymore -- but last year after the holiday the specialty fabrics were marked way down and I used the flapper fabrics in green and yellow for a Xmas stocking for my daughter and some fake leather and chain mail (kinight costume fabric) for a stocking for her boyfriend. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-12-2004, 02:41 PM (9 of 26)
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My neighbor across the street has kids and one halloween (when they were small) she cut large circles out of cardboard, 2 (one for front, one for back), she painted one set red and one set green and put a BIG M on the front, then tied them together on the kid, with the same colored yarn. Yep, they went as M & M's.
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-13-2004, 06:52 AM (10 of 26)
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For my sons last year at elementary ( some 9-10 yrs ago), I made him "The Energizer Bunny", drum and all. I found pink & white fur made basic top and pants add elastic where needed. styled a pull over cap and rigged BIG ears with plastic canvas and wire, covered with fabric ( they actually stayed up!!!!!). Made pink mittens he could take on and off, plastic canvas to make somewhat of a clown shoe covered in pink, but they could be taken off for walking if needed. The face was the hardest part, a pair of BIG, BIG oversized black sunglasses, the ones that you can get at halloween, I hotglued two BIG whilte pom-poms at the bottom for his cheeks and added some pipecleaners for wiskers. The drum was made from white plastic with magicmarker "Energizer" on both sides of the skins. I used 1/8" white elastic to weave the skins on to two pieces of round cardboard held apart with papertowel tubes ( lots of them for support) and panited two towel tubes black and added stuffed red tips for the sticks. My son still has that costume and told me that he wants to see his kids wear it some day. (  , a mom moment, sorry). He helped in the process of making it, so we had many laughs with it. Now he's 19, soon to be 20 and off to college. (  another mom moment). That same year I made Dorothy for my daughter, one of her friends came as the "Good Witch" and a few of the boys in school came as other members for the Wizard of Oz that year. THis was not planned by any of them, but turned out to be great fun, as between class changes everyone would start singing "follow the yellow brick road" and skipping to the next class. They got pictures of them together for the yearbook that year. Now she's getting married in 8 1/2 months. (  a REAL mom moment!)
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User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-13-2004, 11:45 AM (11 of 26)
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A simple pattern for pants and peasant blouse could be made into a clown costume. Just widen the pant leg to about double and the same with the sleeves. Then wrap a bristol board cone with matching fabric and make pom poms.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: nannyb
Date: 09-16-2004, 08:22 AM (12 of 26)
| One year for Halloween, my daughter and her husband went as Hefty and Wimpy. Remember the ads for garbage bags? They wore dark sweatshirts and pants. We cut 2 holes in the bottom of the bags for their legs. We stuffed the bags with a lot of crumpbled up newspaper, cut holes for their arms and closed them at the neck. He was Hefty, no holes or garbage hanging out, and we made bigger muscles on his arms. You guessed it, she was Wimpy. We made holes in the bag and had garbage hanging out all over, use your imagination! They came home with a prize for most original. |
User: nannyb
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 1 
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From: adrianalali
Date: 09-16-2004, 01:50 PM (13 of 26)
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Sew happie - what a project!!! I made Dorthy a couple years ago and the year before that I made the good witch Glenda and the Tinman for my niece and nefew - everyone gave so many compliments!! I know - I know (mom / aunt moment) Oh and on the pebbles costume - every one kept asking "IS THAT A REAL BONE IN HER HAIR???" This year my 3 nieces want costumes - and I still have cinderella to start on - so I better get working and stop  monkeying around!! Good luck to everyone with thier projects this year! |
User: adrianalali
Member since: 03-27-2004 Total posts: 14 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 09-17-2004, 11:30 AM (14 of 26)
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My dtrs and I always enjoyed the Halloween season and we always did it on a tight budget. One year we went to the thrift stores (go early) and found a red dress with a full skirt with a red shawl out of very light and airy fabric. I made red horns, stuffed them and sewed them to hair clips. We painted her face white with black all around her eyes so her eyes looked set back into her head. My neighbour contributed a large old faded ragged lily that she held. She made sure she had a sullen, dead-pan look on her face. What was she? ...the devil's bride! She won too. Another time she put on black tight pants and turtleneck and I painted her face white and black and she went as a mime. Simple but very effective. One time we picked up two old white bed sheets and I used them to make a long and very full flowing gown with a very oversize hood. We spray painted the oldest girl's hair white after teasing it up in spikes all over her head, painted her face white with red all around her eyes, painted her hands white and added long black fingernails. The combination was very spooky. (we don't do the mask thing, can you tell? Very dangerous to put masks on kids). Last year my grdtr wanted to be a mummy and my dtr was not prepared to wind cloth around her. I took an old pair of elastic waisted pants and an old white sweatshirt with a hood (it's cold in Canada in Oct). I picked up an old sheet from the thrift store and tore it in long pieces. I started at the bottom of each garment and sewed the strips on, leaving some parts hanging out. I did the hood too and the pouch, leaving it open so she could stick her hands in. Then I went to the dollar store and bought plastic spiders, rats and mice, etc. and sewed them on as if they were climbing out. In some spots I sewed the rats and mice on and then sewed a piece of cheese cloth over top with just their heads sticking out. Gr.dtr loved that part,.... dtr hated the mice and rats! Thrift stores are a great place to find bargains. Just make sure you wash everything before the kids get to them. Lots of things to make scarecrows or hobots there too. Have fun Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Bama
Date: 09-18-2004, 11:56 AM (15 of 26)
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When my daughter was 1, I took a pair of her brother's old overalls, cut off the legs, and sewed on a little skirt. I sewed patches all over it. I took an old beach hat and glued straw colored yarn for hair. She went as as a scarecrow. When my son was 1 year old, we put a sweatsuit on him that had a # on it and looked like a football uniform. I stuffed washcloths on his shoulders to look like shoulder pads. We put dark streaks under his eyes like a football player. When my daughter was 3, she went as little red riding hood. I made her a red cape with a simple square hood out of clearance table fabric and added some eyelet to the bottom. She wore a country looking dress she already had and carried a basket to put her candy in. Too cute.  I tried to get my son to go as the big bad wolf, but he didn't like that idea. One year my daughter wore a mexican dress that my mom got for her in Mexico. She was a senorita. My son wore a sombrero that mom got for him and carried moraccas (sp?) |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Bama
Date: 09-18-2004, 11:59 AM (16 of 26)
One year my daughter was starting to think she was too old to trick or treat so we didn't plan a costume. At the last minute she decided she would go after all. She wore a housecoat, fluffy pink slippers, and rollers in her hair. She told everyone she was a middle aged woman. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: codycnichols
Date: 09-29-2004, 04:33 PM (17 of 26)
| I had a friend who went as Eve (as in Adam and Eve) to a Halloween party. She took "long johns" and dyed them a pink flesh-like color. Then she pinned felt "leaves" over the appropriate areas. It was a really neat costume plus it's low sew and low cost. |
User: codycnichols
Member since: 06-16-2004 Total posts: 2 |
From: blackie
Date: 10-05-2004, 12:45 PM (18 of 26)
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I am trying to find a costume idea and / or pattern for my 6-month old (who is in 9 - 12 mo. clothes). Everywhere I go there are the same unoriginal costumes - lion, sheep, etc. Does anyone know of anyplace with baby patterns that are a little different?
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-05-2004, 01:38 PM (19 of 26)
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When my DD was 4 mo old, I dressed her in a pink hooded sleeper and added gray furry bunny ears lined in pink satin. She looked so cute. The next year, I took a white pillowcase and cut a small neckline and armholes and put it over a white turtleneck T-shirt. I wrote Boo on the front and gathered the excess fabric thru the armholes with a satin cord tied in a cute bow. Everyone loved the originality of her costumes. She still wears costumes now at age 16. They're a bit more sophisticated --- last year it was a black satin dress from a Vintage Vogue pattern ala Audrey Hepburn. This year it's a pale gray medieval gown with silver lame corset. Hope this will give you some ideas. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: Dee Marie
Date: 10-05-2004, 03:13 PM (20 of 26)
| Blackie - I sewed a simple pajama top and pants out of striped tiger fabric for my 9 mo. old, added a tail to the pants, and made a baby bonnet out of the tiger fabric with little ears. It helped keep her warm, as I put it over her other clothing. Later I took off the tail and used it as pajamas. The fabric was flannel. We're Detroit Tiger fans, so that added to the appeal of it! -Dee Marie |
User: Dee Marie
Member since: 08-10-2004 Total posts: 16 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-05-2004, 05:25 PM (21 of 26)
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Blackie, are you familiar with the fabric that is in diamond shapes and has very bright colors. Around here , we call it the 'jester fabric'.. I took strips of that one year , hemmed the bottom, and folded down the top edge and stitched it to stretched clear elastic. 1/4 inch elastic.. Made a pointed hat and put a small ball fringe ball on the tip.. , Put a gathered ruff around GS's neck wrists and ankles (all this over a yellow sleeper) I also put a little red color on his cheeks and he was the cutest jester or clown that you ever saw.. He won a contest at the toy store costume contest.. He was less that a year old..Still held in arms.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: blackie
Date: 10-05-2004, 05:29 PM (22 of 26)
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Everyone loved the originality of her costumes. She still wears costumes now at age 16. Marty - you are such a great mom to sew for your children, even as they grow older. My mom always made me a homemade costume for Halloween. In grade school I was so proud of my great costumes and I felt so much luckier than most of the kids, who had storebought junk. In my junior high years I would watch like a hawk and criticize her every move and worry it would look dorky. In my high school years I came up with my own costumes, usually with my mom's excellent advice. Every Halloween I looked great, thanks to her. I didn't appreciate how much love and effort went into those costumes then, but I do now. It has made my mom very happy that I have taken up sewing and that I sew for my children. I guess what I should do now is sew something for my mom, in thanks to all she did for me! see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-05-2004, 08:29 PM (23 of 26)
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I think that I'm the 4th generation in my family to be a dressmaker. DD is our only child so she is totally spoiled. Vintage Vogue (ala 1940's) is her favorite style. I collect antique and vintage sewing books for inspiration but use modern construction techniques, fabrics and stabilizers. I do love to sew. Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 10-05-2004, 09:27 PM (24 of 26)
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My favorite was one I made for my DD#3 about 8or 9 Yrs ago & it is still being used. We took 2 Hula Hoops covored them in cheap yellow fabric, with fabric paint drew a smiley face on one & the other wrote Smile be happy (yes it was the early 90's) I put straps to go over the shoulders. It has been worn by all ages & in all types of weather. My other cheap favorites were for DD#2 she always wanted something different one year (2nd grade) she was a bulldozer driver like Dad & with the help of her cousin(12 yrs older than her) they fashioned a bulldozer out of a cardboard box ( it kept them busy for weeks) she wore a flannel shirt & jeans. the only problem was it was a windy night & she kept being blown away. Another year she made a table out of a box Covered it with an old tablecloth & set the table with old dishes, made straps for over the shoulders & wore plastic flowers on her head. She was a centerpiece. We have also done ballons in a clear plastic trash bag (Gumball machine). Covered Lg. embroidery hoops with brown mesh cut out yellow petals &glued around the edges, wore a green sweat suit ( sunflower). Or an old prom/ bridesmaid dress & foil covered cardboard crown (princess, Miss america)This was for DD#1. I didn't get quite as creative with the younger 3. They always wanted to be some kind of cartoon character.Youngest was a dalmation once permanent black marker on white sweats, headband with ears attatched & add a tail. I hope this gives some ideas you can use. It was fun remembering now that my youngest is 13 I don't get to do much. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: akire
Date: 10-07-2004, 12:01 PM (25 of 26)
| Great ideas here! Last year my three year old was a spider and I was caught in her web. Was a good laugh. I dressed her in bargain store black clothes, cut a very large piece of cardboard to be four extra legs...I made like an X with a circle in the middle, painted it black, bent the legs in places so they drooped, attached elastic to it so she wore it, then cut four holes in the shirt and put it over top...she wore a black hat too, gloves, anything black I could find. Then I made a huge web out of white pipe cleaners, I wore that draped over my clothes (so that it looked like I was stuck to it...lol) and tied a string from the web to my duaghter. It was easier I think than that might sound. A third person walked with us to help my duaghter. It was great. |
User: akire
Member since: 03-06-2001 Total posts: 61 |
From: aly
Date: 10-07-2004, 08:37 PM (26 of 26)
| One of the cutest ideas I've seen, which wasn't my own, was a woman who bought a white boa (second hand) and sewed it to her little girl's top (wound aroundand around), sewed a stuffed glove to her hat, and the little girl was a fluffy chicken. Even cuter was her 1-year old sister in a yellow boa, who was a little chick. They looked like little fluff balls. |
User: aly
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 35
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