Loading ...Halloween Costume Tradition
When Ella was one and Rory was not yet one I decided I was going to make their halloween costumes. But what should they be? And could I swing it? I had meager sewing skills and little money to buy fabric, so I had to be creative. I went to the good ol’ Ottawa, KS Walmart and found a pattern on sale for 99 cents (which happened to be just what I was looking for), then rummaged through the sale fabric bin for what I needed. I found some red felt and some soft white fabric for cheap, and “splurged” on the trim buying it at full price. It took me a while to figure out the patterns, but I really was pleased with the finished result.
Every year since then I have made the girls costumes, pretty much the same way. Looking for bargain patterns and fabric, and splurging a little bit on the details. Of course, you don’t have to use a pattern at all to make your own costume. You can improvise with things found at secondhand stores, or even old clothes in your closet. I love the look of home-made costumes, they are filled with charm and character and all the things that I love. Plus, every year the girls get so excited as they help me to pick out the pattern, fabric and accessories for their costume and see it slowly come together.
Rory as Dorothy
Ella as Glinda the Good Witch
As Tinkerbell and Snow White
This year Rory wanted to be an Indian and Ella a cowgirl. (we went pattern browsing shortly after they watched the Disney movie Spirit for the first time- ha.) After convincing Jared that it would be okay and not completely politically incorrect for Rory to be dressed in Native American garb, I started my bargain hunting. I got one pattern on sale at the new Hobby Lobby (LOVE IT) for 99 cents. I lucked out and found the Cowgirl skirt/vest/chaps pattern t(hat was not on sale) for 25 cents at Goodwill. Then the Wal-mart near my home decided they were not going to sell fabric anymore and put all of their stuff 50-75 percent off, so I again lucked out and got most of the fabric I needed (and trim) to finish the costumes for super-cheap. Today while the girls were at preschool, I cut out all the fabric and got it ready for sewing. I will post the costumes’ progress and the finished project, I am so excited already! Plus, this year Hudson gets to join in the fun as a ‘lil buckeroo. (I am just modifying Ella’s pattern to fit him.)
Here are some sites that offer really good ideas for Halloween costumes if you are looking for something cheap and easy to make.
Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas
And of course, I’d love to hear any ideas or things you’ve done in the past to make a homemade or semi-homemade costume!
Jared is a Cordon Bleu trained chef and a lover of food.
Beth holds a Bachelor's degree in painting and needs to write something else here.
Aww they will be so cute! I was trying to think of what Carter could be for Halloween. He has what looks like a receding hairline, and a big belly, so who else could he be other than Grandpa??? So he will dress up in a little pocket t-shirt (onesie!) and jeans. I have to find glasses, though. Any other ideas to “enhance” the Grandpa Allen image?
You should have him hold a toy dog that looks like Petey. that would be great.