Function Loves Form » Halloween Costumes

1st Guest Post. . . Brittney Florence!

Beth — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:27:50 +0000

Let me tell you a little about my cousin, Brittney. First of all, she is beyond creative. It always amazes me how she can make something out of (supposedly) nothing. Her out-of-the-box way of thinking inspires me daily. She made the following costume with things she had around the house and it turned out SO STINKIN CUTE. Secondly, she is the mother to two adorable boys who are so lucky to have a mother like her that makes such cool stuff all the time.

Here are 3 things that I love about Brittney:

She loves to shop at Thrift stores and antique stores. I LOVE going with her to Goodwill.

She is the best person to talk with on the phone. We can talk forever. I can tell her anything.

While growing up, we decided to run away. Our plan was to steal some horses and high-tail it to Oregon. Needless to say, it was never carried out.

She makes AWESOME drinks with her juicer. I am still craving this one: Watermelon raspberry with fresh ginger and mint. YUM!

We went through our last pregnancies together. I have difficult pregnancies, and I cannot tell you how much it helped having her to confide in/complain to/relate to/prepare for. Our sons are 2 weeks apart exactly. That is special to me.

She is as good as any sister I could ever have.

Oops, that is more than three things. I could keep on going and add dozens more, but I’ll let her take it from here.

Here’s how I made it…

The pants are made of an old t-shirt. I just made a simple “drawstring pj’ pattern from one of his other pair of pants. To do that you just turn them inside out and trace on a piece of paper

I used one of Drew’s old dress shirts to make the shirt. I used one of his long sleeved shirts for a pattern. I cut down the front to make the “V” shape. Then a sewed strips of the extra fabric on in rows and frayed to make the ruffles.

The vest is made of extra curtain fabric, and once again, I just used one of his t-shirts for a template (took off the sleeves). I cut down the center and folded the corners to make the lapel. Then I painted it and put some felt on for a belt and buckle.

The hat is just extra t-shirt material with a felt skull I stitched on. I also made one for his baby brother who will just wear a onsie.

Pretty easy (FREE) and fun!

And so so cute. Brittney is also a photographer and has her own business. She does amazing work and has the most reasonable prices you’ll find. Check out her site HERE.

Project Update

Beth — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:10:32 +0000

Here are the costumes, they are pretty much done. I might do a little tweaking here and there, but this is pretty much it. Ella picked out the horse fabric, she LOVES it. And Rory is obsessed with how soft the fake-suede feels. I figured it up and it cost me a whopping 11 dollars to make all three costumes. Ella already has cowgirl boots, and a hat, so that is taken care of, and I think I will just glue some fringe onto some old flip-flops for Rory’s moccasins. Oh, and the fun part will be making stick horses. (post on that later). Expect a photo of all three of them decked out after Halloween.

My next sewing project will consist of this pattern (from goodwill) I just love it. Hopefully I can wing it, I’ve never sewed a dress for myself before.

Here is the fabric that I found (also at Goodwill) it is about 4 yards that I got for 2.99. Can’t beat that. I think it is so cute. Navy blue with pink polka-dots.

Wish me luck, the dress looks a little complicated. But if it turns out it will be my favorite dress ever!

Halloween Costume Tradition

Beth — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:55:53 +0000

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

Martha Stewart Online

Rookiemoms.com

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!