DIY Halloween

With a little over 2 weeks until Halloween, now is the time to start planning and making those costumes. If you give yourself the time to gather all the goods, a handmade costume is really not that tough....even if you do not consider yourself crafty. Besides why buy more NEW things, when there is always something old you can transform.

This is me circa 1978 as a fortune teller. Mom's old scarfs, lots of bangles and a styrofoam ball wrapped in tin foil made for a very authentic gypsy. I am sure my 8 year old theatrics helped embody that character just a little. My mom made the BEST costumes.

...and it was as if I was a fortune teller when I made this Max costume for Nate last year. I am sure you have all seen that the beloved children's book "Where the Wild Things Are" has been made into a movie that opens this Friday. This is a great one for all ages. I used a hooded disposable poly suit that you can find at most hardware stores or ReStore (they are normally used for painting), add the big yellow buttons (made from construction paper), a crown and a scepter and you have your own little wild thing.

Keeping with our story book theme, last year I was Madeline. That sweet French girl in her blue overcoat and big straw hat. Not wanting to buy a big blue coat for the occasion, I hit the thrift stores in search of inspiration. The solution. A graduation gown. Bigger thrift stores like Ragstock have entire rounders filled with gowns in ever color. A scrap of white fabric to cover the tell tale 'graduation' neckline and a big red bow was all it took. Accesorizing with some bobbie socks, mary-janes and that big straw hat (also thrift) and this little girl was ready for the fete. Total cost $7.00.

How about the Travelocity roaming gnome ? An outdated navy trench coat, a poster board cone hat, a buckle made from cardboard and tinfoil and a purchased white beard was all this one took to transform Nate into this ad icon...and his companion, I was his travel journal. 2 used maps decorated with various postcards and an airplane headband. We pulled this one together in 24 hours.

AND....I swear as soon as I found out my sister-in-law was having twins, I couldn't wait to make them Dr. Seuss's Thing 1 and Thing 2. Red leggings and long sleeve tops are easy to find at any big retailer add on a ironable chest number and the hair....I took blue fleece hats from Old Navy and hot glue gunned strips of fly fishing hair in that iconic blue. I Googled bright blue fun fur and it was one of the options. Who knew. I would have never thought of that, but because I gave myself the time, and patience, I was able to get an almost perfect match.

As for other ideas...look to pop culture, movies, books, topics in the news, or just hit the thrift stores. Chances are a skirt, a hat or a prop will start getting those creative juices flowing. Remember, these costumes do not need to last more than a night or two, so if you do not sew, duct tape, Stitch Witchery , hot glue and even staples can serve as great tools to construct your costume. The bottom line is it should be comfy and of course safe for the kiddies.


Need more inspiration, or some great "how-to's" ? check out these sites.

a very cute strong man
PBS Craft Apparent


or your own version of "UP"
Country Living

Homemade costumes can be a great creative outlet for your family, usually very eco friendly (as you are using USED goods), a lot cheaper and of course one of a kind.

Happy Halloween !