This year, due to a general time crunch this month, I almost bought our costumes. I say almost, because I actually took the girls (for the first time ever) to look at the costume aisle. And then I regretted it… too many flimsy costumes labeled $20 and $30! Granted, if you buy a $50 one it may last a while, but for a one-time use costume, I have a hard time justifying the cost. I’d rather spend more on fabric to make a quality costume!
Now, I know how this sounds. And I know a lot of you buy costumes. (Namely some of my good friends.) So hang in there! I’m not stuck up, or a super mom – trust me! Purchased costumes are amazing, fast and glittery and generally look way more pulled together than my versions. But since my job is to sew, I am going to sew my kids’ Halloween costumes! (And hope they don’t hate them.)
This year I accidentally leaned heavily on a few of my favorite bloggers for costume help. While trudging through the masses of online “easy”, “quick” and “handmade” costume tutorials I came to a list featured on the DIY Network that I thought would work. My kids picked their favorites and I was so pleased to see that they were written by two bloggers that I follow regularly! Simple Simon and Company wrote the Black Cat tutorial, and Jess Abbott from the Sewing Rabbit wrote instructions for the Garden Fairy.
I won’t elaborate too much on the construction of them, due to the time crunch I mentioned earlier, and the fact that I have now clogged this post with way too many photos! Suffice it to say they were fast and now they are finished! One night’s work last Tuesday, since (procrastinating as usual, of course) the girls needed them on Wednesday for their Ballet class party. I was also fortunate that this Halloween they wore them 3 times, and I know they will live in the dress-up box for years to come. The amortization on them is worth it alone!
If you would like to see more handmade costumes, you can also find Cinderella, Pirate Princess and Izzy (Jake & the Neverland Pirates), Princess Leia and Little Red Riding Hood.
What do you think?How do you feel about premade costumes… hate ’em or love ’em?!
These look great!! Not a huge fan of premade costumes either. I used to make all my son’s costumes, but since the boys are no longer trick or treating, not much call for it. But I made hubby’s costume this year too. A big black robe with a hood and enormous sleeves on it – he went to work as Darth Maul. The pattern was very simple and it can be reused for lots of other costumes.
Darth Maul would be so much fun! I should suggest that to my husband. Good call! Love that it can be reused a lot. 🙂
The girls are adorable and the cat really loves the camera LOL! I have bought costumes in the past and I have also made them, and personally I would rather sew them if I have the time because the quality doesn’t compare. And like you said, the costumes will go into the dress up box after that.
Hee Hee! Thanks Laura! She was determined to look “like a cat”, ha! I like that line you have there about “if I have the time” – it’s so true. That’s why ours were less involved this year too. No good doing it if it drains you to do it.
Great photo shoot!! Your daughters are beautiful and playing their costume roles so perfectly!!! Love the costumes!!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Michele! 🙂 SO glad you like it. We’re having to be more creative now that the weather doesn’t allow us to be outside as much!
They look so cute! Well done!
Awww. Thanks Mirjam! They had a lot of fun too – which was great 🙂
LOVE homemade costumes! I think that’s half the fun of Halloween 🙂
Yay! It’s so true Amanda! I’m hoping one year we can dress up from the expansive dress-up box, since we have so much there already! I love mix and match costumes too 🙂